PHYS 50 - General Physics: Newtonian Mechanics

Instructor: Dr. Ray Kwok
Lectures: Section # 6, MWF 10:30 - 11:20 am (SCI 253)
Office Hours: MWF 11:20 am – 12:20 pm, Thur 5:45 - 6:45 pm (Engr)
Office: SCI 310
Phone: (408) 924-5252
Email: raymond.kwok@sjsu.edu
Textbook: University Physics, Young and Freedman (Addison-Wesley)

Course Description:

This course is the first semester in the calculus-based University Physics for science and engineering majors. It covers Classical Newtonian Mechanics, Particle Kinematics and dynamics, work and energy, linear momentum, rotational motion, Fluid Dynamics, Vibrations, Sound and Waves.

References:

• Physics, Halliday & Resnick (Wiley & Sons)
• Lectures on Physics, Richard Feynman, (Addison-Wesley)

Prerequisite:

Math 30/30P. Familiar with Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry and Calculus are essential.

Tentative topics:

Tentative topics is listed in my web site under PHYS 50. The list is intended to help students to prepare and review lectures, and not to encourage students to miss classes. Students are responsible for any material presented in lectures even though it might not be on the list.

Homework

There is a homework due every week. Students are encouraged to work in groups. Late homework is accepted with penalty.
Online homework : Mastering Physics. Details to be announced in class. More information at "Lecture Slides".

Lab:

Each student must enroll in one section of the Physics 50 Laboratory. The lab grade will be based on your lab reports and lab quizzes. You MUST pass the Laboratory to pass this course.

Workshop:

Students are required to enroll in a 1-unit workshop Phys 50W in the same semester they are taking the lecture and lab. The workshop was designed to help students understand the concepts better and be able to practice with additional exercises in a small group setting.

Grading:

homework 10%, quizzes 10%, Lab (passing grade), 2 mid-term each 25%, final 30%

Final Letter grades will be assigned roughly according to the following percentage of maximum points earned as long as you pass the Laboratory section as well.

• A 80% or above
• B 65 - 80%
• C 50 - 65%
• D 35 - 50%
• F below 35%

 

Calendar:

9/2 Mon No School - Labor Day
10/7 Mon Mid-Term 1 (tentatively)
11/11 Mon No School - Veterans' Day
11/18 Mon Mid-Term 2 (tentatively)
11/28-29 No School - Thanksgiving
12/17 Tue Final Exam 9:45 am - noon

Academic Integrity Statement:

From the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development: "Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University, and the University's Academic Integrity Policy, require you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development." The policy on academic integrity.

Honor Code:

"I have read the Honor Code and agree with its provisions. My continued enrollment in this course constitutes full acceptance of this code. I will NOT:

1. Take an exam in place of someone else, or have someone take an exam in my place
2. Give information or receive information from another person during an exam
3. Use more reference material during an exam than is allowed by the instructor
4. Obtain a copy of an exam prior to the time it is given
5. Alter an exam after it has been graded and then return it to the instructor for re-grading
6. Leave the exam room without returning the exam to the instructor."

Disabilities:

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities register with the Disabilities Resource Center (DRC) to establish a record of their disability.

College & Department Policies:

You are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drops, academic renewal, withdrawals, incompletes, classroom behavior, and other policies described in the catalog. Please read your catalog thoroughly. We will review the evacuation plan for this classroom during the first class meeting.

For More Information, contact:

Ray Kwok at SJSU
rkwok@sjsu.edu