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Phys 223 - Waves and Optics
Syllabus for Physics 223 Fall 2023

Meeting times (virtual hybrid format) :

Lectures: videos posted on Canvas
M: Tutorial 10:30 am - 12:10 pm on zoom (link on Canvas)
W: Lab 10:30 am - 12:10 pm on zoom

Instructor:

Office Hours (via zoom) :

Phone:

Email:

François Lepeintre

M,W: 1 pm - 2 pm, T,Th: 2-3pm. The zoom link is available on Canvas.

(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:

Phys 222 and Math 153 with 2.0 or better


Learning outcomes:

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

  • Solve rotational dynamics problems.
  • Solve problems involving momentum and energy and their conservation for rotational motion.
  • Describe oscillations mathematically and solve problems involving simple harmonic motion.
  • Explain how waves originate and propagate in various media and how ubiquitous they are in our environment.
  • Explain wave-wave and wave-matter interactions, such as reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, and the Doppler effect.
  • Solve problems with different types of waves such as waves on a string, sound waves, EM waves.
  • Draw ray diagrams to produce images produced by mirrors and lenses.
  • 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 Phys& 223.

Course Content:

This class covers rotation and the basic principles of waves and optics. We will study waves (on a spring, sound waves, EM waves), reflection and refraction, lenses, diffraction, interference, duality wave-particle. I will closely follow the text. We should cover chapters 12, 15-17, and 31-35.

Course Format:

The class is virtual 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. Links to the synchronous online sessions are given on Canvas.


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 exams. Exam dates will be given later in the quarter on the class web site (see the calendar). There won't be any makeup exams.

MasteringPhysics homework:

Homework will be assigned three times a week through the MasteringPhysics website. To access the homework sets, sign up for MasteringPhysics by following 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 5% per late day, up to a maximum of 30%.

Tutorial/Lab:

We will meet on line twice a week for a 2 hour tutorial or lab. During this time, we will either go over a tutorial, or conduct an experiment (possibly via videos), 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 available on Canvas. 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).

Labs will be done using the platform PivotInteractives. Instructions to sign up will be given in class.

If working on a lab experiment on line, students will turn in a lab report about a week after the lab (check the date on the homework page). Details about what to turn in for each lab will be given with the lab assignment.

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

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 go to: http://seattlecolleges.edu/HR/about.aspx

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

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