Physics 214
Professor Lynn Cominsky
Spring 2004

Summary

Homework

Schedule

Welcome to Physics 214, the second semester of calculus-based physics. In this course, we will study electromagnetic waves (commonly known as light), electricity and magnetism. It is a lot of material for one semester, so we will have to move quickly. Attached on the next page is my optimistic schedule for the textbook material to accompany the classwork. IT IS UP TO YOU TO READ THE BOOK! You paid good money for these books and should get to know it well. I don’t tend to lecture from the book, rather I use class time to work problems and explain difficult concepts. Nevertheless, you are responsible for all of the material in the sections listed on the optimistic schedule. Homework assignments will be taken from the books, for the most part.

And by the way, the book for the class is:
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, by Paul A. Tipler and Gene Mosca, Volume IIA and B (fifth edition)

We will also be doing one short section from Volume I, which you may have already purchased for use in 114. If not, we will find a way to get you this material.

This class meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 AM – 1 PM in Darwin 329.

Physics is very different than almost every subject you will study in college. Reading and memorizing won’t get you very far. Watching me solve problems will only show you that I know how to solve the problems! The real test of whether or not you have learned any physics, is whether you can solve problems yourself – and whether you can explain the physics of things that you see in the real world. This will be the emphasis of this class – conceptual understanding and problem solving. Not memorization. Real physicists always look things up in books – the trick is in knowing which books to use!

I will be assigning weekly homework – please feel free to do difficult problems with your classmates, or during office hours with me. Homework assignments are due on Wednesdays (usually) by 5 PM. Homework problems are not tests, they are learning experiences. There will be two quizzes during the semester and a final quiz. See below for details of the schedule.

How to reach me:
Office: Darwin 329A (inside 329) and NASA E/PO building.
On Tuesdays I will be at E/PO. My campus phone is (707) 664-2655 (rings both places – call ahead to see where I am if you are trying to find me.)
But e-mail is the best way: lynnc@charmian.sonoma.edu
Office hours: Monday: 1 – 3 PM

Homework: HW#1, HW#2, HW#2 Drawing, HW#3, HW#4, HW#4 Drawing, HW#5, HW#5 Drawing, HW#6, HW#6 Drawing, HW#7, HW#7 Drawing, HW#8, HW#8 Drawing

P214 Schedule:

Homework assignments are due on Wednesdays. They will be graded and returned on the following Monday.

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