Alexios P. Polychronakos

Marshak Science Building, Room 312C

TEL:  212-650-5536

FAX:  212-650-6940

alexios@sci.ccny.cuny.edu

http://mail.sci.ccny.cuny.edu/~alexios/default.html

PHYSICS 207PP

SYLLABUS, Fall 2007

 

READ CAREFULLY AND SAVE THIS INFORMATION

 

Office hours: Monday and Wednesday 11:00-12:00, or by appointment as needed. Call or leave an email message. Unscheduled visits are not guaranteed audition!

 

Material: Mechanics, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics at an “enhanced” level: the treatment will be more in-depth and with more math than in standard 207 sections.

 

Textbook: Physics for Scientists and Engineers (Vol. 1), by Serway and Jewett (7th ed.)

 

Prerequisites: Math 202: a good knowledge of algebra and some knowledge of calculus

 

Course objectives: At the end of this course, you should be able to: recognize and use SI units; use vectors and their components; understand the relationship between position, velocity, acceleration and time in the motion of objects; understand the concepts of force and equilibrium and their relation to Newton’s laws of motion; understand and use the concepts of energy, including kinetic and potential, and apply the principle of energy conservation; understand the concepts of momentum and impulse and use the principle of momentum conservation; understand the description of rotating bodies and the concept of torque as applied to equilibrium of bodies; understand the concept of angular momentum and apply its conservation; understand gravitational interactions and their relation to satellite motion and Kepler’s laws; understand simple harmonic motion; understand and use the principles of fluid mechanics as applied to buoyancy and fluid flow; understand the concepts of temperature and heat; understand and use the first and second laws of thermodynamics involving the concepts of work, heat and internal energy.

 

Study plan:  You should attend lectures, solve problems as suggested in class and review the necessary material from the book or your notes. Do not fall behind, as this will compromise your understanding of material to come and may precipitate serious difficulty with the course. Ask questions! Ask me during class if anything is unclear, or whenever you have an idea. If you have serious problems arrange to see me.

 

Structure of lectures: Lectures will cover theory, work out examples and solve problems as needed. There will be no strict separation between “lecture” and “recitation” sessions. Here is a tentative* schedule

Week of             Topic                                         Week of               Topic

08/27              Chapters 1 & 2

10/22              Chapters 12 & 13

09/03              Chapters 3 & 4

10/29              Review; Chapter 14

09/10              Chapter 5

11/05              Chapters 15 & 16

09/17              Chapter 6

11/12              Chapters 17 & 18

09/24              Chapters 7 & 8           

11/19              Review; Chapter 19

10/01               Chapters 9 & 10

11/26              Chapters 20 & 21

10/08              Review; MIDTERM

12/03              Chapter 22

10/15              Chapters 11 & 12

12/10              Review, Overview

 

Attendance, Homework, Lab: A roll call will take place and you are strongly advised to attend all lectures. There will be assigned homework for credit on a weekly basis, due on Thursday of the week next to the assignment. Late homework may be accepted for partial credit at the instructor’s discretion. To pass the course you must also receive a “Pass” grade in the Lab section (see separate Lab rules sheet).

 

Class Behavior and Cheating: You are expected to act responsibly and follow the rules of the course as well as those of civility. This includes the courtesy of not talking, acting disruptively or engaging in extracurricular activities during lectures (reading newspapers, using laptops or cell phones, sleeping etc.) and of behaving to the lecturer and your fellow students politely. No food can be taken in the classroom, but I will allow drinking non-alcoholic drinks, especially caffeinated! Cheating under any circumstances is a very serious offence and will precipitate severe academic consequences.

 

Exams: One Midterm exam and one comprehensive Final.

 

1.      Exam Structure: Exams are open book:  you are permitted to bring with you your books, notes, calculator, slide rule, abacus, ouija board or anything else you wish. Communication during the exam is strictly forbidden: no talking, exchanging material or calculators, wireless devices, sign language, ESP etc.

2.      Questions During Exams: For clarifications on what is being asked raise your hand. No help or hints on how to solve the problems will be provided.

3.      Missing an Exam: For absence due to serious medical or family emergency and documented to be truly unavoidable, a make-up exam could be given that will be no easier than the regular exam.  It is to your advantage to be there in the first place.

4.      Etiquette: Show up on time for the exam. Please take care of your needs beforehand, and avoid asking to use the bathroom during the exam.

 

Grades: Your letter grade will be based on a numerical score to be computed as follows: Homework and Attendance 20%, Midterm 30%, Final 50%. No single exam will guarantee your passing the course, so you are strongly advised to participate in all of the above evaluations.

 

*NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to make changes during the semester as he sees fit, announced as they occur. It is the students’ responsibility to remain informed about the course and be alert of any changes or new information.

 

 

 

Sample Problems 1               Sample Problems 2               Sample Problems 3