G.C. Sloan: Physics 2205 Introduction

Physics 2205
Introduction

Welcome to Physics 2205, the first semester of General Physics. This introduction
covers the TH 8 am and TH 2 pm sessions.

Instructor: Dr. Gregory C. Sloan
Robeson Hall, 324A (through 322)
gsloan@vt.edu
231-8744 (use only as a last resort!)

Teaching Assistant: Brian Hyde
Robeson Hall, 216B
bhyde@vt.edu
231-5575

Course Website: http://www.phys.vt.edu/~sloan/phys2205

Office Hours: to be posted on the web and announced in class

Text: Douglas C. Giancoli, Physics: Principles with Applications, 5th Ed., 1998

Optional Text: Joseph Boyle, Study Guide: Physics: Principles with Applications,
5th Ed., 1998

Prerequisite: Math 1016 or equivalent

Grading: 2 Midterms 50%
Final Exam 30%
Problem Sets and Quizzes 20%

Midterms: Tentatively scheduled for 28 September and 9 November. Each is worth
25% of the total grade.

Final Exam: The final exam will be held Monday, 13 December at 10:05 am for the
8 am class, and at 3:25 pm for the 2 pm class.

Make-up exams will only be offered to students who see the instructor (1) in advance
of the exam and (2) have an excused absence.

Problem sets:

Typically, 8-12 problems will be assigned each week. They will be due on Wednesday
of the following week (by noon). Assignments submitted after the due date will be
penalized 10% of the total possible grade for each day late, and no assignments will
be accepted after the problem set has been graded. Only some problems in each set
(typically 2) will be graded; students will not know which these are in advance.

Our goal is to learn the fundamental concepts of physics and how to apply these
concepts to physical situations, which makes problem-solving the heart and soul of
this course. As a consequence, it is impossible to over-emphasize the importance of
the problem sets. The student who gives each problem his or her full attention will
recognize which concepts they didn't understand in lecture or in the textbook, will be
able to learn these concepts and how to apply them, and will do well on the exams.
The student who relies on help from others before thinking carefully about each
problem, or who turns to solutions manuals or to graded assignments from previous
semesters will, in the long run, only be cheating him or herself. While these students
may save some time during the semester, they will, in all likelihood, do poorly on
exams.

Quizzes: There will typically be one quiz a week, but the day and frequency will vary.
While attendance in lecture is not mandatory, no make-up quizzes will be offered for
unexcused absences.

Honor Code:

Students are expected to know and adhere to the honor code of Virginia Tech.
Violations of the honor code will be dealt with mercilessly.

Grade Replacement and Extra Credit:

No grades will be replaced, and no extra credit assignments will be offered.

Help Sessions:

At least one help session a week will be scheduled early in the week at a time most
convenient for the class. These sessions provide an extra opportunity for students to
ask about problems, lecture, or any remotely related topic. The time will be
determined in class and posted on the web.

Calculators:

Students should bring a calculator to each exam and to every class (in case of a quiz).
Those without calculators will be expected to work out all calculations by hand.
Students should use scientific calculators with trigonometric, logarithm, and power
functions, but such things as plotting ability, programmability, and numerical
solutions techniques are not necessary.

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