Physics 203
Modern Physics
Fall 2012

17 December 2012

Meeting: DLR 1  1:00 - 2:15 PM TTh       
Text: Modern Physics (3rd edition!) by Serway, Moses & Moyer
View the grade spreadsheet .  All items are graded.
Course Policies
Notes  [a pdf file, about 2.4 MB] [updated 29 August 2012]  

Assignment Assigned What Due
0.5 24 August

Read Chapter One

 
1 28 August

 Chapter One:  Problems 1, 2, 3                  
                       POSTED

 30 August
2 4 September

 Chapter One:  Questions 2, 3, 6, 7
  Problems 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10  (the numerical answer for 1.7 in the back of the text is not 100% correct.)
                      POSTED

 11 September
3 11 September

 Chapter One:   
 Problems 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, 21
                    POSTED

 18 September
3.5 11 September Read Chapter Two  
4 18 September

 Chapter One:  Problems 23, 24
 Chapter Two:  Question  3
                       POSTED

20 September
5 20 September

 Chapter Two: 
 Problems 1, 2, 9, 11, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 28
                      POSTED , POSTED

 27 September
5.5 25 September Read Chapter Three  
6a 2 October

 Chapter Three:  
 Problems  2, 3, 4 

 4 October
6b 11 October

Chapter Three:
Problems 8, 10, 11
                            POSTED

 16 October
Exam One  

 Chapters One & Two
Notes: pp2-23
equations
Who was Louise Fazenda?

  11 October
Alternative Exam Time:  3:30 12 October.
7  18 October

 Chapter Three: 
 Problems  12, 13, 16, 17
                        POSTED

    23 October
7.5 25 October

Read Chapter Four

 
8  25 October  Chapter Three:
 Problems  23, 24, 25 , 30, 43
 Chapter Four:   Problems 3 
                      POSTED		  30 October
8a 30 October  Chapter Four:
 Problems 3, 7, 8
 There is a typo in 4.7:  Should be 10.21 mm, not nm.
                       POSTED		 1 November
9 1 November

  Chapter Four:
  Problems 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 32, 35
                            POSTED

 8 November
9.5  6 November Read Chapter Five  
10  8 November

 Chapter Five:
 Problems 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
                     POSTED 

 13 November
Exam Two  

 Chapters Three & Four
Notes:  pp25-33, 41-48
equations
For what kind of film roles was Louise Brooks famous?

 15 November
11 15 November

 Chapter Five:
 Problems 18, 19, 23, 27, 28, 31
                     POSTED

 27 November
11.5 20 November

Read Chapter Six  & Chapter Eight

  
12  27 November   Chapter Six:
  Problems 2, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 24, 29, 30
                     POSTED		  4 December
12.5  

Read Chapter Eight again

  
13     Chapter Eight: 
  Problems 2, 10, 11, 19, 23
                    POSTED		 Some one did the Chapt. 8 Assignment.
So, if you turn in the Chapt. 8 problems, there will be extra points.
13.5  November

Read Chapter Nine

 
14     Chapter Nine:
 Problems  6, 11, 12, 21, 22
                   POSTED		  
Exam Three  

  Chapters Five &
Six (Sections 6.1-6.4, 6.7) &
              Eight (Sections 8.1-8.3, 8.5) 
 equations
When was Louise Dresser nominated for an "Oscar", and for what movie?

 "1" December
Final Exam  

 Chapters 1-6, 8, 9
 equations
What was special about silent film star Louise Lester?

   11 December

Physics 203

Fall 2012

MEETING: Rm. 1 DeLaRoche, 1:00  - 2:15 PM TTh
TEXT: Modern Physics 3rd edition by Serway, Moses, and Moyer
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. J. Kiefer
OFFICE: 120B DLR
OFFICE HOURS: TTh 11:30 - 12:30; WF 2:30 - 4:30; or by appointment or walking in
Web Page:  Moodle

Modern Physics deals with the physical principles developed roughly from 1900 onward. The challenges have been to explain certain experimental observations and to reconcile the "laws" of mechanics with those of electromagnetism. There are basically two threads in this development, Einstein’s relativity and quantum physics. Quantum physics in particular underlies all of what we like to think of as modern technology.

The work required of you in this course has three components: problem assignments, period examinations, and a final examination. Each problem assignment will have a due date. An assignment submitted after its due date will be assessed a 50% penalty. The solutions to each problem assignment will be available at some time after its due date. Assignments will not be accepted after the solutions are posted. The period examinations will be given during certain class periods, and will include problems and brief-discussion questions. At the end of the semester, there will be a comprehensive final examination, similar in format to the period examinations. The purpose of these examinations is to provide you opportunities to demonstrate your mastery of the concepts of Modern Physics.

If an examination is missed for reasons of illness or an emergency, it may be made up in a special exam session to be scheduled later. However, an exam may be made up only if arrangement is made with the instructor in a timely manner—within a week of the end of the illness or emergency.

The course grade will be based on:

a) homework assignments (20%)

b) period examinations (60%)

c) comprehensive final examination (20%)

Letter grades are assigned according to the following scheme:

 

90% . . . .

A

86.67% .

A-

83.33%. .

B+

80% . . . .

B

76.67%. .

B-

73.33%. .

C+

70% . . . .

C

66.67%. .

C-

63.33%. .

D+

60% . . . .

D

56.67%. .

D-

<56.67%. .

F

 

Do not hesitate to ask questions in class or to come to the instructor's office. Do not spend hours puzzling over a homework problem. Discuss it with a colleague or the course instructor or another faculty member.

Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding the University Policy on Academic Honesty.

Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact the Disability Support Services Office, Doyle room 26, at 375-2065 as soon as possible to better ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.