PHYS 101x Mechanics, Part 1

These links provide information on all aspects of the class. If you have a
question on the course management not answered here, email Prof.
Hafner at: hafner@rice.edu

Course Topics and Reading Assignments

Courseware

External Resources

Grading Policy

Due Dates and Times

Collaboration Guidelines

Forum Guidelines

Course Topics and Reading Assignments (top)

There is no specific textbook for PHYS101x. Any standard calculus-based

intro physics textbooks will suffice. It doesn't even need to be new - intro
physics hasn't changed much over the past hundred years! A free online
textbook is available from OpenStax. For whatever book you use, here are
topics for each Learning Sequence are listed below;

LS1. One-Dimensional Kinematics - position, velocity, acceleration, and how

they are related through calculus.

LS2. Two-Dimensional Kinematics - trajectories, circular motion, and relative

motion.

LS3. Newton's Laws - the Laws of Motion, the behavior of different forces,
and the resulting kinematics.

LS4. Energy - work and kinetic energy, potential energy, energy

conservation, friction and internal energy.
LS5. Momentum and Collisions - electric current, resistance, batteries,
Ohm's Law, DC circuits with resistors and capacitors

Courseware (top)

Under the Courseware tab you will find the lectures, lecture problems, and
homework assignments. If you are unable to stream the videos, there are
download links for both the video and the transcript. Below each video is an
image of the complete chalk board. Click it to see a magnified view.

External Resources (top)

Here are several links that previous students have found useful:

Introduction to Work and Energy (Khan Academy)

Introduction to Vectors and Scalars (Khan Academy)

Trigonometry and Precalculus (Khan Academy)

Calculating Derivatives (Khan Academy)

Indefinite and Definite Integrals (Khan Academy)

Grading Policy (top)

Lecture Problems: Each unit contains a few conceptual problems to help you
understand the material. You have unlimited submissions to get these
problems correct, and the answer will be available after your first
attempt. Your score on the Lecture Problems is only 10% of your final
grade.

Homework Problems: At the end of each Learning Sequence is a homework

problem set. On these problems you have three attempts for numerical and
formula response, and two attempts for multiple choice. Numerical response
answers will be considered correct if within plus or minus 5% of the exact
answer. The answer will be available after you have given the correct
answer or have exhausted all of your submissions. Your total score on the
homework problems counts for 40% of your final grade.

Exam: The exams consists of about 20 numeric response, formula entry, and
multiple choice problems similar in style to the homework. You may use the
course materials, your physics book, and a calculator, but no other sources
of assistance. The exam counts for 50% of your grade.

Due Dates

This course is self-paced, so there are no due dates!

Collaboration Guidelines (top)

Working with fellow students can be an effective way to learn. However,

you must be careful not to rely too much on others, and be sure you
understand the material yourself. You are welcome to discuss the Lecture
Problems and Homework with other students in the forum. However, you
should not post answers or exact solutions. Follow these guidelines:

1. It is okay to discuss the general approach to solving a problem.

2. It is okay to work with others to come up with the general steps for a
solution.

3. It is okay to give or receive hints if you get stuck while attempting a

problem.

4. You should work out the details of the solution yourself.

5. It is not okay to simply copy someone else's solution or answer.

6. It is not okay to simply plug your own numbers into someone else's
formula in order to get a final answer.

7. It is not okay to look at a step-by-step solution to a problem before its

deadline has passed.
8. It is not okay to share or receive answers to an assignment before its
deadline has passed.

9. it is okay to let someone show you a few steps of a solution, provided you
have already given a wholehearted attempt to solve it by yourself and have
been stuck for some time.

10. After you have collaborated with others in generating a correct solution,
you should be able to do a very similar problem on your own.

The course staff will be proactive in removing posts and responses in the
discussion forum that have stepped over the line. Note that these
guidelines do not apply to the exam. You must complete the exam on
your own, using only course materials and a standard physics textbook.

Forum Guidelines (top)

The discussion forum is the primary way for you to communicate with other
students and the course staff. We hope that the forum serves as a
useful resource, and that the students of PHYS102x develop a sense of
community.

Keep it organized: While you are always welcome to start a new thread, note
that most material in the course includes a “Show Discussion” link below it.
Clicking on this link will show all discussions on the forum associated with
that particular exercise or video, and if you post your question there it will
remain associated with the right content. This is a good first place to go for
help!

Eschew obfuscation and espouse elucidation: Write a concise yet descriptive

title for your post, and provide enough information for others to understand
the question or comment. Correct spelling and grammar will help others to
understand you and provide useful responses. Avoid using ALL
CAPS, abbrv of wrds (abbreviation of words), and excessive
punctuation!!!!!!!!!

Upvote good posts: Click on the green “plus” button so that good posts
and/or responses can be found more easily. Also, you can search by votes to
find the most interesting posts.
Notify staff of bugs/errata: Including the term “BUG” at the beginning of
your post’s title will help notify the course staff of any courseware related
issues or problems. Please use this format only when reporting issues in the
courseware!

Be polite: You are participating in a global classroom, with students from

around the world and often with very different backgrounds. Let’s build a
positive community!

Observe the Honor Code: We encourage collaboration and learning

communities, but please avoid asking for and/or posting answers to
assignments. Those caught cheating may have their accounts disabled and
their progress erased.