Physics

Phys 221 - Mechanics

Syllabus for Physics 221 Winter 2026

Meeting times (hybrid format) :

Lectures: videos posted on Canvas
T: Tutorial 10:30 am - 12:10 pm in SAM 206
Th: Lab 10:30 am - 12:10 pm in SAM 205

Instructor:

Office hours:

Phone:

Email:

François Lepeintre

M, W 9:30-10:20 am (zoom link is on Canvas), T in SAM 206,Th in SAM 205: 12:10 - 1:00 pm

(206) 934-5438

Francois.Lepeintre@seattlecolleges.edu

Textbooks:

Required:
"Physics for Scientists and Engineers" by Randall D. Knight (5th edition).
"Tutorials in Introductory Physics" by Lillian McDermott, Peter Shaffer and the Physics Education Group.

Prerequisites:

Math 151 and 1 year of high school physics

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course, students will be able to do the following:

Demonstrate problem solving skills for kinematics problems in one and two dimensions.
Demonstrate fluency in visualizing and graphically representing motion.
Solve problems using vectors.
Identify and classify forces in a variety of physical situations and draw the corresponding free-body diagrams.
Apply Newton’s laws of motion to a variety of one-dimensional and two-dimensional physical situations.
Solve problems involving impulse and momentum, work and energy, as well as conservation laws.
Analyze a physical system to decide what information and principles are relevant to understanding the behavior of the system.
Use scientific methods, analyze physical systems, apply quantitative measures to answer questions, and solve problems through experiments and hands-on activities based on the principles introduced in Physics 221.

Course Content:

This class covers the basic principles of mechanics. We will study kinematics, Newton's laws, work and energy, and linear and angular momentum (if time allows). I will closely follow the text. We should cover the first 11 chapters.

Course Format:

The class is hybrid. Lectures will be posted on canvas. Topics of the lectures are given on the class calendar. There are also a 2-hour lab and a 2-hour tutorial, during which you will have the opportunity to apply the concepts covered in lecture.

Grading:

3 exams: 50% (the two best scores count for 20% each, the lowest score counts for 10%)
Labs + tutorials: 35%
Mastering Physics (reading assignments + problems): 15%

Exams:

There will be 3 in-class exams. Exam dates will be given later in the quarter on the class web site (see the calendar).

Homework:

Homework will be assigned three times a week. It will consist of MasteringPhysics assignments and written assignments (tutorial homework/Lab reports). It is listed on the homework page of the class web site. To sign up for MasteringPhysics, follow these instructions.

Though you may discuss how to approach a problem with other students in the class (and I encourage you to do so), your final work has to be yours.

You may complete any MasteringPhysics assignment late. However, there is a penalty of 2% per late day, up to a maximum of 30%.

Tutorial/Lab:

We will meet twice a week for a 2 hour tutorial or lab. During this time, we will either go over a tutorial, or conduct an experiment, or go over problems together.

All lab/tutorial work is done in groups of four students.

If working on a tutorial, students will work through an activity in the tutorial book. Prior to the tutorial activity, students will take a pretest in class. Any student attempting the pretest will receive 100% on the pretest. At the end of the tutorial sessions, each group may be asked to turn in their work. Also, for every tutorial that we do in class, tutorial homework will be assigned from the homework tutorial book. It will typically be due the following week (check the date on the homework page).

If working on a lab experiment, students will turn in a lab report about a week after the lab (check the date on the homework page). I will give you details about what to turn in for each lab.

Lab reports and tutorial homework assignments will be turned in as group assignments on Canvas. You may turn in your work up to two days late. However, there is a 10% penalty per late day.

Attendance:

Attendance in lab and tutorial is required.

Special Assistance:

Students with documented disabilities who need course accommodations, have emergency medical information, or require special arrangements for building evacuation should contact the instructor within the first two weeks of class.

Title IX:

Seattle Central College seeks to provide an environment that is free of bias, discrimination, and harassment. If you have been the victim of sexual harassment/misconduct/assault we encourage you to report this. For more information about your options at Seattle Central, please follow this link.

My contract to you!

If you come to class, do your homework and genuinely try to learn the concepts, I promise you to do my best to make your time as valuable as I can!

Miscellaneous items

Click on this link to access valuable information about emergency preparedness, building evacuation, student support services, etc

My contract to you!	If you come to class, do your homework and genuinely try to learn the concepts, I promise you to do my best to make your time as valuable as I can!
Miscellaneous items	Click on this link to access valuable information about emergency preparedness, building evacuation, student support services, etc