Lecture: TR 12:30-1:45 in Broida 1610

Lab: Course Number: 6BL

Lab sections -- in Broida 2334 -- MTWR 1:00-2:50 OR 3:00-4:50 OR 7:00-8:50

NOTE: The lab course 6BL is a separate course. You CAN take the lecture in a different quarter from the lab if necessary. Any questions about the lab should be emailed directly to the lab TA.

6/8: Here is the final exam and the answer key:
Final Exam
Final Exam Answer Key

6/3: Minor change: I added the masses of the proton and the electron to the equation sheet: Final Exam Equation Sheet

6/1: An assignment of 4 practice problems (for Magnetic Field and Electromagnetic Induction) has been posted on Mastering Physics. It will not count toward your grade.

Here is the equation sheet you will be given with the final exam: Final Exam Equation Sheet

There is no need to bring this equation sheet with you to the exam, it will be given to you with the exam.

5/23: One more equation has been added to the second-to-last slide of the Magnetic Field class notes. It is an alternate equation for the B field created by a long, thin coil of current-carrying wire called a "solenoid".

5/17: Midterm 2 has been graded. Your score should have been emailed to the umail account on record with eGrades.
The average score on the midterm was about 10.6 out of 16, or about 66 percent.

5/13: Here are midterm #1 and midterm #2 and the answer key for each:
Midterm #1
Midterm #1 Answer Key
Midterm #2
Midterm #2 Answer Key

5/6: An assignment of 6 practice problems (for Midterm #2) has been posted on Mastering Physics. It will not count toward your grade.

Here is the equation sheet you will be given with Midterm #2: Midterm #2 Equation Sheet

There is no need to bring this equation sheet with you to the exam, it will be given to you with the exam.

4/25: Midterm 1 has been graded. Your score should have been emailed to the umail account on record with eGrades.
The average score on the midterm was about 12.5 out of 16, or about 78 percent.

4/25: My office hours schedule is finally settled. They will now be in Broida 6215 on Wednesdays from 11:00-1:00.

4/18: In response to the usual questions about how to best study for Thursday's midterm, here is a list (with most important first):
1) Lecture notes and examples
2) Practice problems on Mastering Physics
3) Homeworks #1, #2, and #3
4) Textbook

4/18: Problem 13.15 has been removed from Homework #3 because it requires you to use a slightly different density for water than the one given in class.

We will be using 1000 kg/m³ for the density of water. (Problem 13.15 was using sea water, and wanted a density of 1030 kg/m³, but did not tell you this).

I apologize for any inconvenience.

4/15: Midterm Exam #1 will be on Thursday, April 21st. Please remember to bring a pink Parscore form and your photo ID. You will not be allowed to take the exam without both of these items.

4/15: The location for my office hours have moved. They will now be in Broida 6215.

4/11: An assignment of 6 practice problems (for Midterm #1) has been posted on Mastering Physics. It will not count toward your grade.

Here is the equation sheet you will be given with Midterm #1: Midterm #1 Equation Sheet

There is no need to bring this equation sheet with you to the exam, it will be given to you with the exam.

4/11: DSP is looking to hire a notetaker for this class.
Questions: Please contact Wanda Thomas: Phone: 893-2668 Email: thomas-w@sa.ucsb.edu
Please apply online at http://dsp.sa.ucsb.edu/services

3/29: Please sign up for your Mastering Physics account as soon as possible! The course code is PHYSICS6BFOLSOMSPRING11 .

Course Schedule:

Lecturer: Doug Folsom ( email: )
Office: Broida 6215
Office Hours: W 11:00 - 12:50


Teaching Assistants:

George Leming (george_leming@umail.ucsb.edu)
Greg Shear (gshear@mat.ucsb.edu)
Wei Xu (wxu@umail.ucsb.edu)


Textbook:

Young and Geller, College Physics, 8th edition

Mastering Physics:

Instead of written homework, we will be using an online homework system at www.masteringphysics.com. If you buy your textbook new, it comes with a free Mastering Physics account. If not, you will have to purchase an account for about $50 (this one-time purchase will cover you for Physics 6A-6B-6C). You can purchase an account at the Mastering Physics website, or at the UCSB bookstore.

To sign up for the class, enter the Course ID: PHYSICS6BFOLSOMSPRING11


Note about Mastering Physics: Online homework systems are very efficient for grading and student feedback. However, the system is not perfect and takes some time to learn to use properly. It can be frustrating when the system does not accept your answer because of formatting or rounding issues. The best ways to handle these issues are:
1) ask your fellow students
2) bring the issue up in class

The homework assignments are designed to allow you to practice applying the concepts you have learned. You are welcome to work together on homework, but keep in mind that the majority of your grade will come from your exam scores, which you will have to earn on your own.

Most (but not all) of the material for the homeworks will be covered in lecture, the rest will be covered in the textbook.

Course Outline:

The Physics 6 series is an overview of the field of physics. We will use algebra extensively in the course. Calculus is not required (but is very useful for understanding certain concepts). The lectures will supplement the textbook; we will cover some sections in a different order and introduce extra examples. The material covered in lecture will be emphasized on exams more than material covered in the textbook.

Many of you hope to apply to medical or dental school someday. The style of this course will be aimed at preparing you for the Physics section of the MCAT.

Grading:

Grades will be based on online homeworks, two midterm exams, and a final exam:

Online Homework (Mastering Physics): 20%
Two midterm exams: 20% each
Final Exam: 40%

I encourage you to work with other students and ask questions in class about the online homeworks, but keep in mind that you will be on your own for the exams. Cheating on the exams will NOT be tolerated, and I will report anyone I catch. Cheating is a waste of everyone's time and effort. Don't even try it .

The exams will be multiple choice, just like the MCAT. Remember to bring a pink "Parscore" sheet to every exam. Having to rush out to get one during the exam will cost you valuable time.

The following chart shows the minimum letter grade you will receive if you earn a given percentage of the points for the class. Keep in mind these are the minimum letter grades (i.e. you could possibly get an A with 87% of the points, depending on how the rest of the class does):

Percentage	Grade
90%	A
80%	B
65%	C
50%	D

Exams:

The exams will be multiple-choice; you will have to bring your own pink Parscore forms and a photo ID.

The midterm exams will not be cumulative; i.e. each exam will cover the material since the previous exam. The final exam will be cumulative.

Due to the large number of students in the class, I will NOT be able to offer make-up exams.

If you inform me before a midterm exam that you cannot take it, you will be excused and your grade will be based on the rest of the course, which will be weighed more heavily. If you do not inform me beforehand you will receive a 0 for the exam.

If you inform me before the final exam that you cannot or will not take it, you will be excused and given an incomplete. The incomplete can be completed by taking the final exam when Physics 6B is next offered during the academic year. The final exam will be melded with your work this quarter and your incomplete transformed into a letter grade. If you do not take the makeup final the incomplete reverts to an F. If you do not inform me beforehand about missing the exam you will receive an F.