Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - PHYS 125 D100

Mechanics and Special Relativity (3)

Class Number: 1024

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 19, 2020
    Sat, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Permission of the department. Corequisite: MATH 151. Recommended Corequisite: PHYS 132.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An enriched course in mechanics for students with good preparation in physics and mathematics. Special relativity and classical topics such as translational and rotational dynamics and conservation laws will be given a much more sophisticated treatment than in our other first-year courses. Students with credit for PHYS 101, 120 or PHYS 140 may not take PHYS 125 for further credit. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

Newton’s laws, projectile and circular motion, everyday forces, accelerated frames, simple harmonic motion, momentum, rotational motion, torque, rotational inertia, work and energy, potential energy, conservation of energy, damped harmonic motion and resonance, gravitation, special relativity, relativistic mechanics.

Mode of teaching:

Lecture: synchronous (also recorded for review); class notes distributed beforehand.  High-speed internet connection required; we will likely use Zoom, but maybe something else in addition. You should have a webcam and microphone for class participation.

Tutorial: synchronous; same requirements as for the lecture. In addition, there will be 4 short tests (15 min.) in the tutorial time slot. You will need software to scan your test paper into a pdf file, which you will then submit to Crowdmark.  We will discuss this in the first tutorial. You will also be required to have a camera so you can project your image on Zoom during the exams.

Midterm(s): synchronous; date: TBA, in one of the tutorials (50 min). Same technical requirements as for the tests.

Final exam: synchronous; date: TBA.  Duration: 50 min. Same technical requirements as for the tests. (Final exam period is Dec 9 -20)

Assignments:  Once per week, except for the week of the midterm.  You will submit assignments the same way as described above for the tests/exams (pdf scans into Crowdmark).

Grading

  • Assignments 20%
  • Tutorial tests (4x10%) 40%
  • Midterm 20%
  • Final exam 20%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

REQUIRED: PHYSICS (Vol. 1) 5th edition, Author: Halliday, Resnick and Krane

*Students can purchase book from online retailer if e-text unavailable from SFU bookstore.

Technology Requirements:
Computer, high speed Internet connection, webcam, microphone, ability to scan-to-pdf.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Students who cannot write their exam during the course's scheduled exam time must request accommodation from their instructor in writing, clearly stating the reason for this request, before the end of the first week of classes.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).