Syllabus

PHY2020 Conceptual Physics

CRN 10102
Spring 2021
CAS, Dept. of Chemistry and Physics

Instructor Office Phone # email Office hours

Michael Fauerbach, Ph.D.
590- by appointment
Professor, Physics & WH247 mfauerba@fgcu.edu
7219 (via zoom)
Astronomy

Minimum Technology Requirements for Students:

Access to and ongoing use of a computer is required for all students. FGCU recommends
that each student entering the University acquire computer hardware and software appropriate to
his or her degree program. Coursework requires use of a computer and a broadband connection
to the Internet. Official University correspondence often is sent via e-mail, and other services are
provided that require access through the Internet.

Detailed information, including vendor links for discounts to FGCU students, is available
at Minimum Technology Requirements for Students. Students with additional questions can
contact the following: FGCU Help Desk at helpdesk@fgcu.edu for technology questions; your
instructor for course-specific questions; or the Eagles Care! Team at care@fgcu.edu.

Class Meetings: Tuesday and Thursday 1:30-2:45pm via zoom

Link to the meeting will be emailed via Canvas the day before the class meeting

Text: Paul G. Hewitt, Conceptual Physics, 12th edition, Pearson

Modified Mastering Physics access for the above book
Make sure you get the ‘Modified’ version as only this one links directly through Canvas
and is the version we will use.

Prerequisites: none

Topics: A qualitative, non-mathematical investigation of physics, emphasizing its influence on life

today. The course will cover topics in classical mechanics, thermodynamics and electricity and
magnetism.

Learning Outcomes:

•Differentiate between and among the concepts of work, power, energy, and conservation of
energy; examine the applications of these concepts and use them to interpret and explain natural
phenomena.
• Describe the concept of conservation of momentum, examine its applications, and use it to
interpret and explain natural phenomena.
• Apply the concepts of momentum and energy to explain collisions.
• Describe the concept of circular motion and use it to explain natural phenomena.
• Use the laws of rotational kinematics to compare linear motion with rotational motion.
• Explain the law of gravitation as it relates to natural phenomena.
• Analyze the conditions for static and rotational equilibrium and use the concept of torque to
explain natural phenomena.
• Describe the concepts related to fluid pressure and buoyancy.
• Explain the properties of oscillations, waves and the Doppler effect; apply these concepts to
natural phenomena.
• Use the kinetic theory of gases to distinguish between “heat” and “temperature”; interpret and
apply the concept to explain natural phenomena.
• Interpret and apply the laws of thermodynamics to explain natural phenomena.
• Recognize thermal properties and processes and use them to explain and interpret thermal
phenomena.
• Understand basic principles of electrostatics and utilize them to explain natural phenomena.
• Understand basic principles of direct and alternating current and their applications.

Lecture Material: During our synchronous online class meetings, we will discuss the topics and
concepts covered in your readings. It is important that you read the assigned chapter in the textbook
before you come to class. Please, do not expect me to just read the textbook to you!

Homework: You will perform the homework activities online, either by yourself or in a small
group. Simply copying the homework assignment from somebody else is considered cheating and
will be treated as such. There will be a homework assignment for every chapter that we cover plus
a mandatory honors pledge (HW 0), which will serve as the required FGCU first week assignment.
All homework assignments will be due on the day of our class meetings at 11:59am, except on
exam days. Late assignments will not be accepted, so please do not wait until the last minute to
start your assignments. I will drop your lowest homework score at the end of the semester. The
homework will contribute 18% to your final grade. We will utilize Modified MasteringPhysics for
the homework. You will access the website and homework through Canvas.

Quiz: We will have a brief attendance quiz at the end of each class -except on exam days- via
Canvas. The quizzes will be worth 12% of your overall grade. I will drop your lowest quiz score at
the end of the semester.

Exams: There will be three (3) in class exams during the semester. These exams will mainly focus
on the material covered since the previous exam, however, some of it might build on previous
material. We will also have a comprehensive Final Exam, which can be used to replace your lowest
exam score (i.e. you do not have to take the Final, if you do not want to). There will be no makeup
exams! We will utilize the Lockdown browser for the exams with the option at my discretion to
also utilize the Respondus Monitor (webcam) program. In addition you have to abide by the honors
pledge -see HW 0- that strictly prohibits you from utilizing any outside source, books, people,
websites, etc. and that prohibits you from sharing any of the exam material in any way.

