Lecturer: Prof. Michael Kovash
Office: CP 171
Phone: 257-1150
E-mail: kovash "@" pa.uky.edu
Office Hours: TBA

Required textbooks:
Taylor & Wheeler, Spacetime Physics, 2^nd Edition.
Serway & Jewett, Physics For Scientists and Engineers , 6^th Edition, 2004.

Recommended textbook:
R. P. Feynman, The Feynman Lectures on Physics , v. I.

Physics 228 is the second part of a three-semester survey of classical physics. It should be taken after Phy 231 (Mechanics) and before Phy 232 (Electricity & Magnetism) and uses the textbook required for these courses (Serway & Jewett). We will spend roughly six weeks on relativity, three weeks on optics, and five weeks on thermal physics.

This course does not require any prior knowledge of physics, yet algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and simple integration and differentiation will be used extensively. Consequently, MA 114 is a prerequisite for this course, though it may be taken concurrently. Appendix B of Serway & Jewett contains a nice overview of the mathematics used in this course -- you should examine it carefully to determine what you might need to brush up on.

Components of PHY228

Lecture

The lectures will roughly follow the course of the book, yet it is important that you attend every lecture. The lectures flesh out the text and will enable you to digest the material. Reading the assigned portions of the textbooks prior to class is an essential step towards this end. You will also be asked to work in-class exercises on a regular basis.

Homework

Homework will be given each week.

Grading Policy:

Your grade will be based on the following criteria. There will be two examinations during the course of the semester, as well as a final examination, for a total of three written examinations. All the examinations are comprehensive in nature. Moreover, they are in-class, closed-book tests.

You will also receive points for your performance on the exercises given during the lecture sections. Your in-class points are based on 5 out of a total of 7 (anticipated) exercises; your two lowest scores will be dropped. This allows you to miss two lecture exercises due to unanticipated reasons without penalty. Use these dates wisely.

In addition you will earn points for your performance on the homework. Your homework points are based on 10 out of a total of 12 (anticipated) homeworks; your two lowest homework scores will be dropped. This allows you to miss two homework deadlines due to unanticipated reasons without penalty. Use these dates wisely.

Your final grade will be based on your total performance with respect to the other members of the class.

Your homework grade will be determined as follows. Homework for the section on relativity will be given from Taylor & Wheeler; homework for the sections on optics and thermal physics will be given from Serway & Jewett. To develop mastery, you should also try to solve appropriate problems at the end of each chapter in the course textbooks. (Numerical answers to odd-numbered problems appear in the back of Serway & Jewett and Taylor & Wheeler.)

Your lowest two weekly homework scores will be dropped before calculating the semester's homework score. Late homework is unacceptable. Note: The total weight of the homework is 30% or 300 points out of 1000 points. The total points earned on homework will be rescaled relative to a maximum of 300 points at the end of the semester.

Our emphasis is on an understanding of the underlying physics concepts as well as on problem-solving skills. In addition to being able to solve all of the assigned problems, you are expected to be able to apply the concepts involved in these problems to somewhat different situations. You are encouraged to focus on gaining an understanding of the physical concepts involved rather than merely memorizing formulas and plugging in numbers. This may involve qualitative and occasionally creative answers to questions or problems. It is thus good practice if you do try to solve additional problems from the textbooks.

Your in-class grade will be determined as follows. Every other week or so an exercise will be given; you are encouraged to solve your work sheet in groups. The exercises are meant to give you more help on topics deemed to be especially challenging, so that you can digest the new topics more easily. You are encouraged to discuss the questions posed with your peers and with your instructor, but the end of the exercises is to understand the principles involved for yourself. You are asked, then, to write down your solutions independently, in your own words. The work sheets will be collected near the end of the session and will be graded for a maximum total of 3 points. The total number of in-class points will be rescaled to 100 points at the end of the semester.

Your final grade will be based on a curve, yet it seems reasonable to guarantee that an appropriate grade will be received for a certain absolute level of performance. Thus, obtaining the following percentages will grant you no worse than the grade indicated.

The above standard allows you to estimate your lowest possible grade in the course throughout the semester. Irrespective of your total earned points, in order to pass the class, you must earn a passing grade on the final examination.

If you miss a test with a valid excuse, you will receive a score based on the average of your other two tests. If you miss two or more tests, or the final examination, with a valid excuse, you will receive a grade of incomplete (I); you will be obliged to complete the tests or final examination in the next semester.

Examples of excusable absences are (University Senate Rule 5.2.4.2):

(i) Illness of the student or serious illness of a member of the student's immediate family. Written verification required.
(ii) The death of a member of the student's immediate family. Written verification required.
(iii) Trips for members of student organizations sponsored by an academic unit, trips for University classes, and trips for participation in intercollegiate athletic events.
(iv) Major religious holidays. Students are responsible for notifying the instructor in writing of anticipated absences due to their observance of such holidays no later than the last day for adding a class. For all excusable absences, when feasible, the student must notify the instructor prior to the occurrence of such absences, but in no case shall such notification occur more than one week after the absence.

You are not allowed to consult any text book, reference book, class notes, or any other written materials during the in-class tests, and the final examination. You have to provide your own calculator, but you cannot use any program stored in the memory of the calculator. You are to use your calculator for simple numerical operations only.

It is good for you to discuss the course material with others, but you really must perform all your course work independently. Copying homework does not make sense --- it will serve you poorly at test time. Cheating and plagiarism in tests or exams, indeed, in all aspects of the course, are very serious academic offenses. Violators of the academic code are subject to punishment in accordance to University Senate Rules section 6.3 and 6.4.

University Studies

PHY228 may be taken in partial fulfillment of the Natural Sciences requirements in the UNIVERSITY STUDIES PROGRAM (USP). A good scientist or engineer must possess knowledge of his/her discipline, as well as be able to communicate that knowledge effectively. The writing requirement of the USP is satisfied through the clear, coherent, and orderly presentation of the physics principles involved in your written solution to problems, using not only equations and numbers, but also words and diagrams!

How to Do Well!

1. Spend time and effort on the course work. Course work means attending the classes and recitations, doing the homework, reading the text materials, and thinking about the physics. You should expect to spend at least 10 hours a week outside of lecture completing the homework assignment and reviewing the lecture material.
2. Take an active role in the learning process. Ask questions yourself and try to determine their answers. Do more than you are asked to do. Talk with your lecturer if you have difficulty with the presented concepts.
3. When you read the textbooks, try to identify the main points and understand their consequences. It will probably take some time for you to learn to manipulate the physics concepts you learn in class. Solving problems and discussing them with friends will help ease this process.
4. When solving problems, do not plug numbers into equations blindly until you find the "right" answer. Make sure you understand how the problem is solved. Use only equations that are directly related to the principles involved. Write down your solution step by step in a clear manner, so that all can understand the logic of your approach.

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