Welcome to Physics 121!

This is the first quarter of the so-called calculus-based introductory physics sequence. The course will cover all the main topics in classical mechanics of point-like and extended objects. While the course will use extensively vectors, algebra and trigonometry, it will use only simple calculus operations which will be introduced during class periods.  The course will cover the material in the first 14 chapters of the text (some at the speed of light!). Check the schedule and updates.

This course has four components (lectures, tutorials and tutorial homework, lab and lab reports, and computerized (Tycho) homework) which cover in general terms the same material, but in detail, form, and sometimes timing may be different. Attendance to labs and tutorials is mandatory (see grading policy). Attendance to lecture is not mandatory, but attending and participating in class will add "bonus" points to your grade, as specified below.

Every lecture will be partially interactive, using the ITT remote response system. The answers you provide to lecture questions will be kept and checked, except for the ones on the first two lectures until everyone is familiar with the system. The usual format will be: a) A relatively simple question will be posed in writing, b) Multiple choice answers (up to 5) will be offered, c) The class has 3 minutes (or less, depending on complexity) to figure out what the answer is, collaboration with neighbors is strongly encouraged, d) Students individually record their choices by pointing their hand-held "clickers" to one of the detectors in the lecture hall, the screen (like a scoreboard) should record you answered under your assumed name, e) When the time period expires a bar graph of the answers will be displayed, and f) The lecturer will explain either why the right answer is right, and/or why some of the wrong answers are wrong. The system automatically saves the responses. Whether you answer right or wrong will have a small impact on your grade.

The grading policy for this course has been setup by a Departmental committee (not by the current instructor), and are calculated by combining scores from the best 2 out of three midterms, the final exam, lab grades, tutorial grades, and Tycho homework grades. Grading is done on a curve, with the mean grade for the class around 2.7 to 2.8. For a very detailed description of the Phys 12X grading policy please go to http://www.phys.washington.edu/courses/intro/12x/Winter06//

and check on the Grading Policy statement. I am responsible for collecting the grades from all the component of the course and recording your final grade. Problems with exam grades or final course grade should be directed to me, and I'll track the source of the problem.

Participation in class by using the clickers will be rewarded as follows. Every clicker correct answer will be assigned 2 points, and every incorrect answer 1 point. After assigning a grade as per Departmental policy, a bonus of 0.1 real grade points will be added to those students with more than 75% of the maximum possible "clicker" points, and 0.5 real points to those students with scores between 50% and 75% of the maximum possible score. These are the only two options, which allow for missing a few classes due to illness or travelling.

Please be aware of the following components of your grade:

Three closed-book midterms as per schedule. Physics is a "cumulative" body of knowledge, so although tests will emphasize current material you must know earlier material (for example, it is impossible to setup Newton's 2nd law equations withough knowledge of kinematics, or solve torque and angular momentum problems withoug knowledge of vectors or angular kinematics). The two best scores will be used to compute your final grade. There are NO MAKE  UP exams, but students with scheduled conflicts (ROTC, NCAA evemts, conference presentations, academic field trips, etc.) should contact instructor early in quarter (not the day before the test!). Each midterm will have multiple choice questions, and problems from lecture, tutorial and/or lab. Details for each exam will be posted well in advance, check the "exams" link when setup. The best two scores with respect to the median [(your score - class average)/(standard deviation)] will be used to decide which exams to keep. You are permitted to bring one sheet of notes (one side) to the test. You will need a calculator, but use of graphing calculators, computers, cell phones, etc. is not allowed. There may be a sitting chart for the exam.

Final Exam.  A comprehensive, mandatory two-hour final exam (25% of your raw grade) will be held as per UW schedule (check Schedule on left). The final exam will have questions from lectures, homework, labs and tutorials. Details will be posted in the Exams page. You will be allowed to bring one page of notes, written on both sides.

Labs and Tutorials. Grading policy will be explained in your individual sections. This grades forms a very significant portion of your final grade for the course. Completion of most of the lab and tutorial work is required in order to pass the course. For example, completing five or fewer labs results in a 0.0 grade for the entire course, regardless of how you did in the other components of the course.

Homework: Lecture homework is assigned and collected weekly through the Tycho system. Your score here contributes 10% to your final raw grade. Supplemental homework from problems at the back of each chapter of the text will be assigned but not collected. Tutorial homework will be assigned and collected in each tutorial section. One problem from each tutorial assignment will be graded in detail, and will contribute to your score for tutorials. There may be computer projects assigned in the tutorial sections. 

Main Text: Knight, "Physics for Scientists and Engineers", 1st edition. We will use material from the first 14 chapters. Please read text, it is impossible for instructor to go over every page! Use office hours, e-mail, discussion board, and Study Center to ask questions. Some problems from back of chapter will be assigned and instructor will assume that you have solved them or know how to solve them.

Tutorials: McDermott and Shaffer, "Tutorials in Introductory Physics"

Lab: Lab Manual for Phys 121

H-ITT clickers: class participation. Instructions on registering the clickers will be posted separately. You don't have to register the clicker on the first day you use it, but you MUST register it before the end of the quarter to tie the number of your clicker to you.

This is a challenging class. I'll try to make it as enjoyable as possible, and I will do my best for you to learn the material. You should have strong familiarity with algebra and trigonometry, and either have taken or be taking concurrently MATH 124 or equivalent. To do well in this class you will need to spend time on it, my guess is at least five hours/week to do the tutorial and Tycho homework, then add time to read text, do supplementary problems, understand tutorials and labs.

Other resources:

Office hours: The instructor will have office hours on Wednesday mornings for both Phys 121A and 121B between 10 am and 12 noon, Office: B 445, Physics/Astronomy Bldg. He will go periodically by the Study Center. Additional office hours will be held prior to exams. Unfortunately one of the midterms will be on a Monday, office hours will be held that Monday morning.

Study Center: The Department staffs a Study Center at several hours during the day, likely starting the 2nd week of the quarter. The Study Center is located in the restrooms level of the lecture hall building (PAA); it may be accessed by elevator, by the "dungeon" stairway by the Foucault pendulum, and by the stairway at the end of the access hall to the lecture rooms. There are tables more or less reserved for the course numbers indicated by signs, and 10 computers that should be used mainly for the Tycho homework. Please be considerate to others and use the computers briefly, there is a real advantage to work at the Study Center with other students, TAs and instructors on solving the Tycho homework because if "stuck" you can ask for help and perhaps solve the homework faster.