Grades: Here is a summary of the different components that will contribute to your final grade:

Area Grade
Homework 18%
Quizzes (in class) 12%
Exams 70%
The overall grading scale will be as follows:

Total Score [%] Grade

90.0 – 100 A
80.0 – 89.9 B
70.0 – 79.9 C
60.0 – 69.9 D
Below 60 F

Academic Behavior Standards and Academic Dishonesty: All students are expected to
demonstrate honesty in their academic pursuits. The university policies regarding issues of
honesty can be found in the FGCU Student Guidebook under the Student Code of Conduct and
Policies and Procedures sections. All students are expected to study this document which outlines
their responsibilities and consequences for violations of the policy. The FGCU Student
Guidebook is available online at http://studentservices.fgcu.edu/judicialaffairs/new.html

University Nondiscrimination Statement: Florida Gulf Coast University is committed to

ensuring equity and fairness for all University employees, students, visitors, vendors, contractors
and other third parties. As such, the University prohibits discrimination on the bases of race, color,
national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, sex (including sexual harassment/assault), gender
identity/expression, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or genetic predisposition with
regard to admissions, employment, programs or other activities operated by the University. This
prohibition extends to enforcement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Questions
or complaints should be directed to the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC). The
OIEC’s phone number is (239)745-4366; the OIEC email address is OIEC@fgcu.edu.

Disability Accommodations Services: Florida Gulf Coast University, in accordance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act and the university’s guiding principles, will provide classroom and
academic accommodations to students with documented disabilities. If you need to request an
accommodation in this class due to a disability, or you suspect that your academic performance is
affected by a disability, please see me or contact the Office of Adaptive Services. The Office of
Adaptive Services is located in the Community Counseling Center. The phone number is 239-590-
7956 or Video Phone (VP) 239-243-9453. In addition to classroom and campus accommodations,
individuals with disabilities are encouraged to create their personal emergency evacuation plan and
FGCU is committed to providing information on emergency notification procedures. You can find
information on the emergency exits and Areas of Rescue Assistance for each building, as well as
other emergency preparedness materials on the Environmental Health and Safety and University
Police Department websites. If you will need assistance in the event of an emergency due to a
disability, please contact Adaptive Services for available services and information.

Student Observance of Religious Holidays: All students at Florida Gulf Coast University have a
right to expect that the University will reasonably accommodate their religious observances,
practices, and beliefs. Students, upon prior notification to their instructors, shall be excused from
class or other scheduled academic activity to observe a religious holy day of their faith. Students
shall be permitted a reasonable amount of time to make up the material or activities covered in their
absence. Students shall not be penalized due to absence from class or other scheduled academic
activity because of religious observances. Where practicable, major examinations, major
assignments, and University ceremonies will not be scheduled on a major religious holy day. A
student who is to be excused from class for a religious observance is not required to provide a
second party certification of the reason for the absence.

The following is a very tentative schedule! I reserve the right to change or add requirements
at anytime. These changes will be announced/discussed in class and you can find them on
the class web page. So please, check the web page regularly

Date Reading Comments

January T 12 Chapter 1
R 14 Chapter 2
T 19 Chapter 3
R 21 Chapter 4
T 26 Chapter 5
R 28 Chapter 6
February T 2 Chapter 7
R 4 Chapter 8
T 9 Chapter 8 cont’d
R 11 Chapter 9
T 16
R 18 EXAM 1
T 23 Chapter 11
R 25 Chapter 12
March T 2 Chapter 13
R 4 Chapter 14
T 9 Chapter 15
R 11 Chapter 16
T 16 Chapter 17
R 18 Chapter 18
T 23 EXAM 2
R 18 Chapter 19
T 30 Chapter 20
LAST DAY TO
April R 1 Chapter 21 WITHDRAW:
Friday April 2
T 6 Chapter 22
R 8 Chapter 23
T 13 Chapter 24
R 15 Chapter 25
T 20 EXAM 3
R 22
T 27 Final Exam Note: 12:30pm!!!