Physics 207 Homepage

Physics 207 (Home page)
General Physics - Fall 2006

Calculus (Math 221 or equivalent). Algebra, trigonometry, and calculus will be used.
Note that at the first class meeting some of the finer details will be worked out

(i.e., this is a TENTATIVE document, last modified 9/11/06).

Materials Needed:

Text: Serway and Jewett, Physics for Scientists & Engineers with Modern Physics, 6th edition.
Lab manual: Rollefson and Richards, Laboratory Experiments in General Physics.
Lab notebook: preferably hard bound with cross-hatched ruling. Bring it to your first laboratory meeting.
Calculator: preferably with trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Know how to use it, and make sure batteries are charged for exams.

Lectures:

8:50 am MWF in Hall.

Prof. M.J. Winokur (5106 Chamberlin Hall, mwinokur@wisc.edu, 263-7475).

Office Hrs. on MW 10:15-11:30 am in 5106 Chamberlin Hall (or by appointment).

The lectures supplement but do not substitute for the reading.

Read the assigned material before lecture.

The Friday lectures are optional except for honors students.

Everyone is encouraged to attend. (Attendance will be taken during the honors lecture.)

Discussion sections:

Your discussion section will be led by your TA who will be your prime contact and source of assistance. General questions about the homework are allowed before it is due, but don't expect your TA to work out the solutions for you in advance. Quizzes will occasionally be given in your discussion session and will likely count towards your grade.

Electronic Aids:

All of the instructors are available by e-mail, and there is an e-mail list for the entire class that will occasionally be used for important announcements. The course, Phys 207, has a Home Page (http://romano.physics.wisc.edu/winokur/phys207/) on the World Wide Web where you will find the full set of up-to-date course information and links to useful resources.

Laboratory:

Follow the "General Instructions" in the laboratory manual (pages 1-3). The experiments are to be written up during the laboratory period in the lab notebook. The lab notebook is not to be taken from the lab except with permission of your instructor. The laboratory is in 4310 Chamberlin Hall. Further information about the lab can be found at 207 Lab Server (http://badger.physics.wisc.edu/). You are required to have a valid excuse for making up any specific lab. A make-up slot is scheduled on every exam week. Two missed lab write-ups will lower your final grade by one full letter. Three missed labs is unacceptable and will result in a failing course grade.

Homework:

The homework problems are assigned in the syllabus for each week and the one cited to be handed in should be completed at first discussion sessions after the stated WebAssign due date. This course will likely take advantage of Serway and Jewett's on-line server at www.webassign.com. Note that you DO NOT need to pay extra for access to this server if you have purchased a used book.

If you have a UW e-mail address then you should already have an account. Your UW username is your Webassign name (no @wisc.edu). The institution is wisc. Your password, if everything has been done right, should be the last four digits of your student ID number. If that doesn't appear to work you can have the password sent to your e-mail address. You will be able to work on your homework sets multiple times (10 submissions will be allowed) and only the last answer will be recorded.

Late problem sets will be accepted but receive no credit. For most students keeping up with both the reading and homework are essential to assimilate the material. Homework will count towards your grade. You are strongly encouraged to work with others on the homework, but make sure the answers you give are not simply copied from someone else. The solutions will be discussed in your discussion session and placed on reserve in the Physics Library (4220 Chamberlin).

Evening exams:

Evening exams (90 minutes) will be given on:

Oct 5	Chapters 1- 6
Nov 2	Chapters 7-12
Nov 28	Chapters 14-17 plus elastic moduli

The exams will be closed-book, but you will be allowed one handwritten 8 1/2 x 11-inch sheet of notes. The exams will be graded and handed back in your first discussion session of the following week. Solutions will be discussed and placed on reserve in the Physics Library (4220 Chamberlin Hall). There will be no makeup exams. However there will be at least one earlier time slot for those unable to make an evening exam.

Final Exam:

The Final Exam will be at 2:45 PM on Tuesday, Dec 19th (room to be announced). The exam will be semi-cumulative and cover (Chapters 1-22, excluding 13) with ~50% from chapters 19-22,~25% from 14-18 and the rest from 1-12. There are twenty questions of which about twelve will be multiple choice. Each problem is worth approximately 7.5 points. You will be allowed up to four 8 1/2 x 11-inch sheets of notes.