Elements of Physics
Summer 2008

Most recently changed on 8/15/2008




This page contains information for the summer 2008 courses.  The summer 2009 courses will be similar.  Of course, dates, possibly class times and rooms will differ, but the basic course content, textbook, etc will most probably be the same.  This page will be updated shortly before the course begins.



Elements of Physics is an algebra based two-semester physics sequence. If you are interested in a calculus based course, please see the General Physics courses, PHY 121 - 123.


PHY 111 K Elements of Physics I

2008 Dates:      May 12 to June 19.

2008 Times:      Class meets Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons 4:00 - 7:00 pm. PHY 114K Labs are all on Tuesday.

Prerequisite:      A good understanding of Algebra.

Brief description:     Elements of Physics I is the first semester of a two semester algebra based physics course intended for science majors. It covers mechanics and heat & thermodynamics.  This material appears in chapters 2 through 15 in the textbook.

Text: Physics Principles and Applications, 6th Edition by Douglas Giancoli.  Either Volume I  or the entire volume is OK.  Physics 111 covers material in the first 15 chapters of this book.  Make certain you get the right book.  Another book by Giancoli is used for Physics 121. 

Instructor: Jerry LaSala


PHY 112 Elements of Physics II

2008 Dates: June 30 to August 7.

Times: Class meets Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in room 165 Science.   PHY 116 labs meet on Tuesday. 

Brief description: This course is a continuation of PHY 111. Topics covered include electricity and magnetism, optics, and relativity.  This material is in chapters 16 through 26 in the book.

Text: same as PHY 111. (Giancoli, Physics - Principles and Applications  6th edition) If you have the complete edition from PHY 111 , you do not need another book.  Volume II  contains all the material covered in PHY 112.  Be certain you get the right book.  Other books by Giancoli are used for other courses. 

Lab: The lab is a separate course - PHY 116.  Be sure to register for PHY 116 if you need lab.

There will be three tests, and material will be covered at the rate of about two chapters per week.  About 1/3 of the classes will be devoted to review and problem solving.

Instructor: Robert Coakley coakley@usm.mREMOVEaine.edu (207) 780-4733


Probable Schedule (including the physics 116 lab course)

6/30    M   Ch 16  Electric Charge, Force and Electric Field
7/1    T  No Lab.  Regular Class meeting 4:00 - 7:00  Ch 17 Potential (V)
7/2    W  NO CLASS
7/3    Th   Review Chapters 16 & 17

7/7    M   Chapters 18 & 19  Electric Current and Electric Circuits
7/8    T   Lab:  Electric Field Plotting and Equipotentials
7/9   W    Review Chapters 18 and 19
7/10   Th   First Test  Ch 16 - 19

7/14   M    Chapter 20  Magnetism
7/15   T    Lab:  Ohm's Law and Electric Circuits
7/16   W   Chapters 21 and 22  Induced emf and Electromagnetism
7/17   Th   Review Chapters 20 - 22

7/21   M   Chapter 23  Light and Optics
7/22   T    Lab:  Magnetic Current Balance
7/23   W   Review Chapter 23
7/24   Th  Second Test  Ch 20 - 23 

7/28   M   Chapter 24  Light Waves and Interference
7/29   T   Lab:  Reflection and Refraction of Light
7/30     W  Chapter  25  Applications of Optics
7/31     Th  Review Chapters 24 and 25

8/4    M  Chapter 26  Relativity
8/5    T    Lab:  Lenses
8/6     W   Review Chapter 26
8/7     Th    Third Test  Ch 24 - 26
   


Problem Assignments - from the problems section at the end of each chapter. (Always Due at the Test)

Ch      Problems

16   1, 5, 7, 10, 12, 23, 26, 28, 33, 36
17   1, 3, 5, 14, 15, 19, 22, 31, 33, 35, 47
18   1, 5, 7, 13, 14, 26, 27, 33, 37
19   1, 5, 7, 11, 17, 20, 51

First Test  Thursday 7/10

20   1, 3, 10, 11, 12, 15, 26, 32, 37, 38
21   1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 14, 17, 33, 36
22   5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13
23   7, 11, 15, 23, 27, 32, 36, 43, 46, 47, 49, 53

Second Test    Thursday 7/24

24   1, 5, 6, 15, 20, 27, 29
25   7, 13, 16, 21, 29, 31, 35, 41, 43, 70
26   1,  3,  5, 11, 12, 15, 17, 22, 26, 29, 45

Third Test    Thursday 8/7