Course includes requirements and learning activities that promote students’ abilities to…

1. Understand how scientists approach and solve problems in the natural sciences;

University Physics 221 and 222 introduce students to the fundamental methods of how scientist approach and solve problems in the natural science. The course starts with the simplest concepts and develop models to explain the motion of objects. As the students’ skills and knowledge expand, the models become more complex. Students are introduced to the laws of physics and some of the laboratory assignments are designed for students to verify these laws. Misconceptions that students have about the topics are challenged and demonstration experiments and hand-on laboratory exercise help the students develop a new framework based on mathematical equations. A historical perspective of the scientists and the laws of physics that they developed are also given.

(b) Apply those methods to solve problem that arise in the natural sciences

Each chapter introduces a few new concepts. Students are given problem assignments to practice applying the concepts. Quizzes, hour exams, and laboratory assignments are given and graded to test the students’ understanding of the concepts. The goal of this procedure is to develop in the student a problem solving capability such that they will be capable of solving a problem they have not seen before.

Math 160 is a prerequisite to Physics 221 and Math 165 is prerequisite to Physics 222. Algebra ,trigonometry, and calculus is used the first day of class and is an essential part of the class.

Developing problem solving ability is both a collaborative and independent learning experience. Students do study together and help each other solve problems. Some group exercises are done during the lecture period. However, the quizzes and exams are taken individually. The laboratory assignments are done in groups of two.

The primary source of information for the student is the textbook. Textbooks are now coming equipped with CD that contain tutorial, interactive simulations of homework problems, and internet links to web sites.

The burden of proof in physics is high and each week as new concepts are added demonstrations and laboratories are performed to convince the students that the concepts are true. The basic premise of all science courses is that students should not accept the word of an authority figure that a statement is true but should prove it themselves. It is this questioning of authority that students develop critical thinking skills which they can apply to new statements to convince themselves what is opinion and what is fact.

University Physics 221 and 222 spends every week challenging students’ misconceptions of physics.

Courses that satisfy the laboratory requirement in the natural sciences will additionally provide students the opportunity to practice scientific inquiry through hands-on investigations and to analyze and report the results of those investigations.

There are weekly lab assignments that students obtain hand-on experiences in which students take data, analyze it, and report the results.

Students are required to take weekly quizzes, hour exams, tests, and a comprehensive final. Weekly lab reports are also due. Successful students soon learn that they need to be active in the learning process. They need to come to class, ask questions, due the homework, attend labs, and turn in lab reports. If general physics was an inert body of knowledge that students need to memorize, then they could be successful in a passive role. However, problem solving requires student to be active learners and involved in their own learning.

Physics 222
University Physics II
Syllabus Spring, 2000

Text: Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 5^th Edition, by Serway and Beichner

Instructor: Dan Bloom, Physics Department

Pasteur 114C

dbloom@winona.edu

(g) Recognize and correct scientific misconceptions

This course is a continuation of Phys. 221. Course prerequisites are completion of Phys. 221 and integral calculus. Class attendance is expected in both lecture and lab. During the lecture concepts will be discussed, problems will be worked and frequent single problem quizzes will be given. Problem sets will be assigned, collected, graded and returned. In addition, occasional extra credit problems will be offered. The points earned on extra credit problems will be used at the end of the semester to raise the final course grade a maximum of a half letter grade. (Objectives a, b, c, d, e, f, g)

The two main topics covered this semester are thermodynamics and the combined topic of electricity and magnetism. At the end of the semester you should have an understanding of the laws of thermodynamics and the limitations they put on our energy use and conversion, the mechanisms of heat transfer between hot and cold bodies, the origins of electric fields which determine all forces we experience with the exception of gravity (and nuclear forces), dc and ac circuit theory and the origin of magnetism. In the process, students will develop an understanding how scientist make decisions and develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. (Objectives a, b, c, d, e, f, g)

At the completion of the course, students will accomplish the University Studies outcomes for a Natural Science. That is, students will understand (a) how scientists approach and solve problems in natural science, (b) apply those methods to solve problems that arise in the natural science, (c) engage in independent and collaborative learning, (d) identify, find and use the tools of information science at it relates to natural science, (e) critically evaluate both source and content of scientific information, and (f) recognize and correct scientific misconceptions.

Proposed Schedule

Jan. 12 - 14 Chapter 19 Temperature
        19 - 21 Chapter 20 First Law of Thermodynamics
        24 - 26 Chapter 21 Kinetic Theory of Gases
Jan. 28 - Feb. 2 Chapter 22 Second Law of Thermodynamics
Feb. 4 - 7 Global Warming

FEBRUARY 9 EXAM 1

Feb. 11 - 16 Chapter 23 Electric Fields

Feb. 18 February Break
        21 - 23 Chapter 24 Gauss’ Law
        25 - Mar. 1 Chapter 25 Electric Potential

MARCH 3 EXAM 2

Mar   5 - 19 Semester Break
          20 - 22 Chapter 26 Capacitance and Dielectrics
          24 - 27 Chapter 27 Current and Resistance
Mar   29 - Apr. 3 Chapter 28 DC Circuits
Apr    5 - 10 Chapter 33 AC Circuits

APRIL 12 EXAM 3

Apr. 14 - 19 Chapter 29 Magnetic Fields
        21 - 24 Chapter 30 Sources of Magnetic Fields
Apr. 26 - May 1 Chapter 31 Faraday’s Law
May 3 - 5 Chapter 32 Inductance
8 - 12 Chapter 15 Fluid Mechanics

MAY 18 (THURS) FINAL EXAM 8 A.M.

Experiments

GRADING

Each Exam - 100 pts 300 pts

Final Exam - 150        150

Lab Grade - 50          50

Problem Set Grade - 50  50

Quizzes - 100               100