PH 1130: Introduction to Modern Physics

Course Summary

Lecturer:

Prof. Germano S. Iannacchione
Office: OH 212A
Phone: x5631
Email: gsiannac@wpi.edu Office hours: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m., M T W Th F

Hours:

Lecture: 9:00 - 9:50 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays in OH 107

Conferences: All on Tuesdays and Thursdays
    C01 = OH 218        9:00 - 9:50 a.m.            R. Basu
    C02 = SL 123          10:00 - 10:50 a.m.        R. Kafle
    C03 = OH 218        12:00 - 12:50 p.m.       R. Basu
    C04 = OH 218        1:00 - 1:50 p.m.           R. Kafle

Lab Meetings: All in OH 117 (See Schedule and/or Physics PH1100-Level Lab web pages for details)
    C01 = Mondays, 11:00 - 11:50 a.m.            N. Pradhan (Ilo-Okeke)
    C02 = Mondays, 10:00 - 10:50 a.m.            Ilo-Okeke (N. Pradhan)
    C03 = Mondays, 12:00 - 12:50 p.m.            Ilo-Okeke (N. Pradhan)
    C04 = Wednesdays, 2:00 - 2:50 p.m.           N. Pradhan (Ilo-Okeke)

Course Description:

An introduction to the pivotal ideas and developments of modern physics.  

Topics include: special relativity, photoelectric effect, X-rays, Compton scattering, blackbody radiation, DeBroglie waves, uncertainty principle, Bohr theory of the atom, atomic nuclei, radioactivity, and elementary particles.

Recommended background: familiarity with material covered in PH 1110 and PH 1120 (or PH 1111 and PH 1121) and completion of MA 1021 and MA 1022.

Course Organization:

When we start a new topic, a STUDY GUIDE on the web will be available with more or less the following content:

  • A paragraph or so providing a perspective on the material to be covered.
  • Advice on how to approach the material, what topics to concentrate on, etc.
  • A list of objectives, which spells out the tasks we expect you to be able to carry out after you have studied the material.
  • A set of practice problems.
  • A set of problems to be solved for credit.

Textbook:

  • H. D. Young and R. A. Freedman, University Physics with Modern Physics, 11th Edition, with Mastering Physics software.
  • There are many similar books that contain a rich variety of supplementary material.
    The library has a large collection of such physics books, written in many different styles.
    You may want to look at several of these, to find one that best appeals to you.

Examinations:

There will be three in-class exams in OH 107 roughly every two weeks.

You are allowed one 8½×11 sheet of formulas or notes (front and back) and a calculator.
Remember that the purpose of exams is to verify your understanding of the material.

Homework:

There will be about 7 homework assignments via the web:  In your web browser, go to www.masteringphysics.com. 

If this is your first time at this site, follow the instructions that came with your textbook to register.  

You will need the six-word access code. 

If you have registered within the last year, your registration should still be valid.  

If you have any problems, please contact the web site’s help support.  

For your information, WPI’s zip code is 01609. 

After you are registered, you will be able to login at any time using your username and password you have chosen.  

 

At your first login you will be asked to enter the course ID for PH 1130 = PH1130C2006.

 

IF YOU ACQUIRED A USED TEXT, you will need to get the username and password of the previous owner.

BEFORE LOGIN:     Select “View Your Account Summary”

                                    Enter the old username and password

                                    Click on “Edit Account Information”

                                    Make changes to name, username, and password.  

                                    Click on “Save”

It is very important that your name appear on the Mastering Physics roster as it appears on the class-list of PH 1130 in order for you to receive credit for the homeworks properly.

 

Assignment #0 – Introduction to Mastering Physics, is a brief noncredit tutorial on how to enter answers in Mastering Physics.  

Even if you’ve done this before, you should do this assignment to refresh your memory.

(See course Schedule).

Laboratory Reports:

To convince you that the laws of physics work for everyone, you will conduct some experiments.
For each experiment, you are REQUIRED to write a report.
Dates and places will be announced as they become available.
(See course Schedule or Physics PH1100-Level Labs web pages).

Conferences:

The purpose of the conferences is to give you a chance to get your questions answered and to hone your problem solving skills.
Don't be bashful; bring your questions to the conferences, so that the instructor is not forced to lecture to you.
The conference instructor will be assigning some quizzes and one-day homework in order to determine the conference grade.

(See course Schedule)

Grades:

Your final grade will be calculated as follows:

Exams :

70 %

Homeworks :

10 %

Lab Reports :

10 %

Conference :

10 %

Total :

100 %

The breakpoints between NR, C, B, and A will be roughly around 65, 75, and 90.

FOOTNOTES:

Last Modified: 7 March 2005, GSI.