Physics 142 Syllabus

General College Physics II

Spring 2022

Professor Lecture Info Office Hours

Calvin Berggren TR 10:30 – 11:45 W 12:30 – 1:30

Office: Krost 314 Krost 210 R 4:00 – 5:00
cberggren@tlu.edu F 2:00 – 3:00
(830) 372-6433

Course Description: A general course in physics covering charge, electric and magnetic fields, circuits,
electromagnetic waves, geometric optics, and thermal physics, with emphasis on algebraic and
trigonometric mathematical treatments and problem solving.

Student Learning Objectives:

• gain high-level problem-solving skills, learn how to solve physical problems using algebra, and
learn to use quantitative and analytical skills in modeling physical systems
• learn how to make sense of physical situations, develop a deeper conceptual understanding of
physical processes, and relate course content to their own majors and the real world
• improve ability to communicate understanding of physical situations and solutions to problems
• develop an understanding of thermodynamics; optics; electric forces, fields, and voltage; circuit
elements; energy and its conservation; and magnetic forces and fields

Course Webpage: Brightspace (tlu.brightspace.com)

Prerequisites: college-level algebra (MATH 133 or higher) and the first semester of General College
Physics (PHYS 141)

Text: Randall D. Knight, Brian Jones, Stuart Field, College Physics: A Strategic Approach, 4th Edition. This
is the same textbook used for PHYS 141, and we will cover chapters 11-12 and 17-25 this semester.
Many of you have the 2nd edition from PHYS 141, and this edition is acceptable.

Lecture Procedures: The intention is to conduct lectures with as much face-to-face style as
circumstances allow. You should plan to be in the classroom for every lecture that is scheduled, and the
class will be adhering to all of the university’s policies to prevent the spread of contagious disease. If you
are not able to come to class due to TLU policy, then the lectures will be made available over Teams, and
you should be prepared to join there at the scheduled time.

Exams: There will be two midterm examinations and a final examination. Dates are in the lecture
schedule below and will be held in class. The final will be cumulative. Missing exams will only be
permitted in the most extreme cases and must be approved in advance. Missing an exam for an
unexcused reason will result in a failing grade for the course.
For each exam (and quiz), you may use the equation sheet distributed by the professor, and the sheet
must have no additional writing.

Grades: Grades will be determined from a weighting of all the elements of the course as follows:

1st midterm exam 17%

2nd midterm exam 17%
Final exam 21%
Reading quizzes 10%
Homework 10%
Homework quizzes 5%
Recitation 5%
Lab 15%

The final numerical average will be converted to a letter grade using the following curve:

A grade of "Incomplete" will only be given under dire circumstances beyond a student’s control, and
only when work already completed is of at least C quality.

Readings: There will be readings assigned for each class. You will be required to complete the reading
and fill out a reading quiz the night before each class by 11:59 pm. This is important because the lecture
will be adapted based on the quiz. Late submissions will not be accepted unless approved ahead of time.

Homework Subscription: Our homework will be done through an internet subscription service,
Mastering Physics. You will also upload your work for specified problems to the course site. If your work
does not support your answer on Mastering Physics, then you will not get credit for the problem.

If you do not have a Mastering Physics subscription from PHYS 141, you may buy it separately online at
the Pearson website (about $80 for two years). The Course ID is berggren84430.

Homework: Working on homework problems is central to your learning the course material. You will
have a weekly problem set with conceptual and work-out problems of varying difficulty, due as listed on
the Mastering Physics website. Generally, homework will be due by 11:59 pm on Fridays. Unless
permission is given otherwise, late homework will not be accepted. However, your lowest homework
score will be dropped.

Note, with Mastering Physics you have four chances to submit each homework part for grading, with a
small penalty for each submission. The intention is that if you miss a problem the first time around, you
have another opportunity to try to get it.
You are encouraged to work with your peers on homework and learn from each other. However, when
you submit an assignment online or on paper, you are stating that the solutions that you are presenting
are your own, and not copied out of a book or from a friend. You will only learn from doing the problems
if in the end you can formulate your own solutions! Violation of this policy is considered cheating.

Homework Quizzes: Many times during the semester, we will have a quiz covering the problems from
the most recent homework due. These quizzes are designed to give you practice for the exams. The quiz
will be similar to a problem from the homework. You may use your equation sheet during the quiz.

Labs: This course includes a lab component. Missing a lab for an unexcused reason is very serious, and
the professor reserves the right to drop-fail a student for two unexcused lab absences, in addition to
receiving a zero on that lab. Further policies for lab will be detailed in a separate document.

Academic Integrity: The professor pledges to exhibit complete integrity in every aspect of the course,
and you must do the same. In all respects, we will adhere to the Texas Lutheran University code of
conduct. Any breach of academic integrity, such as cheating on homework or exams, is considered a
serious offense and may warrant a 0 on the assignment and/or a failing grade in the course and/or
disciplinary action from the university.

Note: This can be a difficult course, and you should expect to put in appropriate effort to be successful.
If you are in trouble (behind in homework, doing worse in the course than you would like, etc.) for
whatever reason, make sure to talk to me, and I will try to help!

TLU Policies: For information on ADA policy, accommodations, nondiscrimination, and other TLU
Policies, refer to the TLU Common Syllabus.

Note: This syllabus is not a contract and can be changed at any time at the sole discretion of the
professor. Any changes will be clearly communicated to the class.
Lecture Schedule:

Week Date Lecture Topics Text Notes

1 Jan 10 optics, reflection 18
2 Jan 17 refraction, lenses, mirrors 18
3 Jan 24 diffraction, interference, optical instruments 17,19
4 Jan 31 charge, electric forces, electric fields 20
5 Feb 7 electric fields 20 exam 2/8
6 Feb 14 voltage, electric energy 21
7 Feb 21 capacitance, electric current 21,22
8 Feb 28 resistance, circuits 22
9 Mar 7 circuits 23
Mar 14 spring break
10 Mar 21 magnetic fields, magnetic forces 24
11 Mar 28 electromagnetic induction 25 exam 3/29
12 Apr 4 electromagnetic induction, EM waves 25
13 Apr 11 thermal energy, kinetic theory 11,12
14 Apr 18 ideal gases, thermodynamic processes, entropy 11,12
15 Apr 25 heat transfer, calorimetry 12
final exam final 4/29