SURVEY OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE 100

                                                                  Fall 2009

                                                            Mesa College

 

Advisory: English 55 with a grade of “C” or better, or equivalent, or Assessment Skill Level R4; and Mathematics 32, with a grade of “C” or better, or equivalent.

 

A survey of astronomy, geology, chemistry, and physics covering the basic concepts and the interrelationships of disciplines.  Particular attention will be paid to the manner in which the physical sciences affect our quality of life and their potential role in solving the problems of ecology, environment, and energy.    Topics include the solar system, stars and stellar evolution, the milky way galaxy, and cosmology  Transfer Credit: CSU and/or private coll/univ.  UC Transfer Credit: No credit for Physical Science (PHYN) 100, 101 if taken after a college course in Chemistry of Physical Science.

3 hours, 3 units

 

 

Instructor: Prof. John R. Sievers

Text:  Physical Science: A Unified Approach by Jerry Schad

 

Office: I‑203

        TTh        7:30 -   8 am

        MW      10:30 am ‑ 11:00 am

        MW       12:35 pm – 2:15 pm

        other hours by arrangement

 

Telephone:        (619)388-2623

e-mail:  sievers.j@att.net

Leave a note: K-202

 

 

              "We go about our daily lives understanding almost nothing of the world.  We give little thought to the machinery that generates the sunlight that makes life possible, to the gravity that glues us to an Earth that would otherwise send us spinning off into space, or to the atoms of which we are made and on whose stability we fundamentally depend.  Except for children, few of us spend much time wondering why nature is the way it is; where the cosmos came from, or whether it is always here; if time will one day flow backward and effects precede causes; or whether there are ultimate limits to what humans can know."

                      Carl Sagan

 

One of the purposes of this class is to make us children again so that we may ask questions we once asked and learn about ourselves by becoming more aware of the environment that surrounds us.

 

 

GENERAL STRATEGIES FOR STUDYING

 

 

*         Don’t miss class.  Listening to lectures and participating in discussions is much more effective than reading someone else’s notes.  Active participation will help you retain what your learning.

 

*         Budget your time effectively.  An hour or two each day is more effective, and far less painful, than studying all night before exams.

 

*         If a concept gives you trouble, do additional reading beyond what has been assigned.  And if you still have trouble, ask for help: you surely can find friends, colleagues, or teachers who will be glad to help you learn.

 

*         Working together with friends can be valuable in helping you to solve difficult problems.  However, be sure that you learn with your friends and do not become dependent on them.

 

*         When studying your text: Don’t highlight -- underline!  Using a pen or pencil to underline material requires greater care than highlighting, and therefore helps to keep you alert as you study.

 

 

PREPARING FOR EXAMINATIONS

 

*         Study your notes from lectures and discussions.  Pay attention to what your instructor expects you top know for an examination.

 

*         Reread the relevant sections in the textbook, paying special attention to notes you have made in the margins.

 

*         Study individually before joining a study group with friends.  Study groups are effective only if every individual comes prepared to contribute.

 

*         Don’t stay up too late the night before the examination.  Don’t eat a big meal within an hour of the examination(thinking is more difficult when blood is being diverted to the digestive system).

*         Try to relax before and during the examination.  If you have studied effectively, you are capable of doing well.  Staying relaxed will help you think clearly.

 

 

EXAMINATIONS: 

 

There will be five examinations (100 points each) given during the semester.  Students arriving late (after the 1^st student has turned in their exam) to an exam should not expect to be allowed to take that exam.  All examinations carry equal weight.  The lowest grade of the five will be dropped.  There are NO make-up examinations.  It is encouraged that you form study groups with some of your fellow students.  The grading scale for the course will be the following:

 

 

           A 352 ‑ 400 points            EXAM SCHEDULE

           B 315 ‑ 352      EXAM 1  Sept.  15 (T)                        [Chap. 1 - 4]

           C 260 ‑ 315      EXAM 2  Oct.   15  (Th)                      [Chap. 5 - 8]

           D 200 ‑ 260      EXAM 3  Nov.    3  (T)                       [Chap. 9 - 11]

           F below 200                                                                  EXAM 4  Dec.     1  (T)                       [Chap. 12 - 14]

 

After the 4th exam all students are to schedule an office visit.  The purpose of this meeting is to check all of your test scores and discuss your current grade in the class.

