Welcome!

In this course we will discuss the basic laws describing forces and motion
and we will develop the mathematical framework needed to understand
these in some detail. These topics are important, not only because they are
extremely interesting in their own right, but also because they form the
foundation upon which most physics, and engineering is built. It is our
goal that at the end of this course you will understand the main concepts of
mechanics, be able to apply them quantitatively for solving relevant
problems, and appreciate qualitatively how they play a role in many aspects
of our lives. The road to understanding is not a particularly easy one, but
the journey is well worth the effort.

The skills you will learn are crucial for success in Statics (EM 200), Physical
Chemistry (Chem 410), and more advanced physics courses.

In order to succeed, you must not fall behind! This course covers a large
amount of new material, and the understanding of new topics usually
requires mastery of previous material. 

Please use the Blackboard
calendar to keep track of "what is due when”.
(https://blackboard.sdsu.edu/)
 How to study
• Read about the topic ( textbook, pre-lectures)
This is your primary source.
• Untangle it ( lectures, office hours) Resolve
questions & uncertainty
• Play with it ( labs, applets) Validate your new
knowledge base.
• Challenge yourself (homework) Calculate a
quantitative expectation.
• Close the loop ( exams) Demonstrate your
new ability.
 Read about the topic
Textbook: Physics, for Scientists and Engineers" 7th edition, Serway
and Jewett (Volume 1).
Reading technical material for content and understanding is difficult. The
first attempt at learning is to read the assigned chapter in the textbook --
on your own and prior to lecture.

Pre-lectures: These are web-based multimedia learning activities

designed to give you a first exposure to the material. They are research-
based presentations designed to introduce the key ideas/concepts. They
include embedded questions. You may attempt each question several
times, however you must get the questions correct to complete the
activity.
At the end of each lecture, I will announce the sections of the textbook I
expect you to read and/or pre-lecture I expect you to complete before the
next lecture.
You can earn extra credit by doing pre-lectures on time! That is before
their due dates posted on Bb,
 Untangle it
Lecture: The lecture will not simply reprise what
you have read, rather it is intended to resolve
the misconceptions and difficulties you have
encountered in understanding. We will
expand/explain them. The purpose is to help
you understand, and your participation is
critical.
In order to provide an environment more conducive to
participation and interaction, each student will have a
clicker with which to answer various questions during
lecture. You will receive points based on your
participation in lecture (independent of the correctness of
your answer).

Lecture notes will be posted on Bb (under course documents).

 Play with it
Lab: One of the goals of the laboratory
experience is to build confidence in the students
ability to confront hypothesis and experiment
and to extract the extent of confirmation of
his/her expectations.

Applets:
U. of Colorado http://phet.colorado.edu/web-
pages/simulations-base.html
UCLA EPhysics
http://ephysics.physics.ucla.edu/
 Challenge yourself
In physics most of the learning takes place when you
attempt to solve problems. In addition, many example
problems will be solved in class.

Homework is online (webassign). Problems are from the

book. Solutions will be posted on Bb (under assignments).

Try additional problems: those with solutions in Student

Solution Manual (on reserve in library).

- Study in groups with peers!!!!

- Use the discussion board in webassign to help each other
- Some solutions to the assigned problems are in the solution
manual.
- Use cramster.com with care (is it indeed a community of students working together
to help answer Math, Science and Engineering questions 24/7????). Make sure you
UNDERSTAND how to solve the problem.
 Close the loop
Tests: Sept 29 ,Nov 3 , Dec 1 and 15 (final).
ATTENDENCE REQUIRED! NO MAKEUPS
Before each test review:
- textbook reading material (including
examples) and pre-lectures
- in class clicker questions (posted on Bb)
- homework problems
Tests are on Wednesdays. There will be a review session (Monday
in class) before each test.

All questions are Multiple Choice

Office hours:
Instructor: - Monday 1.30-2.30
(Physics 136) - Wednesday 10-11
- Friday 10.30-12

TA: - Friday 12-2

- ??? (to be scheduled)
Please note that teaching this class is 40% of my total
assignment. Although I am usually very quick in
answering email on technical questions (lost password,
wrong grade in Bb, etcetera), most of my time goes into
preparing the lectures, homework sets, and tests. TA’s
are available to answer questions in 1-1 and small group
settings. I will find out later this week if we will have 1 TA
or 2 TA’s (4 or 8 hours/week).
 Technology
With weekly approximately 5 min/student “human” time available,
technology is very important (pre-lectures, clickers, online
homework).

Trend in higher education: Technology can increase educational

productivity, expand access to higher learning, and reduce costs.

During the past decade instructors have been replaced by

technology and TA’s.

Role of the instructor is more as a “tour guide”, helping students use

and find the technological tools available.
 What to do if you need/want
more “human” time
MEP Workshop (http://www.engineering.sdsu.edu/mep/)
MW 1-2:50 E221C Michael Anderson
(You have to sign up for all session. There usually is space for a few non MEP
students. Go to E208 and sign up on the workshop waitlist. If space is available, you
will be contacted to come complete a contract. The first day of workshop is Wed., 9/1,
so sign up right away)

FREE Tutoring (http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/MBRS/index.html)

(The MBRS program received ARRA funding from NIH to offer free tutoring in math and
sciences courses to any students needing it. Download the tutoring form from wibsite
above)

PASE Tutoring sections (http://attila.sdsu.edu/~pase/)

(Most likely every Wednesday 3-7 in E221C)

PAID Tutoring (http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~sps/)

(Please contact Society of Physics Students, in the past they also have offered tutoring for
a small donation)
 Clicker Signup
You need to register your clicker via
Blackboard. Please use the firefox
browser. More information on the
registration process for your clicker can be
found by going to
http://clicker.sdsu.edu/student_start.html.

Please register your clicker by Friday Sept 3. You can use it for
practice. Starting Sept 10 you will earn points.
 Where Do I Log In ?
• Go to the Login page at http://webassign.net/login.html

Red ID
SDSU
First name (with first letter as capital)
 How Do I Pay for WebAssign?
After logging in you may see a notice that includes
Grace Period information and payment options.

• You can register

– a code number if you have an Access Code card -or-
– you can buy an Access Code online with a credit card.

• After the Grace Period you will see the payment

options and not be able to continue without
entering an Access Code.
 Pre Lectures Sign Up
https://www.physicsbrain.com/fall10/auth/log
in.aspx

Login: RedID
Password: First name (with FIRST letter as
capital)
 Grading
See Syllabus