Principles of Physics
Syllabus for Physics 152
Summer 2009


Instructor:  Mr. Dick Tinder
Email:  dick.tinder@simpson.edu
Home Phone:  (515) 848-5078 (7:30AM – 9:00PM)
Office hours:  Monday through Thursday afternoons by arrangement, and before class daily.

Class meetings:  Class meets Monday through Friday from 9:00AM to 12:30PM, July 6 to August 7.  Lecture/discussion will meet in Carver Science 312.  Labs will be in CS 105.

Text:  College Physics, by Knight, Jones, and Field.

Other materials:  Please bring a scientific calculator and text to class each day.

Course objectives:  To understand the fundamental laws and principles of classical physics, investigate applications of these laws and principles to the physical and biological world, develop proficiency in problem solving using algebra and trigonometry, and to understand the basics of laboratory measurement and the graphical analysis of data.

Grading:  Based on a 10-point percentage scale (e.g. 90–100% = A, 80– 89% = B, etc.)  Exams will be “curved” when appropriate.  Final grade distribution is as follows:

                   Daily chapter assignments        15%
                   Laboratory reports                    20%
                   Five exams and quizzes            65%
                   Total                                        100%

Exams:  A one-hour exam will be given each Friday.  Questions will be based on both class work and chapter assignments with an emphasis on problem solving.  The best way to prepare for the exams is to read assigned portions of your book, attend class and attempt all homework assigned.

Daily assignments:  Assignments for grade will normally be given on a daily basis. These may include both homework and in-class work.  To receive full credit on graded assignments, quantitative problems should include a figure showing given data, begin with fundamental principles or equations, clearly and neatly show all significant steps of your work, and give a clear contextualized final answer with appropriate units.  Quantitative problems must use proper mathematical “grammar” and any written explanations should be in complete sentences.
        Keep in mind that your assignments are a written communication of your knowledge. You are not graded simply on your final answer but on the entire presentation of your solution.
        Unless otherwise stated, homework assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned due date.  Collaboration on homework is expected.  However, for the graded portion of the assignments, each person must be sure to turn in his or her own work.  Students turning in identical or overly similar papers will each receive a substantially reduced grade.  Continued infractions may result in course failure without the possibility of withdrawal.

Late submission of assignments:  I reserve the right to reject or to reduce credit for late assignments.  Normally, homework for grade will be reviewed at the next class meeting.  After an assignment has been graded and returned to the class, a late submission will not be accepted.

Attendance policy:  Attendance will be noted, but not explicitly factored into your grade.  However, consistency in attendance and daily assignments may be considered in determining a borderline grade.

Excused absences:  Whenever possible, absences should be arranged in advance.  Whenever class is missed it is the student’s responsibility to find out what was missed and to initiate any make-up work. (Please send an e-mail or call me.)

Laboratory Assignments:  There will be two or three laboratory assignments per week.  Handouts describing each lab will be provided at each laboratory session.  Labs will be conducted in Carver Science room 105.  Unless instructed otherwise, each person is to turn in his or her own report upon completion of the lab exercise.  If you do not complete the lab assignment by the end of the assigned lab period, you should make arrangements with the instructor for completing the assignment before leaving the laboratory. Please make every effort to attend labs, as making them up is very inconvenient for both student and instructor.


Professor Olsgaard has suggested the following schedule of chapters from Knight, Jones, and Field.  We will try to cover this material in the short time we have.  Specific topics and chapter sections to be announced:

    Week of:    July    6    Oscillation and Waves          Ch. 14, 15 and 16

            July    13    Light and Optics                            Ch. 17, 18 and 19

            July    20    Charge and Electric Fields             Ch. 20 and 21

            July    27    Electric Currents                            Ch. 22, 23 and 26

            Aug.    3    Electromagnetism                           Ch. 24 and 25