Welcome to Physics 4A!

IntroductionsFill out the surveyMeet neighborsMeet me

What is this class about? How will the class be organized? Pre-class Assessment & Group Activities

Yes, we’ll discuss how balls (and other things) move!

But not just moving balls…

You’ll see the world differently!

Who Studies Physics? Why?

Richard FeynmanBrian Cox  Neil deGrasse Tyson

Who Studies Physics? Why?

Doa Hawamdeh: “I think physics is the mother of all the sciences. If I can learn physics I will learn mathematics, chemistry, everything.

Reina Maruyama University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Lene Hau first slowed light down, then stopped it altogether ….

Who Studies Physics? Why?

Obvious ExamplesEngineers, Chemists, Geologists, etc…

Not-so-obvious examples Even less obvious examples! And even LESS obvious? Why study physics?

Examples of Physics in our World

Scotland: Falkirk Wheel France: Millau Viaduct China: Three Gorges Dam Germany: Prosthetics Britain: Water-lens Glasses South Africa: SALT Geneva: Large Hadron Collider

Examples of Physics in our World

Scotland: Falkirk Wheel France: Millau Viaduct China: Three Gorges Dam Germany: Prosthetics Britain: Water-lens Glasses South Africa: SALT Geneva: Large Hadron Collider

What do these have in common?? What does that mean for you?

My goal for you

Help you be competitive when you transfer to a 4-year university in your discipline

My goal for you

Help you be competitive when you transfer to a 4-year university in your discipline

… which means….

Equivalent Rigor Equivalent Expectations for Hours of Study State of the Art teaching with online tools

My goal for you

Help you be competitive when you transfer to a 4-year university in your discipline

outstanding

How much time will 4A take?

No one answer applies to everyone, but… 7 hours in class per week 2-3 hours of reading each week, working examples,

doing problems 1-2 hour intro HW assignment each week 3-5 hour summary HW assignment each week 2-3 hours lab report each week 5-10 hours studying before exams

~10 hours outside for our 5-unit class

Challenges you face…

Less time available to study Outside work, family,

commuting

Lack of support network No Fraternities, TAs, Dorms,

Open Labs Library closed early

Fridays/weekends

…but what you DO have!

One professor for Lecture/Lab/Discussion Small classes No grade curves – you control how well

you want to do My promise - I’ll work as hard as you do I *love* this subject!

Welcome to Physics 4A!

About this class – Syllabus , Calendar , Lectures, Questions are already online

Key Policies – Attendance, Active Participation in Labs, Quizzes & Exams

Welcome to Physics 4A!

Our Textbook is requiredGreat graphicsWide variety of problemsStrong problem solving

strategies

Mastering Physics

Online HW/Learning Systems

Mastering Physics Immediate check you are right/wrongAnswer feedback to help you 24x7 availability anywhereLots of Videoclips, Interactive Problems, Help

& I can see what you got wrong & why

How can you be successful?

Read book before coming to class Introductory HW assignments ~ 1 hourPre-lecture questions online

Start Chapter HW early!Ask questions about words, concepts, Work with friends

How can you be successful?

Do HW problems on paper in a notebookWrite down the problemMake a sketch!

Check answers if you miss a problem.

…and… Check answers even if you did it right!

How can you be successful?

Take notes in class.Print out powerpointsDo lecture problems again at home

Work actively in teams on labsTurn them in on-time, fully completed.Keep your OWN copies, too

Additional resources!

BlackboardHomework Discussion & HelpGroup Lab report storage/work areasAdditional web resources for you

TIPERS for discussions

PhET and ActivePhysics tutorials

Where we go from here….

Complete Force Concept Inventory Pre-test Non-graded

Lab this week

Set up Mastering

Sig Fig’s exercise

A Measurement and Estimation Challenge