 

EXAM 5    Dec. 17 (Th)          Final [over last chapters]

 

 

EXTRA CREDIT:

 

A total of 15 points can be made through extra credit.    Extra credit is earned by attempting serious answers to all learning objectives given to the chapters in which the exam covers.  Details of how these responses are to be turned in will be discussed in class.   The written answers must be turned in on the day of the examination (a few minutes before the exam begins) for a student to receive extra credit.

 

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR AND STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT:

Students are expected to respect and obey standards of student conduct while in class and on campus.  The student Code of Conduct, disciplinary procedure , and student due process (Policy 3100, 3100.1, and 3100.2) can be found in the current college catalog in the section Academic Information and  Regulations pages 39-51, and at the office of the Dean of Student Affairs(H-500).  Charges of misconduct and disciplinary sanctions may be imposed upon students who violate these standards of conduct or provisions of college regulations.  As your instructor, I have the following expectations of your behavior in this class:

1        Promote a courteous learning atmosphere by exhibiting mutual respect and consideration of the feelings, ideas, and contributions of others.

2        Recognize everyone’s opportunity to contribute information in a relevant and meaningful manner by not monopolizing discussions, interrupting, interjecting irrelevant, illogical or inappropriate questions or comments. 

3        All cell phones, pages, etc. are to be turned off during class time. 

4        This class will be conducted in accordance with the college student code of conduct and basic standards of academic honesty.  Cheating, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty are not acceptable and will not be tolerated.  Violations of standards of academic honesty will be reported to the school dean for appropriate action. 

 

 

 

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

 

 

·  It is the student’s responsibility to drop all classes in which he/she is no longer attending.

·  It is the instructor’s discretion to withdraw a student after the add/drop deadline due to      excessive absences.

·  Students who remain enrolled in a class beyond the published withdrawal deadline, as stated in the class schedule, will receive an evaluative letter grade in this class.

 

You are expected to attend all meetings and roll will be taken at each meeting.  You may be dropped from the course if un-excused absences are in excess of 12% of the total class hours (up to drop date).  If you are absent it is up to you to ask your fellow students what you missed.  Arriving late to class can be counted as an absence.

 

Any student that is planning to drop the class should make an appointment with me to see if reasons for dropping can be alleviated.

 

 

CLASS DISCUSSION:

Questions will be welcome during class, especially if some topic is especially vague.  Please ask questions if you do now understand a particular topic.

 

INSTRUCTOR ABSENCE:

If the instructor must be absent from the class, students are to continue studying the material in their textbook and do the learning objectives indicated in the course syllabus.

 

 

                                STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WHO MAY NEED

                                      ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS SHOULD

                                    DISCUSS OPTIONS WITH THEIR PROFESSOR

                                    DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF CLASS.

 

 

 

                                                                    SCHEDULE

 

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Week of: August 24

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 Chapter 1 Physical World

 Learning Objectives

1.                  List the four fundamental forces.

2.         Describe the four fundamental properties of material objects.

3        Define the SI unit system.

4.         Describe the Scientific Method (collect data, theory, test).

5        Describe what is meant by scientific truth and its implication about our knowledge of the physical world.

 

 Chapter 2 Universe of Space

 Learning Objectives:

1.         Discuss concepts of length, area, volume, and density.

2        Be able to write large & small numbers in terms of scientific notation.

3.         Describe various coordinate systems (Cartesian, and polar).

4        Describe the systems used to locate objects on the Earth (Lat. & Long.) and in the sky(RA & Dec.).

5                    Describe how the celestial equator & poles are defined.

6.         Discuss the scale of things, from the smallest to the largest, and the distance units used to specify great distances.

7.         Describe the concepts of quarks, the atomic nucleus and the particles we find within the nucleus, & that force holds them there.

8        Describe what differentiates one element from another. 

9.         Describe the four fundamental forces.

10    List the types of objects found in the Solar System, & the order of the planets from the sun.

11                Describe distance determining techniques such as radar ranging and trigonometric parallax.

12                Be able to describe what is meant by the following terms: binary stars, Milky Way Galaxy, nuclear bulge, disk, halo, Milky Way, spiral, elliptical, & irregular galaxies.

