Physics 606: How Things Work II
Problem Sets

WebAssign is use to submit all the homework and exams. When you log on to webAssign, scroll down to Phys 606  and click on My Assignments. You will find the current problem set. Problem sets will contain mostly conceptual essay type questions with some numerical ones. The first problem set will also contain some multiple choice questions. Questions will require independent thought on your part in order to answer them correctly. NEVER ANSWER ANY ESSAY QUESTION WITHOUT JUSTIFYING OR EXPLAINING YOUR ANSWER. You can click on the problem set, start typing in answers,  save your work, and come back and work on it again without losing your answers. Numerical and multiple choice are graded immediately. You also have 5 submissions in case you submit it, discover your answer is wrong, and then want to change it.  You may also submit one question at a time and not the whole problem set. The essay questions will be graded by hand. After the due date of the problem set, you will discover all your essay problems have been given 1 point. This is before they are graded. As they are graded and if you they are marked incorrect your score will decrease.

You may discuss the homework with anyone in the class by posting questions on the  Discussion Board in Blackboard. The material on the problem sets is mostly covered in the designated chapters and CDs before the due date of the problem set.  Sometimes the material may be somewhat out of sequence with the due date and lecture on the CD's, but hopefully never more than one lecture. If this happen please bring it to my attention. Some times you may have to search a little to find information to help you. You may use your textbook, or any textbook, or the internet to help you answer the questions. You can also discuss the questions with classmates on BB or in the Chat Room. You are encouraged to discuss problems with one another, but you must write up your answers separately and in your own words. Points will be deducted from your problem set if you use someone else's words or allow them to use your words.

Homework:

Problem set 1 is due 11:59 PM Mon. Feb 7
Problem set 2 is due 11:59 PM Mon. Feb 21
Problem set 3 is due 11:59 PM Mon. Mar 7
Problem set 4 is due 11:59 PM Mon. Mar 21
Problem set 5 is due 11:59 PM Mon. Apr 4
Problem set 6 is due 11:59 PM Mon. Apr 18

Exams:

Exam 1 can be taken Wed. - Fri., Mar 2 - Mar 4. Deadline is 5:00 PM Mar 4.
Exam 2 can be taken Wed. - Fri., Mar 23 -25. Deadline is 5:00 PM Mar 25.
Exam 3 is due  Fri  5:00 PM Apr 15.
Final can be taken Wed. - Fri., Apr 27-29. Deadline is 5:00 PM Apr 29. 

Exams 1 & 2

You will take two 2-hour closed-book exams using WebAssign on the material on the CDs including the demos; the material in the appropriate chapters that you have been asked to read; and particularly the exercises, problems, and cases in those chapters that you have been assigned. The exam will emphasize understanding of concepts so that memorization will be far less valuable for answering the questions than basic insight into how things work. The exams will be multiple choice with each question having 5 choices, but only one correct  or best answer. Multiple choice exams are given because grading is less subjective than grading essay questions and can be machine graded without error. Click on the link Typical Exam Questions on the  the class home page for some sample multiple choice questions.  Also see the link to Reference Material from  Phys 106. Do not take any of the exams without first attempting the questions on the website. You will find it helpful to practice taking exams before you take the real one. You will submit exams using WebAssign. You may take Exam 1 and 2 any 2 hour period between the dates given above. All exams are taken under the guidelines and rules of the UVa honor system. A proctor is also required for each exam. If you take the exam without notifying me who your proctor is, you will fail the exam. Please see the link on the UVa Honor code and Proctors.

Exam 3

Exam 3 is the exam that you create. You make up an exam consisting of 15 multiple choice questions with 3 wrong answers and 1 right answer. Submit the exam using the digital drop box in Blackboard. The level of difficulty and style should be similar to the class exams. You can start on Exam 3 at any time during the course. You simply have to look at the CDs ahead of schedule if you so desire. The exam will be graded based on how well you follow these guidelines:

  • Write up 15 multiple choice questions with three wrong answers and one right answer. Do not use the answer choice "none of these" or "all of these." Do not use pictures.
    • <>Construct your question from the physics on the CDS and power point slides. Take  at least two questions from each  Lecture 27 -33, which correspond to the material in Chapters 12 and 13.
  • Wrong answers should not be obviously wrong or so ridiculous that they can be easily guessed as wrong. The object is to test as much relevant science knowledge as possible through the right answer and the three wrong answers.
  • The level of difficulty should be set at the level of the present class.
  • Personalize your questions so I know you made them up. Use situations in your classroom or with your family to make up your question and answers, but takes the physics itself from the lectures.
  • Do not copy questions from previous years. Do not copy questions from your book or any other book.
  • How well your questions test the physics knowledge of the individual?
  • No time limit
  • Each answer is worth 0 or 1 pts. and each question is worth 0, 1, or 2 pts. Total number of points on exam is 6 x 15 = 90. If your answer to your question is wrong, you will lose all 6 points regardless of anything else.
  • I will choose some of the best questions from each of you for the final exam.
  • Arrange your answers so that your correct answer is the first answer. Use the same style of presentation of questions and answers as I gave you on Exams 1 and 2.
  • Each question is no longer than 4 lines, arial font, size 11.
  • Each answer is no longer than 1 line, arial font, size 11.

    •  

    Point deduction code for Exam 3
    Questions
    NGPI -2 Does not contain a good physics concept or idea
    LC -2 Long and confusing ideas, but grammar okay
    PW -1 Poor wording caused by incorrect grammar
    MGE -1
    		 Minor grammatical errors
    VA -2
    		 Very ambiguous
    DNG -2 Does not use good logic
    NWDQ -2 Not a well-defined question or answer
    MI -2 Missing information
    NFD -2 Did not follow directions
    SP -1 Spelling


    Answers
    IA -6 Answer to your question is incorrect
    OW -1 One of your choice answers is so obviously wrong that the reader can guess it's the wrong answer without having to know much science. This choice doesn't really test anything. This is the most common error.
    VA -1 Very ambiguous
    TMI -1 Too much information - confusing
    SGE -1
    		 Significant grammar errors - confusing
    PP -1
    		 Poor physics
    DNL -1 Does not use good logic
    MI -1 Missing information
    NFD -1 Did not follow directions
    AC -1 Also correct. More than one correct answer
    SP -1 Spelling

    Final Exam

    You will take a three-hour exam at a time convenient for you and your proctor between the dates given above. You will be responsible for all material on the CDs and in the  chapters that you have been asked to read as well as exercises, problems, and cases in those chapters. The exam will emphasize understanding of concepts so that memorization will be far less valuable for answering the questions than basic insight into how things work.


    Jan 7 2005