PHYSICS 251
FALL 2000
(http://www.phys.virginia.edu/classes/251.pqh.fall00)
Instructor: P. Q. Hung
phone: 4-6819. e-mail:pqh@virginia.edu
TA: Xuepeng Sun (xs6w@virginia.edu)
Office Hours: Tuesday (11am-12pm) and Thursday (10am-12pm) or by appointment, Rm 311B (Physics Building).
Textbooks: Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Vol. 2, 4th Edition, ``Electricity and Magnetism, Light'', by Paul Tipler (Freeman-Worth).
I) Aim of the course:
The aim of this course is to provide the students with a solid understanding of electricity and magnetism at an introductory level. This will provide a strong background for more advanced courses to be taken during the junior and senior years. To achieve this aim, it is recommended that a student should first read the proposed material before coming to class, rework the derivations- there is a lot of physics in that, try to understand the concepts as deeply as possible, do as many problems as one can (homework problems included, of course). Last but not least, try to attend all classes if possible, rain or shine (in particular the latter).
Please check the course's web site for frequent announcements!
IMPORTANT REMARK: This course will be started from SCRATCH. I will NOT ASSUME that some of you might have had E&M before!
II) Course coverage:
The dates given below are approximate and are subject to changes as the semester progresses. It is therefore important that you know what is going on in class.
1) Ch. 22 (8/30-9/4)
2) Ch. 23 (9/6-13)
3) Ch. 24 (9/15-20)
4) Ch. 25 (9/22-29)
5) Ch. 26 (10/2-9)
6) Ch. 28 (10/11-18)
7) Ch. 29 (10/20-10/30)
8) Ch. 30 (11/1-11/8)
10) Ch. 31 (11/10-11/17)
11) Ch. 32 (11/27-12/4)
12) Ch. 27 (12/6-8)
II) Homeworks:
There will be six problems assigned every week (normally on fridays and due a week later), out of which three (not specified ahead of time) will be graded. There will also be a couple of suggested problems every week which will not be graded at all. Late homeworks will NOT be accepted. The HW assignments will be posted on the Web.
The homeworks count for 15% of the total grade.
III) Quizzes:
The quizzes will be given by the TA and will count for 5% of the total grade.
IV) Examinations:
PLEASE NOTE CAREFULLY THE EXAM DATES!
There will be three midterms and one final. Each midterm counts for 15% of the grade and the final counts for 35%.
Typically, each midterm will contain about four problems and the final will contain about ten problems. THESE PROBLEMS WILL NOT BE IDENTICAL TO THE HOMEWORK PROBLEMS. A deep understanding of the of the material and of the homework problems will greatly help in the exams. {No makeup exams or quizzes will be given. With a valid excuse before the exam or quiz, the remaining exams or quizzes will be appropriately averaged.
1st Midterm: Monday, September 25 (12-12:50pm, Rm 204)
2nd Midterm: Monday, October 23 (12-12:50pm, Rm 204)
3rd Midterm: Monday, November 20 (12-12:50pm, Rm 204)
Final: Monday, December 11 (2-5pm, Rm 204)