13                In regards to the distribution of galaxies be able to describe; clusters, super clusters, and voids.

 

 

 

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Week of: August 31

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Chapter 2 continued

 

 Chapter 3 Universe of Time

 Learning Objectives:

1.                  Describe the relationship between “the arrow” of time and the concept of entropy.

2.                  Be able to describe the difference in the concept of absolute & relative time.

3.         Describe the difference between the solar and sidereal day.

4.         Explain the cause of the seasons and such terms as Zodiac, solstice, equinox, & ecliptic.

5.         Describe and name the various phases of the moon, define the month, year, & how it is divided up into four seasons.

6.         Describe and explain the circumstances resulting in the occurrences of various types of solar and lunar eclipses.

7          Describe the history of the universe; birth of: universe, galaxies, solar system, life on earth.

8          Describe how geologists determine the relative & absolute history of the earth.

9          Define & discuss the concepts of catastrophism and uniformitarianism.

10        Discuss the concept of the “Principle of Superposition”.

11        Compare and contrast the concepts of earth centered (Ptolemaic) versus sun centered (Copernican) models.

 

 

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Week of: February September 7 7^th is a holiday

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Chapter 3 continued

 

 Chapter 4 Universe of Matter

 Learning Objectives:

1.                  Describe the basic make up of matter & how is it measured.

2.         Describe the four phases of matter.

3.         Differentiate between an element, molecule, and compound.

4          Describe the difference between physical & chemical changes of matter.

5.         Become familiar with basic chemical notation.

6        Describe the terms, mono and di-atomic , isotope, atomic number(Z), and mass number(A).

7                    Be able to balance a simple chemical equation.

 

 

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Week of: September 14 EXAM1 on T

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 Chapter 5 Motion and Gravity

 Learning Objectives:

1.         Give the definition of speed and describe the difference between average & instantaneous speed.

2.         Define what is known as velocity and how it is defined.

3.         Describe the difference between vector & scalar quantities.

4.         Describe the concept of acceleration.

5.         Be able to discuss Newton’s three (3) Laws of Motion, Universal Law of Gravitation,  and concepts of inertia, momentum(linear), and force.

6.         In general terms, describe the concepts of the Conservation of linear & angular momentum.

7           Discuss the difference between the concepts of weight and mass.

8                    Be able to give a general description of projectile motion.

9                    Discuss the cause of the 2 high tides San Diego experiences each day.

10                Give an explanation as to why astronauts are weightless.

 

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Week of: September 21

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Chapter 5 continued

 

 Chapter 6  Energy

 Learning Objectives:

1.         Define what is meant by energy and at least a half a dozen different types of energy.

2.         Discuss in detail the concept of work   and the following kinds of energy: Kinetic, Potential.

3        Be able to discuss and use in examples the concept of the conservation of mechanical energy and how these are shown by the motion of a pendulum and orbit of a comet.

4        Describe the concept of rest energy and power.

5        Describe the scale used to indicate the strength of earthquakes & why asteroid impacts are so disastrous.

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Week of: September 28

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 Chapter 7  Heat

 Learning Objectives:

1.         Explain the difference between heat and temperature.

2.                  Describe the three (3) layers of the sun’s atmosphere and their various temperatures.

3.         Describe the various scales used to measure temperature.

4.         Familiarize yourself with ways to measure heat and the units used.

5.         Understand the term Mechanical Equivalent of Heat.

6.         To be able to describe the concepts of thermal energy and specific heat.

7.         Describe the three (conduction, convection, & radiation) modes of thermal energy transport.

8.         Describe the mechanics of phase changes and why burns by steam are so much more dangerous that burns by boiling water.

9.         Understand and use in calculations the concepts of pressure, buoyancy and Archimedes's Principle.

10.       Explain what determines if a particular object will sink or float in a liquid.

11.       Become familiar with what is known as the Ideal Gas Law.

12.       Describe the phenomena known as the "Green House" Effect.

13.       Become familiar with the concepts of 1^st & 2^nd laws of thermodynamics and the concept of entropy.

 

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Week of: October 5

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 Chapter 8  Waves

 Learning Objectives:

1.                  Describe the terms wavelength, frequency, period and amplitude.

2.         Show the relationship between period and frequency.

3.         Calculate wave speed given simple problems.

4.         Describe longitudinal and transverse waves and give examples of each.

5          Describe the properties of the various regions of the electromagnetic spectrum & the inverse square law.

6.         Describe the Laws of reflection and refraction and the difference between refracting & reflecting telescopes.

7         Be able to describe the concepts of constructive and destructive interference & resonance.

8         Describe the phenomena known as the Doppler Effect and its uses today.

9         Describe how scientists study the inside of the Earth by making observations of seismic waves.

 

 

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Week of: October 12 (EXAM2 on Th)

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 Chapter 9  Electric Charge

 Learning Objectives:

1.         Know the basic unit used to measure electric charge and the Law of Charges.

2.         Describe and apply Coulomb's Law and in what ways it is similar and what ways different from the Universal Law of Gravitation.

