PHYSICS
103
Physics
of the Environment
Specifics: Meets in Dana 146, 1:00-2:15 p.m. TTh
Professor Cain, Office: Dana 142, lacain@davidson.edu, phone: -2347
Office hours: To be determined after consultation with the class
Our text: Energy: Its Use and the Environment, Hinrichs and Kleinbach, 3rd Edition, Harcourt College Publishers.
Objective: This course is a study of the physical laws and processes that underlie environmental phenomena. Our special focus and main thread will be energy. We will examine not only the physical laws and processes themselves, but also some of the technical, economic and social consequences of these laws and processes. Our goal is to help you to better understand the complex decisions that are related to all environmental issues, especially energy use.
Class time: Class periods will be a combination of lecture, demonstrations, hands-on exercises, conceptual problems and discussions, multimedia presentations, and interactions with your classmates and me. These class periods will amplify and supplement your study of the textbook. In order for you to get the most out of this method, it is imperative that you read the relevant textbook material before coming to class and several times after.
Homework: I will assign, by chapter, questions, problems and, at various times, hands-on exercises that are to be done and handed in at the assigned time. This course does not have a regular laboratory period. However, some of your homework will be done in a laboratory setting so that you will understand how scientists work. Homework to be handed in can be discussed only with other members of this class and with me, but the answer you put on your paper must be your own, without assistance from anyone else. You may not use work done by others in previous classes of Physics 103. Your pledge on the homework will signify your adherence to these rules. Late work will not be accepted without prior permission, unsupported answers will not receive full credit, and unpledged work will not be counted.
Mathematics: As with any physics course, we will use appropriate mathematics - at the level of basic algebra and trigonometry in this course.
Attendance: Class attendance for a course such as this is critical. The class structure assumes your active intellectual participation on a daily basis. You will fail the course with more than 6 (six) absences for any excuse. Sign in for yourself by initialing the posted sheet every day you are present.
Reviews/Exam: There will be three reviews during the semester. These will be composed of work similar to that done in class and on homework assignments: short-answer, definitions, conceptual, discussion and computation. The exam is a cumulative one. It will be self-scheduled during the regular exam period.
Grading: Homework/Exercises - 30%, Reviews - 45%, Final Exam - 25%.
The schedule below is approximate and is subject to change. It is a guide to where I hope we will be during a given week. The only days fixed on this schedule will be the days for the REVIEWS. Put them on your schedule now.
|
Week of Monday |
Topics |
Text Chapter(s) |
|
Aug. 25 |
Introduction |
Ch. 1 |
|
Sept. 01 |
Introduction |
Ch. 1, Ch. 19 |
|
Sept. 08 |
Energy Mechanics Energy Conservation and Conservation of Energy Thermodynamics |
Ch. 2 Ch. 3 Ch. 4 |
|
Sept. 15 |
Thermodynamics Home Energy Considerations Solar Energy |
Ch. 4 Ch. 5 Ch. 6 |
|
Sept. 22 |
Tuesday, September 23 - REVIEW #1 (Ch. 1-4)
|
|
|
Sept. 29 |
Solar Energy Fossil Fuels |
Ch. 6 Ch. 7 |
|
Oct. 06 |
Air Pollution Global Warming, Ozone Depletion |
Ch. 8 Ch. 9 |
|
Oct. 13 |
Fall Break, October 13-14
|
|
|
Oct. 20 |
Electricity Thursday, October 23 – REVIEW # 2 (Ch. 5-9) |
Ch. 10 |
|
Oct. 27 |
Electricity Electromagnetism |
Ch. 10 Ch. 11 |
|
Nov. 03 |
Electromagnetism Solar Electricity |
Ch. 11 |
|
Nov. 10 |
Solar Electricity Atomic and Nuclear Physics Fission |
Ch. 12 Ch. 13 Ch. 14 |
|
Nov. 17 |
Fission Thursday, November 20 – REVIEW #3 (Ch. 10-13) |
Ch. 14 |
|
Nov. 24 |
Fission Biological Effects of Radiation Thanksgiving Break – November 26-28 |
Ch. 14 Ch. 15 |
|
Dec. 01 |
Future energy sources - Selected Topics |
Various chapters |
|
Dec. 08 |
Future energy sources - Selected Topics |
Various chapters |
|
Dec. 11 |
Reading Day |
|
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Dec. 12 - 18 |
Self-scheduled exam |
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