Physics 2503 (Fall 2016) Introduction to Waves, Optics, and Special Relativity

Lectures: MTuW 3:354:25 pm, WH125 (Willey Hall)

Quizzes: F (09/23, 10/07, 10/21, 11/04, 11/18, 12/02 only) 3:354:25 pm, WH125
Final exam: M (12/19) 8:3011:30 am
Instructor: Yong-Zhong Qian (qian@physics.umn.edu)
Office hour: W 1:402:40 pm, PAN210 (Physics & Nanotechnolgy)
TA office hours: Fei Chen (chen4577@umn.edu) Tu 9:3010:30 am, Williamson Hall
Ben Smidt (smidt007@umn.edu) Th 10:0011:00 am, Williamson Hall
Tentative lecture schedule
09/0609/19 oscillations 09/2010/10 mechanical waves 10/1110/17 electromagnetic waves
10/1810/31 ray optics 11/0111/15 wave optics
11/1611/29 relativistic kinematics
11/3012/14 relativistic dynamics
Materials: The textbooks are Principles of Physics & Practice of Physics by Eric Mazur.
We will cover Chapters 1417, 2930, & 3334. You also need access to Mastering Physics,
which is bundled with the textbooks at the University Bookstore. Other materials, such as
additional lecture notes and solutions to quizzes, will be posted on the class webpage http:
//www.physics.umn.edu/classes/phys/2016/fall/Phys%202503.001/index.html
The class: Physics 2503 is the 3rd semester of a four-semester introductory sequence in physics
for students with major in physics, astronomy, aero-engineering and anyone who wants to
get a more in-depth treatment of modern physics. We will cover three major topics: waves
(mechanical and electromagnetic), optics, and special relativity. By now, you should have
realized that physics requires your active participation in the learning process: do not expect
to learn by simply attending lectures. You must actively work at problem solving to know
whether you fully understand the concepts involved. Do not fall behind; it is very difficult to
catch up. If you are experiencing difficulties, come to see me or a TA as soon as possible. It
is highly recommended that you read ahead, so that the lectures reinforce the concepts, rather
than presenting them for the first time.
Lectures: During lectures you will be introduced to fundamental physical concepts and shown
how to apply these to solve specific problems. You are expected to read the relevant material
before coming to class. You are always encouraged to think critically about the material
presented and ask questions.
Classroom courtesy: During lectures no chatting, no open laptops/iPads (not even for taking
notes), no earphones, no cell phones, no food/drink, no newspapers/crosswords are allowed.
The lecture ends when the discussion of a particular topic comes to an end, regardless of the
clock. I will try my best not to take more than a few minutes of extra time. Please stay focused
until the instructor indicates that the lecture has ended. See below for the University policy.

Homework: Assignments will be made through Mastering Physics. Solving homework problems independently is the best way to make sure you understand the material. Scheduled
quizzes will usually include problems similar to those in the homework. While it may seem
more efficient to simply look over the homework solutions, rather than solve them without
peeking, doing so is a very bad idea! If you do this, you will think you understand the problems
until you get to the test, and then you will have the impression that the test is completely
different from the homework. Your grade will suffer. This is because the brain processes that
occur when you look over a solved problem are pattern-based, i.e., looking for superficial similarities. If you actually try to do the problems, you will exercise the cognitive functions required
to understand the first principles and then apply them to new situations. Only through this
kind of practice will you be able to perform well on the quizzes and the final exam.
Quizzes: Six quizzes will be given on the dates specified at the beginning of this syllabus.
Grades will be determined based upon the better of the two options:
Option 1: Six quizzes counting 11% each, final exam 24%, homework 10%
Option 2: Five best quizzes counting 12% each, final exam 30%, homework 10%
The division between grades is approximately: A (85100), B (7084), C (5569), D (40
54), F (< 40). The dividing lines will not be adjusted upwards, but may be adjusted a few
points downwards. The subdivision within each grade level will be specified at the end.
Responsibilities: The U of M assumes that all students enroll in its programs with a serious
learning purpose and expects them to be responsible individuals who demand of themselves high
standards of honesty and personal conduct. All students are expected to behave at all times
with respect and courtesy toward their fellow students and instructors and to have the highest
standards of honesty and integrity in their academic performance. Any behavior which disrupts
the classroom learning environment or any attempt to present work that the student has not
actually prepared on his/her own, or to pass an examination by improper means, is regarded
as a serious offense which may result in the expulsion of the student from the University. The
minimum penalty for such an offense is a failing grade for this course. Aiding and abetting the
above behavior is also considered a serious offense resulting in equally severe penalties.
Announcements: It is occasionally necessary to change schedules, including the dates of
quizzes. Students are responsible for receiving ALL announcements made by email or during
the lecture. For your convenience, I will try to post the most important announcements on
the class webpage. Missing an announcement is not an acceptable excuse for missing a quiz
or a course-related deadline. It is the sole responsibility of any student missing a lecture to
determine what course material and announcements are missed.
Resolving disputes: If you have a dispute about your quiz score, please first discuss this with
the TA who graded the problem. If you are still not satisfied, please come to me.
Open-door policy: If any difficulties or problems arise in this course that interfere in any
way with your learning or optimum performance, please stop by my office (McNamara Alumni
Center 144-1) or send an email to me or either TA. We will do our best to deal with problems
promptly and effectively.

Makeup quizzes: There will be no makeup quizzes. As soon as you know that you have an
acceptable excuse for not taking a scheduled quiz with the class, please come to me to discuss
the consequences. If you are a student athlete and are out of town during the quiz due to a
University sanctioned event, you should arrange for one of your coaches to pick up the quiz
from the physics front office just before you leave town. Your athletic organization will then
administer the test at approximately the same time the class takes it. They will then fax your
solutions back to the front office in time for them to be graded with the rest of the class. A
coach will then return the original student solutions to the front office as soon as the team
returns to town.
Makeup final: There will be no early finals for any reason. The only makeup final is given
the morning following the official final, usually at 8 am. To get a makeup final you must have
two finals scheduled at the same time, 3 finals scheduled on the same day, or a University
sanctioned excuse, and must submit a request form to the physics front office no later than two
full weeks before the scheduled exam date. If you cannot take a final the next morning, you
can wait until the next year and take the final with the next class.
Students with disabilities that affect their ability to participate fully in class or to meet all
course requirements are encouraged to bring this to the attention of Disability Resource Center
so that appropriate accommodations can be arranged. Please provide the staff in the physics
front office with a copy of your accommodation letter for the current semester.
Athletes must provide their official University of Minnesota athlete letter containing the approved competition schedule to their instructor and the physics front office. Away exams will
be arranged with the athletic adviser traveling with the team. Accommodations will be made
for official university sports only (i.e., no accommodations will be made for intramurals, club
sports, etc.)
Policy & resource documents can be found from the links on the next page.

Policy & resource documents

Student Conduct Code
http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Student_Conduct_
Code.pdf
Scholastic Dishonesty
See Student Conduct Code
Use of Personal Electronic Devices in the Classroom
http://policy.umn.edu/education/studentresp
Makeup Work for Legitimate Absences
http://policy.umn.edu/education/makeupwork
Appropriate Student Use of Class Notes and Course Materials
http://policy.umn.edu/education/studentresp
Grading and Transcripts
http://policy.umn.edu/education/gradingtranscripts
Sexual Harassment
http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/SexHarassment.pdf
Equity, Diversity, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action
http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Equity_Diversity_
EO_AA.pdf
Disability Accommodations
https://diversity.umn.edu/disability
Mental Health and Stress Management
http://www.mentalhealth.umn.edu