3.         Describe the basic differences between conductors, insulators, and semiconductors.

4          Become familiar with the types of chemical bonds (ionic & covalent).

5          Describe what is meant by a solution and the terms solvent & solute.

6          Describe acids & bases, pH scale, and what is meant by an organic molecule.

 

 

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Week of: October 19

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 Chapter 10  Electricity & Magnetism

 Learning Objectives:

1.                  Discuss the concept of an electric field.

2.         Be able to describe just what electric circuit is and what is meant by voltage(potential difference) and current.

3.         Describe the concept of electrical resistance.

4.         Familiarize yourself with Ohm's Law and apply it to solve simple electrical problems.

5          Be able to discuss basic electrical safety

6          Carry out simple calculations of electric power.

7          Become familiar with the concepts of a magnet and the associated magnetic field, poles and the law of poles.

8          Be able to discuss the basic nature of the Earth’s & other planets, magnetic fields and their cause.

9          Be able to describe, in a general way, what is meant by superconductivity.

10.       Become familiar with the associated magnetic field about a wire while electrical current is flowing.

11        Be able to describe the interaction of a magnetic field and an electrical current in a wire suspended in this field & the concept of

            electromagnetic induction.

12        Be able to describe the difference between direct and alternating current.

13.       Describe the basic operation and uses of generators and transformers.

14.       To understand the electromagnetic nature of waves such as x-rays, light, etc.

 

 

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Week of: October 26

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 Chapter 11 Light & the Atom

 Learning Objectives:

1.         Describe the dual nature of light (waves versus photons) and the Bohr model for the hydrogen atom.

2.         Define a black body and describe Planck's law, including how brightness & color of an object varies with its temperature.

3          Describe the photoelectric effect.

4.         Describe the appearance of the three types of spectra (continuous, emission, & absorption).

5          Be able to order the various regions of the visible spectrum (red, yellow, etc.) in terms of energy & wavelength.

6.         Describe the fundamental principles involved in astronomical spectroscopy including concepts of energy, atomic structure (Bohr model), and the formation of spectral lines.

7.         Describe what astronomers can determine about a star by examining its spectrum.

8.         Describe the effect of a prism on light as it passes through the prism (dispersion).

9        Describe color changes when light is added or subtracted (absorbed).

10                Be able to explain why the Earth’s sky appears blue.

 

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Week of: November 2   EXAM 3 on T

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 Chapter 12  Inner Atom

 Learning Objectives:

1.         Describe the first evidence that indicated that the mass of the atom was concentrated in a small region called the nucleus and that this "nucleus" had a positive charge(Rutherford scattering).

2        Be able to define the following terms: isotope, four fundamental forces, Leptons, Hadrons, & quarks.

3.         Describe what it means when we say that a substance is radioactive.

4.         Familiarize yourself with alpha, beta, and gamma decay in regards to radioactive substances.

5.         Explain what is meant by the half-life of a radioactive substance.  

6              Describe the processes known as nuclear fission & nuclear fusion.

7.         Describe the basic process that the Sun uses to generate its energy.

8         Describe how the age of a moon rock can be determined by radiometric dating techniques & describe how scientists determine the ages of various materials using radiometric dating techniques.

 9.        Describe the applications of radioactivity (benefits & hazards).

10        Describe the basic operation of a nuclear power plant.

11        Describe what is meant by the binding energy of an atom & the place of iron(Fe) in this concept.

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Week of:  November 9 Friday is a holiday

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continue Chapter 12

 

 Chapter 13  Relativity

 Learning Objectives:

1.         Become familiar with the basic concepts of the Special Relativity Theory (effects on apparent mass, time, & lengths) and energy (E = mc²)

2        Become familiar with the basic concepts of the General Relativity Theory(including predictions of this theory that have been observed).   Describe the relationship between mass and the Principle of Equivalence.

3        Describe various astronomical observations where these relativistic effects are observed.