BISHOP’S UNIVERSITY

LENNOXVILLE, QUEBEC

FALL 2005

 

PHYSICS 111 A09

PHYSICS OF EVERYDAY PHENOMENA

 

INSTRUCTOR:         Professor K. Jaffer

TIME:            Mondays 6:30-9:30 pm

ROOM:          J20

TEXT: How Things Work: The Physics of Everyday Life (2nd Ed.) by Louis A. Bloomfield

 

SYNOPSIS:                This course is designed to meet the needs of non-science students by providing them with a practical introduction to physics and science as it is applies to everyday life. Students are assumed to have no background in math or science. By allowing students to practice science through practical demonstrations of physical phenomena and engaging in small-group inquiry and discussion, they will learn to think logically when solving problems, enhance their scientific literacy, and develop their physical intuition.

NOTE:                        For Science Majors, this course counts as an optional elective (it is NOT a science credit).

 

ASSIGNMENTS:      Weekly assignments and in-class projects will test concepts illustrated in class, and allow students to discover new and interesting applications.  No extensions will be granted.

 

MINOR PROJECT: Each student will be required to submit a 1200-1500 word paper on a subject to be assigned individually in the 2nd lecture.

 

MAJOR PROJECT: You will work in groups of two to produce a poster display with accompanying 5 page summary on an application of physics found in everyday life.  A list of suggested topics will be given.

 

MARKING:               [1]        Assignments:     30%     [2]        Assignments:     15%

                                                Minor Project:  10%                 Minor Project:  10%

                                                Major Project:  15%                 Major Project:  15%

                                                Midterm:          15%                 Midterm:          20%

                                                Final Exam:       30%                 Final Exam:       40%

 

ATTENDANCE:        Attendance is mandatory for the midterm and final exams, and is highly encouraged for all lectures.

WEBPAGE:               http://physics.ubishops.ca/kjaffer

CONTACT INFO:     Johnson 1 (J1), x2482

                                    kjaffer@ubishops.ca

OFFICE HOURS & PHYSICS HELP ROOM:       Posted on J1 and on the website.

CLASS SCHEDULE

PHYSICS 111 A09

 

Week

Date

Topic

Sub-Topics

Reading

Due/In-Class (IC)

1

Sept 12

Building a Foundation

·         What is Physics?

·         Scientific Process

·         Types of Forces

·         Laws of Motion

1.1-1.3

IC Survey

2

Sept 19

Balance & Spin

·         Momentum

·         Centre of Mass

·         Rotation

2.1-2.3

Assignment 1

3

Sept 26

Accelerate Your Understanding

·         Gravitation

·         Circular Motion

3.1-3.4

IC Project 1

Assignment 2

4

Oct 3

Under Water, Over Land & Sea

·         Buoyancy

·         Theory of Flight

·         Lift / Drag

4.1-4.2

5.1-5.3

IC Project 2

Assignment 3

5

Oct 10

THANKSGIVING

---

---

---

6

Oct 17

Heat & The Automobile

·         Thermal Energy

·         Cycles

·         Engines

6.1-6.4

IC Project 3

Assignment 4

7

Oct 24

Periodic Motion & Sound

·         Pendulum

·         Can You Hear Me Now?

·         Physics of Music

7.1-7.3

Minor Project

8

Oct 31

Midterm

·         Video

---

---

9

Nov 7

Demonstrations

·         Exploring Physics

---

---

10

Nov 14

Electricity & Magnetism

·         Charges, Forces

·         Currents

·         Levitation

8.1-8.3

9.1-9.3

IC Project 4

11

Nov 21

Electronics

·         Everyday Wonders

·         E-M Waves

10.1-10.3

11.1-11.3

Assignment 5

12

Nov 28

Lights, Camera, Action!

·         Nature of Light

·         Optics

12.1-12.3

13.1-13.2

IC Project 5

Assignment 6

13

Dec 5

Energy & The Environment

·         Energy Sources

·         Environmental Effects

·         Review

---

Major Project