Physics for science and engineering students, including the study of fluids, heat, thermodynamics, relativity, and an introduction to modern physics.
Credits: 3 crs. (3-0). Not for GE.
Prerequisites: Phys 232 and Math 215.
Text: Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics,
3rd Edition, by Douglas C. Giancoli
Instructor: Paul J. Thomas
Office: Phillips 241
Phone: 836-3615
E-mail: thomaspj@uwec.edu
Web page: http://www.uwec.edu/Physics/thomas/Physics332/index.html
Office hours : 9.00 am – 11.00 am M Tu F, 1.00 pm - 2.00 pm M Tu W F or by appointment. Walk-ins welcome!
Baccalaureate Goals
This course is intended to directly meet goals 3 (an ability to inquire, think, and analyze), 5 (an understanding of numerical data), and 8 (an understanding of science and scientific methods) of the baccalaureate degree. It also contributes to meeting goal 2 (an appreciation of the University as a learning community).
Attendance: Attendance at every class is expected. Although attendance will not be used in determining the final numerical grades, I will use it when determining grade boundaries in close cases. Any tests, quizzes, or assignments missed during an unexcused absence will be assigned a grade of zero. Inform me of known upcoming absences – you must make arrangements for make-ups before that absence. If you miss an exam because of an emergency, do not wait until the next class period to let me know – call me as soon as possible.
Grading: Grades will primarily be based on exams and homework assignments. The final exam will be comprehensive, but may favor work done after Exam 3. I will calculate a weighted numerical average using the following weights.
Assignments and Quizzes 30%
Exams 50% (16.7% each)
Final Exam 20%
Approximate Grading Curve:
A 90 - 100%
B 80 - 90%
C 70 - 80%
D 60 -- 70%
F below 60%(+ and - grades will be used).
Solutions to problems should be neat, easy-to-follow, and exhibit good problem-solving style. Your purpose in presenting problem solutions is two-fold: to understand the physical principles, applications, and computations in the problem, and to communicate those ideas. I will grade the problems accordingly. Show your work on all problems – no credit will be given for answers without explanations. You may use integral tables, calculators or computer programs to solve integrals or simultaneous equations. If you do, however, be sure to indicate what integral or system of equations is being solved and give an appropriate reference. If you use a computer system such as Maple or Mathematica, attach a complete printout. Unless the problems state otherwise, express your answers in appropriate scientific units. Although I will not be extremely picky about proper significant figures, I will take off points in extreme cases. For numerical solutions, put a box around your final answer.
Feel free to discuss ideas with each other and compare answers. However, your homework is your own work. Do not copy material from another student’s paper! I reserve the right to take off points for cases of such plagiarism.
If I need to change the schedule, correct problem solutions, or alert you to other information outside of class, I will send e-mail to the whole class. Check your UW-Eau Claire e-mail account regularly, especially before tests and quizzes.
Final exam: Tuesday, May 13, 10.00 am – 12.00 pm.
(Class PowerPoint will be linked here as we cover the material)
Fluids (Giancoli, Chapter 13)
Temperature (Giancoli, Chapter 17)
Kinetic Theory of Gases and Thermodynamics (Giancoli, Chapters 18, 19)
Heat Engines (Giancoli, Chapters 19, 20)
Entropy (Giancoli, Chapter 20)
Special Relativity (Giancoli, Chapter 37)
Quantum Physics (Giancoli, Chapters 38-44)
Useful Links