Physics 208 – Modern Physics

Lake Tahoe Community College

 

Instructor:     

                        Robert Dickerson Ph.D.

                        Office:

                        Email: Robert@buylaketahoe.com

                        Cell phone: 775 220 6220

                        Office hours: After Lectures

                                                or by appointment.

Textbook:      

           

            Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics, Seventh Edition,           Serway and Jewett, Thompson Brooks/Cole.   ISBN: 0-495-11245-3

                        In addition, each student needs a quad-ruled laboratory notebook (available in the bookstore).

 

Course time and location:

 

            Lecture: Tue & Thur, 1:30 pm – 3:20pm, room D108

            Lab 1:  Fri 8:00 a.m. – 10:50 p.m., room D103

            Final Exam:  Wed, March 24, 10:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. room D108

 

Prerequisites:

 

            PHY 207 with a grade of "C" or better or equivalent.

                       

Important Dates:

 

                        Exam Dates: (See schedule)

                                   

                                    Thur Feb 3, Thur Mar3, Final Thur Mar 24

 

                        Other Important Dates:

 

                                    Last day for refunds                              Fri,Jan 14th

                                    Last day to drop with no record            Fri,Jan 28th

                                                Last day to drop with a “W” grade        Thur Feb17th

                                    Martin Luther King’s Day Holiday        Mon Jan 17th

                                    Washington’s Birthday Holiday Mon     Feb 21st

                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Description

 

            This course satisfies the lower-division physics requirement for a major in physics, physical science, chemistry, geology, or engineering.  Topics include: Electricity and Magnetism, light, optics, relativity, quantum physics, atomic physics.  The course will include discussions, demonstrations, problem solving, and group activities.  Bring your calculator to class every day.  Attendance and participation in class activities is extremely important.  

  

            Homework will be assigned weekly, and will be submitted using the WebAssign online program.  This online program requires the same access code that you used last quarter.  To access the WebAssign website, direct your URL to http://www.webassign.net.  Choose the icon “Have a class key?”  The class key for this course is ltcc 2048 4650 (this is not your access code).  You will be directed to enroll in the course. You will have a 14 day grace period during which you have access to the homework assignments with or without the access code.  After 14 days, you must register with the access code.  Homework will generally be open on Mondays and will be due the following Monday.  The homework will close on the due date.                

 

            Quizzes will be given approximately once per week, during the first 10 minutes of class or lab (see attached schedule).  No make-up quizzes will be given.  If you have a legitimate, college sanctioned excused absence, and you notify the instructor prior to missing the quiz, the grade for the missed quiz will be determined statistically.  Unexcused absences will result in a zero for the missed work.  Quizzes carry minimal impact on the final grade, and are intended to prepare students for subsequent exams.

 

            Three exams will be given including the final exam (see schedule).  Only in extreme circumstances (such as hospitalization) will students be allowed to take an exam at a time other than the scheduled exam time. Arrangements must be made with the instructor prior to the scheduled exam time. 

 

            In order to receive full credit for problems (on quizzes and exams), you must show how you attained the solution.  Partial credit will be given for solutions that are partially correct.  The correct answer with no work to corroborate how the result was attained may result in a zero for that question.  See attached grading rubric for more information on grading policies for this course.

 

Grading Criteria:

                                    Homework       20%

                                    Labs                 20%

                                    Quizzes            10%

                                    Exams              50%

                                    Total                100%

 

            The following scale will be used for determining letter grades. 

 

A: (90 – 100%)     B: (80 – 89%)     C: (70 – 79%)     D: (60 – 69%)     F: Less than 60%

 

 

 

Academic Honesty:

 

            Students are expected to perform their own work on all assignments in this course.  I strongly encourage you to study with a partner or in study groups; it is fine to work together on homework assignments and in the lab.  However, the work you turn in must be your own, and should not be identical to the work of another student.  Quizzes and exams are to be completed by your self.  Dishonesty on an exam, quiz, homework, or lab report will result in a zero grade for that assignment.  See the “Student Rights and Responsibilities” section of the LTCC catalogue for further disciplinary action pertaining to academic dishonesty.  Cheating is a very serious offence.  Integrity is much more valuable than the result of an assignment.  Do your own personal best and the results will take you further than you might imagine.

 

Tips for Success in Physics:

 

Successful students…

  1. form a study group and discuss lecture, readings, and homework with fellow students (this is very important!)
  2. visit the instructor during office hours – to ask questions, discuss the material, etc.
  3. keep the syllabus in their notebook and refer to it often to keep informed about the course
  4. have excellent attendance
  5. read the textbook for familiarity before lecture
  6. read the textbook again thoroughly – with pencil and paper, working each example – before attempting homework
  7. work on homework problems every day, rather than trying to do the whole assignment in one sitting (especially the night before it is due).

 

Student Learning Outcomes:

 

The successful student will:
1. Analyze problems involving special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic physics, nuclear physics, and fundamental particles.
2. Describe and discuss the concepts associated with relativity and quantum mechanics.
3. Identify the consequences of Einstein's postulates of relativity.
4. Verify the photon concept of light with experiments on the photo-electric effect.

 

 

Students with Disabilities:

 

            Students with disabilities who may need accommodations for this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) early in the quarter so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible. Students may contact the DRC by visiting the Center (located in room A205) or by phoning (530) 541-4660 ext. 249 (voice) or (530) 542-1870 (TTY for deaf students).

All information will remain confidential.