1. Physics 215–Elementary Modern Physics
Topics Covered:
¼ Special Relativity
½ Quantum Mechanics
1/12 Nuclear Physics
1/12 Special Topic #1
1/12 Special Topic #2
Everyone Pick Up:
Syllabus
Student Info sheet – fill it out
Physics Dept. Talk Wednesdays
Munchies at 3:30, lobby
Meeting at 4:00, Olin 101
8/27

2. Physics 215 –Modern Physics
Eric Carlson
“Eric”
“Professor Carlson”
Olin 306
OH: Tues & Thurs 1-2 or by appointment
Materials
Modern Physics, 6th ed., Tipler and Llewellyn
Webassign access
Scientific Calculator
Laptop

3. Dr. Carlson’s Approximate Schedule
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
9:00
10:00
research
research
research
11:00
12:00
PHY 741
office hour
PHY 741
office hour
PHY 741
1:00
PHY 215
office hour
PHY 215
office hour
PHY 215
2:00
research
research
research
3:00
4:00
Collins Hall
Free food
colloquium
5:00
I will try to be in my office Tues. Thurs. 12-2
Also in Collins Hall Tues. 3:30-5:00
When in doubt, call/ first

4. Preparing for Lecture https://www.webassign.net/student.html
Reading Assignment
Sections 1-1 and 1-2 by Wednesday
Sections 1-3 and 1-4 by Friday
Read the material assigned on the Web, or in class each day, before class starts
Read the reading quiz, posted on Webassign
Take a Webassign-based reading quiz online by 9:30 AM
Quizzes:
Reading quiz A by Wednesday
Reading quiz B by Friday

5. Class attendance and seating
Attendance is expected every day
More than two unexcused absences count against your grade
If you have an advance excuse, contact me ( )
If you are ill, call/ me OR bring Doctor’s note
Starting Friday, everyone will sit in the same seat every day (your choice which seat, but not the back row)

6. Class Participation Homework Homework: Homework A by Friday
Everyone is expected to participate in class
Come prepared
Ask questions
Volunteer to answer my questions
If you don’t ask me questions, I’ll ask you questions
Homework
About 1-3 problems per homework set
Almost always Webassign – online
Eight chances on most problems
Due almost every day at 9:30 AM, starting Monday
Getting help is encouraged
Ask a friend
Ask me
Don’t copy – this is an honors code violation
Homework:
Homework A by Friday

7. WebAssign Hints on using WebAssign are on the web Logging in:
Username = Wake address (mine is
Password = First four letters (not punctuation) of your last name, with correct capitalization followed by last four digits of your student ID (mine is Carl1262)
Answers input usually must be better than 1% accuracy
Suggest doing calculations to 4 digits, input at least 3
Numbers can be put in scientific notation
Enter as 3.00E8
Equations – input with *, /, +, -, and ^.
Volume of sphere of radius r: 4*pi*r^3/3
See me if you are having problems

8. Labs
No lab for this course, but PHY 265 is normally taken at the same time
Dr. Keith Bonin in charge
Labs start tomorrow

9. Exams Exam Dates: September 19 October 17 November 9 December 10
3 tests and a final
Honors code violations will be turned in to the honor council
Normally, penalty is 1-term suspension and an irreplaceable F in the course
Part multiple choice, mostly short answers and worked problems
Old tests on the web
If ill, call me/ me immediately or bring a doctor’s note
Solid Red Line – Memorize this formula
Dotted Red Line – Easily Derived from Other formulas
Dashed Red Line – Know how to use it
Other colors – not on test

10. Percentage Breakdown:
Test 1 12%
Test 2 12%
Test 3 12%
Final 24%
Homework 30%
Class Part. 5%
Read Quiz 5%
Grades
Grade Assigned
94% A 73% C
90% A- 70% C-
87% B+ 67% D+
83% B 63% D
80% B- 60% D-
77% C+ <60% F
Little if any curving
Do not allow extra credit

11. The Web Pandemic Plans http://users.wfu.edu/ecarlson/modern
Numerous materials can be found on the web for this course
These lectures
Handouts:
Syllabus
Math Review
“Units” constants and other information
Introduction to WebAssign
Old tests and test information
Emergency contacts:
Web page
Cell:
Home:
Pandemic Plans
If there is a catastrophic closing of the university, we will attempt to continue the class: