Physics 100 Energy Fall 2010

Physics 100 - Energy Fall 2010 Instructor: Dr. Michael Carini Office: TCCW 229 Phone: 56198 E-mail: mike.carini@wku.edu Office Hours: By appointment Textbook: Energy and the Environment, 2nd ed. Ristine & Kraushaar Class Meets: MWF 11:30-12:25 TCCW 237 Course URL: http://astro.wku.edu/energy/energy.html Course Grade: 3 examinations worth 15% each. Class attendance and participation 10% Homework and in class activities worth 20% Comprehensive Final Examination worth 25%. Course Description A one-semester survey of the concepts of energy applicable to the understanding of energy in our environment. Topics covered are the nature of energy, sources, transmission, consumption, energy and the environment, and prospects for the future. Hands on activities will be conducted as part of the classroom work. I expect regular and prompt attendance in this class. Regular attendance is critical to attaining a passing grade in this class. If you need to be absent, do what you can to contact me in advance and for issues involving a visit to a medical professional, please provide verification. General education goals: Through coursework, discussion, readings, reliable resources and empirical exercises Physics 100 introduces the scientific method and critical thinking associated with the impact of science on society that prepares students at Western Kentucky University to understand the relevance and impact of energy Students with disabilities: In compliance with university policy, students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services in DUC A-200 of the Student Success Center in Downing University Center. Please DO NOT request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a letter of accommodation from the Office for Student Disability Services. Make-up policy: No makeup examinations or activities will be given unless your absence has been pre-approved or you have a valid excuse (note from a medical professional, etc) NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED, except for certain cases where you were not in class due to an illness or other verifiable, excused absence.

Physics 100 Weekly Schedule Fall 2010   Physics 100 Weekly Schedule Fall 2010 Week of: Chapter August 30 Energy basics and uses 1 September 6 Energy basics and uses, fossil fuels 1,2 September 13 Fossil fuels 2 September 27 Heat engines 3 October 4 Test 1, Solar Energy 4 October 11 Other renewable energy sources 5 October 18 Other renewable energy sources 5 October 25 Nuclear Power 6 November 1 Test 2 Energy sources for transportation 8 November 8 Energy sources for transportation 8 November 15 Effects of energy generation on the environment 9 November 22 Effects of energy generation on the environment 10 November 29 Test 3, Conservation 7 December 6 Conservation 7 Last day of Class is Friday, December 10 Cumulative Final Exam Monday December 13, 10:30-12:30 Note: There is no class September 6, (Labor day), October 8(Fall break) or November 24 & 26 (Thanksgiving break)

Physics 100 Writing Activities for Fall 2010   You will be presented with 5 questions related to the topic of energy that you will have to research and answer. These are questions we will answer in class; you have the opportunity to answer them yourself in advance of our class discussion. You will be given a minimum of 2 weeks to answer these questions. Your answer will be in the form of a paper that fulfills the following requirements: Typed, single space, 12 pt. font 2 page minimum of text w/1 inch margins Minimum of three external references , one of which can be your textbook. Internet articles are allowed. 1 page bibliography, on a separate page from the text of the paper, listing all your sources, in the appropriate format for a bibliography. The questions: Are we running out of fossil fuels? (answer must discuss Hubbart and his curve) Start 9/1/2010 due 9/17/2010 How and when do we use the sun for power? Is it a viable solution for all our energy needs? Start 9/20/2010 due 10/1/2010 Nuclear Power-what is it, how does it produce electricity, will it solve our energy needs and is it safe? Start 10/11/20101 due 10/22/2010 Hydrogen fuel cells –what are they, will they solve our energy problems and how? Start 10/25/2010 due 11/5/2010 Climate change - what is it, what can we do about it what are we doing about it? Start 11/8/2010 due 11/19/2010 Do’s and Don’ts: Don’t be afraid of details, as long as they are related to the topic. Do include details. I expect and encourage details. Remember this is a physics class, details on the physics and the technology are more than appropriate, they are absolutely necessary to properly answer the question. Do include relevant pictures and figures, but don’t pad the paper with figures and pictures, unless they are relevant to the question. The 2 page minimum is for text, if you add pictures, I expect the paper to be longer than 2 pages. Don’t turn in a paper that does not meet the 4 requirements listed above. It will be returned immediately with a grade of 0. You will have the opportunity to rewrite it, but no extra time will be given for other class work to be completed. Don’t plagarize. It is an automatic 0 and you will be reported to the university for further disciplinary action. Don’t copy your friends or enemies work. You both will be subject to the penalties described above for plagarism.

This is not a new topic! Just how long have we been talking about this?