Penn State Lehigh Valley

Physics 250 Mechanics

Fall 2020

INSTRUCTOR: Tracey Carbonetto Office: Virtual

PHONE: 610-349-5520 E-MAIL: tcarbonetto@psu.edu

TIME AND LOCATION:

 Lecture Physics 250: Zoom MWF 9:05 AM – 9:55 AM
 Office hours: Zoom MWF 1l:00 AM - 12:00 PM

CREDIT HOURS: 4.00

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Algebra-based introduction to classical mechanics, including such topics as one- and two-dimensional motion,
vectors, relative and circular motion, force and dynamics, Newton's laws of motion, work and kinetic energy,
potential energy and energy conservation, momentum, rotational motion and angular velocity, static equilibrium
and properties of materials, static and moving fluids, vibrations, simple harmonic motion, general properties of
waves, sound and human hearing, temperature and kinetic theory, heat and calorimetry, and the basic laws of
thermodynamics. This course is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of the elementary
physics principles mentioned above, as well as their applications to everyday phenomena and to the life
sciences, to enhance their conceptual understanding of physical laws, and to increase their problem solving
abilities especially as applied to physical systems. 

TEXTBOOKS: see CANVAS

GRADING: Your grade will be determined from:

 Laboratory 20%
 Weekly Assessments (15 @ 3 % each) 45%
 Participation, homework assignments 35%
TOTAL 100%

Penn State University letter grade equivalents:

100-93 90-93 87-90 83-87 80-83 77-80 73-77 65-73 65-0
- +
A A B B B- C+ C D F

ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend all lectures. Active participation from students in classroom
discussions is anticipated.

FREE TUTORING RESOURCE: Peer tutoring service is available at The Learning Center. Students are
strongly encouraged to use the free service.

DISCLAIMER: The instructor reserves the right to change any of the above information due to unforeseen
reasons.

NOTE TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the
University's educational programs. If you have a disability-related need for reasonable academic adjustments in
this course, contact Disability Services located in 211 Saucon at 610-285-5124. For further information
regarding the Office of Disability Services, please visit their web site at Office of Disability Services:
1
http://www.equity.psu.edu/ods/. Instructors should be notified as early in the semester as possible regarding the
need for reasonable academic adjustments. Please see this link for additional policy information:
https://psu.app.box.com/s/3x6wiq6ftwihk7t3ys3ooqudaaxmekyy

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and
responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The
Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance
with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, the University’s Code of Conduct states that all students
should act with personal integrity, respect other students’ dignity, rights and property, and help create and
maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts.
Academic integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or
deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and
compromise the worth of work completed by others. (see Faculty Senate Policy 49-20:
http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/47-00.html#49-20 and G-9 Procedures: http://www.psu.edu/oue/aappm/G-9-
academic-integrity.html)
The full Code of conduct at Student Code of Conduct: http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/conduct/codeofconduct/