Major Concepts in Physics Lecture 1.

1. Major Concepts in Physics Lecture 1. Prof Simon Catterall Office 309 Physics, x 5978 smc@physics.syr.edu http://physics/courses/PHY102.08Spring PHY102

2. Today … • Course objectives • Course mechanics – lectures, workshops, homework, exams • Grading • Textbook • Making PHY102 a success • Introduction to waves … PHY102

3. Course objectives • Continuation of PHY101 - description of world circa 1890 – Newton’s mechanics, laws of electricity and magnetism • Learn about waves, light, science of thermodynamics and modern physics (relativity and quantum mechanics) PHY102

4. Important Goals • Develop firm understanding of basics via conceptual reasoning, simple problem solving, workshop experiments, lecture demos • Learn some important facts about the world and also how to think critically and problem solve. PHY102

5. Course mechanics • Lectures – here 2:15—3:35 pm Mondays and Wednesdays • Workshops (2 hrs) Thursday/Fridays depending on section • Homework – every 2 weeks in workshop. • 3 midterm exams and 1 Final. • Occasional quizzes in lecture. PHY102

6. Schedule • Mid terms: • Monday Feb 11 • Wednesday March 5 • Monday April 14 • Final: Thursday May 1 PHY102

7. Textbook • Physics by Giambattista, Richardson and Richardson (Cornell) • Emphasis on conceptual aspects • In addition tailored towards MCAT • Essentially equivalent to College Physics 2nd edition by same people. • Roughly corresponds to chapters 22-29 plus a little from 15,16 PHY102

8. Grading • Homeworks 10% • Workshops 15% • Quizzes 10% (4 highest scores) • Midterms 30% (2 highest scores) • Final 35% • Grade limits – not stricter than • 60% - C- • 80% - B- • 90% - A- PHY102

9. How to make PHY102 a success • Attend and ask questions in lecture (quizzes!) • Do homework ! Great for cementing knowledge. Late homeworks will not be accepted! • Actively participate in workshops • Ask for help: TAs either in workshop or at Physics clinic or me PHY102

10. Other useful information • Course secretary Arlene Johnston rm 111 Physics Bldg. x 1915 johnston@physics.syr.edu • Administrative matter, add/drop forms etc • Office hrs: 2-3:00 pm Thursdays or by appointment • Visit Physics clinic 113 (next to Arlene) staffed by Physics TAs most times … PHY102

11. Introduction to Waves Light Water PHY102

12. More examples Sound waves PHY102

13. General features • Waves are a disturbance in some material that repeats periodically in time • They often transport energy from one place to another without net movement of mass/particles • Many types: sound – motion of air molecules, light – oscillation of electric and magnetic fields … • Any material system when disturbed … PHY102

14. Waves in materials • Coupled rods demo • Slinky demo PHY102

15. Types of wave Transverse waves Longitudinal waves PHY102

16. Earthquakes PHY102

17. Oscillations • Typically elements of material through which wave is passing oscillate around some equilibrium position • Simplest type of oscillation is called simple harmonic motion • Example: simple springs and pendulum • In absence of friction – goes on forever PHY102

18. Simple harmonic motion PHY102

19. Features • Amplitude A of oscillation – maximum distance reached • Period T – repeat time. Also frequency f=1/T • Mathematically y=Asin(2p t/T) • Occurs when restoring force proportional to displacement from equilibrium • The amplitude of the simplest type of wave at a fixed position varies in just the same way! PHY102

20. General wave function • At single instant of time see slinky also looks has sine/cosine profile • y=Asin(2p x/l) • l is called the wavelength • General: y=Asin( 2p t/T - 2p x/l) • k= 2p /l wavenumber • w= 2p /T =2pf angular frequency • Direction of propagation ? PHY102

21. Wave speed • Writing w=2pf, k=2p/l y=Asin(wt-kx) • Wave speed v=fl=w/k • True for all wave motions! PHY102