D. Roberts PHYS 121 University of Maryland PHYS 121: Fundamentals of Physics I August 30, 2006

D. Roberts PHYS 121 University of Maryland Administrative Stuff Please pick up a copy of the syllabus –Also available on the web Waitlist Issues –Enrollment in the course is limited by space in the labs –24 is the MAXIMUM number of students we can accommodate per section –Since labs don’t start until the week of Sept. 11, if you are on the waitlist you are welcome to attend lecture and do homework –BUT, once the labs begin we will have to limit attendance to students enrolled in the course

D. Roberts PHYS 121 University of Maryland Themes of this class Learning to think and reason about the physical world. Building your intuition – refining and reconciling what you know with careful observation and analysis of the world. Mathematics – the language of science; We don’t only use math to calculate, we use it to think about relationships between quantities. Measurement – Feynman said, “Science is about us learning how not to fool ourselves.”

D. Roberts PHYS 121 University of Maryland Making a measurement We all think we see the world around us, but… We all live in our own Virtual Reality. –We get info on the world through our senses. –Our brains interpret this sensory information to create a sense of the external world. –Our brains don’t always get it right!

D. Roberts PHYS 121 University of Maryland Lab Theme: Understanding Measurement Although we will be using physics concepts learned in lecture, reading, and tutorial in lab, demonstrating their reality will NOT be the point of the lab. The goal of the laboratory will be to have you learn to think about measurement and data. –How trustworthy is your data? –Why should someone believe your result? –When are two results “close enough” that we can say they agree? –When two results differ, how can we decide what is the correct answer?

D. Roberts PHYS 121 University of Maryland Labs and Tutorials Will Begin Meeting the Week of September 11

D. Roberts PHYS 121 University of Maryland Course Info Web Page – –You can find a copy of the handout on the web page under “Syllabus” Contact Info –Prof. Doug Roberts –PHYS 4308 (or Student Services Office on 1 st floor) –X56067 Materials –Text Book Serway/Faughn, College Physics, Volume 1, 7 th Edition –Lab Manual PHYSICS 121, Tutorials and Laboratories, Fall 2006 Edition –WebAssign access code Can purchase on-line from –“Clicker” You must register your clicker

D. Roberts PHYS 121 University of Maryland First Homework Due Sunday, Sept. 10 This is just an exercise in using WebAssign Logging in: –Username: University Directory ID name –Institution: “umd” –Password: UID number (NOT SSN number) Should be something like “107xxxxxx” You can use WebAssign for two weeks without an access code –After that, you will need an access code –Can be purchased on-line if you didn’t get one with the text If you are having problems logging in to WebAssign, let me know right away:

D. Roberts PHYS 121 University of Maryland Pre-Course Survey Pick up a questionnaire, bubble-scan sheet and No. 2 pencil (if you need one) Please don’t write on the questionnaire Please DO put your name and ID number on the bubble- scan sheet YOU WILL NOT BE GRADED ON THE SURVEY You WILL receive 5 participation points that count toward your final grade –So be sure to include your name and ID Return both questionnaire and bubble-scan sheet when you are finished See you on Friday –Please try to get clickers and WebAssign access ASAP