PHY 115 Technical Physics

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CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

The goal of this course is to understand important concepts such as velocity, acceleration, momentum, force, torque, pressure, energy, power, heat, temperature, sound, light, electricity, and magnetism by means of student centered hands-on activities and labs. For example, the conversion of energy from one form to another is studied in many different applied lab exercises. Mechanical energy is converted to electrical energy using a wind generator. Thermal energy is converted to electrical energy using a thermocouple. Students learn to develop simulations and models of mechanical and electrical systems using software such as "Interactive Physics" and "MultiSim (Electronic Workbench)". The course makes extensive use of microcomputer based lab equipment (MBL) such as the PASCO 750 interface and DataStudio software. Students learn to use Excel spreadsheets to analyize data and make graphs of experimental results.

Co requisite: MAT 112 Algebra and Trigonometry

Class Hours:

3

Lab Hours:

2

Credit Hours:

4
Prof. Davis INSTRUCTOR: Doyle V. Davis
OFFICE : Room 136
Phone: 603 752-1113x1360
email: ddavis@nhctc.edu

TEXTBOOK:
How Things Work - The Physics of Everyday Life, 2nd Ed. by Louis Bloomfield
John Wiley,  ISBN 0-471-38151-9

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

As a result of this course the student will be able to:

Use standard measuring instruments commonly found in the laboratory including scales, balances, analog and digital multi meters, data loggers, signal generators and oscilloscopes.

Use common microcomputer laboratory interfaces (MBL)such as the PASCO, Texas Instrument CBL, and Vernier probes and instrumentation to gather displacement, velocity, acceleration, temperature, voltage, light intensity, and pressure data from various sensors and probes.

Use spreadsheets to analyze data taken in physics experiments and produce tables and graphs as part of a laboratory report produced using one of several popular "Office Suite" packages.

Learn to take a systems approach in solving problems. In other words, the student will learn that the equivalent of current flow (amps) in an electrical system is fluid flow (cubic meters per sec, gpm) in a hydraulic system. That a thermal gradient in a heat transfer problem has as its counterpart a voltage gradient in a current flow problem or a pressure gradient in a hydraulic system. The student will learn to identify a system as to its type such as thermo-electrical, electro-mechanical, hydro-electrical, or electro-optical.

Use Knowledge Revolution's "Interactive Physics" software to simulate and model physics problems.

Gain experience working in a team, analyzing a problem, and creating a written and oral presentation of the problem's best possible solution.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

Learning activities will include:

  1. Homework problems and short quizzes
  2. Use of laser videodisc and CD-ROM instructional media
  3. Use of microcomputer based instrumentation to acquire data from experiments
  4. Use of multi-meters to measure resistance, voltage, and current
  5. Use of an oscilloscope and signal generator to make frequency and amplitude measurements.
  6. Use of spreadsheet and word-processing software to produce reports and laboratory experiments.
  7. Designing and simulating a mechanical system using software such as "Interactive Physics" and an electrical system using MultiSim (Electronic Workbench)

ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND GRADING POLICY:

 Chapter Tests
Exams are given over each chapter covered in the course to assess the student's current understanding of the material. The major purpose of these exams is to discover areas of weakness where improvement is needed. Each exam will usually consist of two parts. Part 1 is a "closed book" exam in which students may not use their books. Definitions of terms and conceptual questions usually form the majority of questions on this part of the exam. Part 2 is an "open book" exam in which students may use their books to solve problems related to things they have studied. The average of the major exams will count 30% of the total grade. At the end of the semester, students may retest over the two lowest test scores in an effort to improve their test average.

Short Quizzes
A series of weekly short quizzes and/or homework assignments are given to assess student comprehension of topics recently covered in the course. The average of the short quizzes will count 20% of the total grade. The lowest short quiz is dropped before the SQ average is calculated.

Lab Activities
Each week, students will do a lab-activity. These activities will include (but not limited to) the design and simulation of a mechanical system using software such as "Interactive Physics", setting up some simple electric circuits and measuring resistance, current, and voltage across such circuits, measuring the frequency and amplitude of a sine wave using an oscilloscope, and making measurements of acceleration, velocity, distance traveled, voltage, temperature, light intensity, and pressure using sensors and probes from a microcomputer based laboratory (MBL) interface. The average of the hands-on lab activities will count 25% of the total grade. There is no make-up for a lab that a student misses without an excuse. (See Class Attendance Policy below.)

Final Exam
Students will be given a final exam at the end of the course to assess their comprehension of the topics covered in the course. This comprehensive final exam will count for 25% the total grade.

Calculating the final numerical grade average:

Example: Suppose the average of the major exams a student has taken is 80. Since the major exams count as 30% of the grade, take 80 and multiply by 0.30. Now let's say the student has a 70 short quiz/homework average. Since the short quizzes count for 20 % of grade, take 70 and multiply by 0.20. Let's assume the student received a 80 on the Lab Activities. Since this counts for 25% of the grade, we multiply 80 by 0.25. Finally, suppose the student receives a 80 on the final exam. Take 80 and multiply it by 0.25 since the final exam counts for 80% of the total grade.

The total points which have earned is therefore:

80(0.30) + 70(0.20) + 80(0.25) + 80(0.25) = 20 + 7 + 36 + 20 = 78.

The total numerical average is 78 which is a letter grade of C+. A summary of the final numerical average and corresponding letter grade appears in the table below.


Final Average      Grade
>93     A
90-92     A-
87-89     B+
83-86     B
80-82     B-
77-79     C+
73-76     C
70-72     C-
67-69     D+
63-66     D
60-62     D-
0 - 59     F

SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS:

  1. NO FOOD OR BEVERAGES ARE PERMITTED IN LECTURE ROOMS AND LABORATORIES ! In your student handbook you will find the statement "Food and beverages are allowed in the cafeteria and student lounge only." Please respect this rule. The physics and computer lecture / laboratory rooms contain computers and electronics equipment which can be seriously damaged if exposed to liquids and food particles. There is also the potential risk of fire and/or electrocution if such equipment is accidentally short-circuited by spilled beverages and foods.

  2. A scientific calculator is required. It is strongly recommended that you get a graphing calculator such as the TI-82, TI-83, TI-85 or TI-86 or equivalent.

DISABILITIES SERVICES

If you have a documented disability which may affect your performance in this course, please advise the instructor immediately so appropriate accommodations may be put in place. Accommodations may be arranged through the Disabilities Service Coordinator in room #104. Accommodations and assistive technology are available to students at no additional cost and should be accessed at the beginning of each semester.

CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Class Attendance is not required, however, failure to attend class regularly will cause you to miss important material, assignments, and labs which often can not be made up. This will result in poor performance on tests and the final exam. 
  1. If a student misses class for three consecutive weeks, the student will be dropped from the class and receive an AW grade.

  2. Your instructor in this course is under no obligation to provide makeup of lectures, hands-on activities, quizzes, tests or other information missed due to an unexcused absence.

  3. College-sponsored events such as field trips and athletic games are considered excused absences; coursework, tests, and quizzes may be made up.

  4. Students receiving financial aid or veterans benefits may be expected to attend class regularly as a condition of receiving such aid. Verification may be requested by the aid source.

Remember that the course consists of two seventy-five minute sections of lecture, demonstrations, and computer activities plus a two-hour lab each week. The line between lecture and hands-on activities constantly changes. Some classes may begin with a hands-on activity while others may start with a brief lecture or short quiz. Since this course meets only twice a week, it is very important not to miss a single class or lab. Missing a lab is equivalent to missing a class.

Send E-Mail to Doyle Davis    Class Schedule for Prof. Davis


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