Physics 104
General Physics - Spring 2003

Prerequisites:

• Physics 103 or equivalent.

Materials Needed:

• Text: Serway & Faughn, College Physics (Vol 2), Brooks/Cole, sixth edition.
• Physics 104 Lab manual (available at University Book Store).
• Lab notebook: preferably spiral-bound with cross-hatched ruling.  Bring to first laboratory meeting (week of Jan 27).
• Calculator: preferably with trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions.  Know how to use it, and make sure batteries are charged for exams.

Lectures:

• 1:20 and 2:25 pm MW in 1300 Sterling Hall (You may attend either or both lectures.)
• Prof. Clint Sprott (3285 Chamberlin, 263-4449, ([email protected]) and Prof. Mark Rzchowski (B301B Sterling, 265-2876), ([email protected]).
• The lectures supplement but do not substitute for the reading.
• Read the assigned material before lecture.

Discussion sections:

• Your discussion section will be led by your TA who will be your prime contact and source of assistance.
• General questions about the homework are allowed before it is due, but don't expect your TA to work out the solutions for you in advance.
• Quizzes will occasionally be given and will count toward your grade.

Electronic Aids:

• All of the instructors are available by e-mail, and there is an e-mail list for the entire class that will occasionally be used for important announcements.
• The course has a home page on the World Wide Web at http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/phys104/ where you will find up-to-date course information and links to useful resources.
• The textbook publisher (Brooks/Cole) has a Web site at http://www.brookscole.com/physics/ with sample solutions, practice exercises and tests.

Laboratory:

• Follow the instructions in the laboratory manual.
• The experiments are to be written up during the laboratory period in the lab notebook.
• The lab notebook is not to be taken from the lab except with permission of your instructor.
• The laboratory grade will be based on your participation in the lab, your lab notebook, and on a quiz given at the beginning of the following lab period.
• You may use only your lab notebook, not the lab manual for the quiz.
• You are expected to do all the labs, and you may not pass the course if you fail to make up any missed labs.

Homework:

• The homework problems are assigned in the syllabus for each week and should be handed in to your TA at the first discussion of the following week. They will be returned to you in the second discussion.
• Put your name, your TA's name, and your section number on your homework.
• Late problem sets will not be accepted.
• Homework will count toward your grade.
• Feel free to discuss the homework with others, but make sure the paper you turn in is not simply copied from someone else.
• The solutions will be discussed in your discussion section and placed on the Web and on reserve in the Physics Library (4220 Chamberlin).

Hour Exams:

• Exams will be given at 5:45 - 7 pm on the following Thursday evenings (room to be announced):

February 20	Chapters 15-18
March 27	Chapters 19-22
April 24	Chapters 23-26

• If you have a conflict with any of these exam dates or with the final exam, you must notify your TA during the first two weeks of class.
• The exams will be closed book, but you will be allowed one 8.5 x 11-inch sheet of paper on which you may write (no machine copying) anything you wish (both sides).
• Solutions will be discussed, and answers will be placed on the Web and on reserve in the Physics Library (4220 Chamberlin).

Final Exam:

• The final exam will be at 5:05 pm on Thursday, May 15 (room to be announced).
• It will cover the entire course (Chapters 15-30) with equal weight.
• You will be allowed two 8.5 x 11-inch sheets of notes.

Grading:

• The course grade will be made up of the following components:

3 hour exams	300 points
Final exam	200 points
Laboratory	100 points
Homework/discussion	100 points
TOTAL	700 points

• Lab and discussion grades will be assigned by your TA and will be normalized to the average of the hour exams.
• Letter grades will be assigned based on the total number of points accumulated.

Consultation Room:

• Room 2402 Sterling is staffed by TA's from Physics 104 for 16 hours of the week.
• See the schedule card on the door and on the Web.
• You may ask questions of any of the TA's or come during the hours that your TA is there.
• You may also make an appointment with your TA at any mutually convenient time and place.

Study Groups:

• You are encouraged to form study groups in which you jointly work the homework and prepare for exams.
• If you don't know anyone in the class with whom you would like to study, you can leave your name and e-mail address at http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/phys104/studygrp.htm.

Alternate References:

• To see the same topics explained differently, try the following on reserve in the Physics Library (4220 Chamberlin):
• Blatt, Principles of Physics, 3rd edition
• Cutnell and Johnson, Physics, 4th edition
• Giancoli, Physics, 4th edition
• Jones and Childers, Contemporary College Physics, 2nd edition

General Advice:

• Physics is not something you read and memorize, rather it is something you learn how to do.
• Try the following study procedure:
1. Read the chapter prior to lecture, so that you will know what it's about.
2. Listen carefully to the lecture and take notes.
3. This is crucial: Do not go back and read and re-read the chapter until you "understand it." Rather, start working problems, going back through the chapter to clarify points as they come up.

Final exam Thursday, May 15, 5:05 pm, Chapters 15-30 (room to be announced).

• Course Instructors
• Consultation Room Schedule
• Open Discussion Sessions
• Study Group Candidates
• Lecture Demonstrations
• Publisher's Web site
• Homework and exam solutions
• Hour Exam Rooms and Procedures
• Final Exam Rooms and Procedures
• Practice Exams
• Exam Grades
• Comments on Grading
• A Statement about Academic Misconduct
• Extended Access to Student Information
• Greater University Tutoring Service (GUTS)
• Physics Department Home Page
• UW Physics Club