Instructor: Jim Lund (lundj@district112.org)

Text: Conceptual Physics, by Paul Hewitt.  Follow the hyperlink to get to the book's web page.

Lecture notes

Welcome to General Physics class! I have always found teaching physics to be an enormously rewarding experience, and I hope you find learning it to be just as profitable.

A scientific calculator will be used frequently. It must have trigonometric functions. Graphing calculators can be very helpful, but are not required.

You should have a notebook devoted to notes for this class.

The following is a list of the topics and chapters we will be covering throughout the semester.

Evaluations: You should expect a short quiz at the end of each chapter. There will be a test at the end of each unit. You will always be allowed to use your own notes for quizzes, but not for tests. For tests, you can make up a note sheet. There will be a final exam at the end of the semester, which will be cumulative. In addition to these, you will be taking a conceptual knowledge test before and after your study of kinematics and mechanics. This test will only slightly impact your grade, but it is useful for my evaluation of your gain in understanding of major concepts.

Grading: Your grade in the class will be derived from your performance in three areas: homework (approximately 40%), quizzes and tests (approximately 40%), lab work and reports (approximately 20%).

Homework: Each unit will have an assignment of problems from the book. Worksheets and other assignments will be added to these. You will be responsible for keeping up with the work throughout the unit. I encourage you to work together. Not only is this the best way to do physics homework, but it is the way science is done in the real world.

Expectations: You are responsible for arriving on time, and being prepared for class. Normal tardy policy is enforced. If you have an excused absence, you are responsible for finding out what you missed and making arrangements to make up any labs, quizzes, or tests. I will not hunt you down and write the assignments in your planner for you. You are also expected to keep up a good attitude, behave in a respectful manner toward your classmates, classroom, and teacher. Finally, you are expected to maintain your progress toward successful completion of the course.

Late work: Work that is turned in late will lose credit. Homework is like fish… If it’s not fresh when turned in it starts to smell. I will set deadlines for late homework. Generally, late homework must be turned in before the unit test in order to receive credit.

Tutorial: I will be available for additional help after school one day a week. The schedule will be announced in class. You can get help with your homework, make up a lab, or take a make-up quiz during this time.

Your Success in this class will depend mostly on your own initiative and effort. You will have resources to help you with problems, but you must make sure that you understand concepts if you want to truly succeed. Keep informed, work together, stay on target. Feel free to contact me with questions or suggestions.