Old Announcements

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Nov 18

Final Exam
The final exam period has been set by the Registrar's Office. The Final Exam for all PHYS 2211 sections will be administered Wednesday, December 2, 6:00–8:50pm. Students should receive an invitation to a WebEx Quiz meeting by the end of the day Monday, November 30.

Please join the meeting by 5:50 PM. You then have 10 minutes to demonstrate that you have a clear workspace and an appropriate calculator. You are only allowed to have blank paper for your work, a calculator that cannot store letters, the standard formula sheet, and Table 12-2 from your text, Moments of Inertia of Objects with Uniform Density. The formula sheet and Table 12-2 will be provided with the pdf file of the exam, and links to them will be included in Gradescope.

The exam will start at 6:00 PM and will end at 8:50 PM. You then have until 9:10 PM to scan and upload your exam. Note that you must stop working at 8:50! You may not take extra time for the exam if you think you can scan quickly. During the quiz period keep your microphone muted; if you have a questions send a private chat message to the proctor, who will be identified as host on the participants list.

There will be four Free-Response problems, together worth about half the points on the exam (so, 13% each). There will be 16–20 Multiple-Choice questions worth the rest. Some of the Multiple-Choice may require a bit more calculation than the Multiple-Choice did on the quizzes, but many will be strictly conceptual. I believe that topics in the course will be covered roughly evenly — that is, there will be no special emphasis on material after Quiz #4.

You will be scanning your Free Response work into Gradescope for grading. To make this go more smoothly, write darkly and neatly. Blue or black ink is recommended. Do not make any erasures in your free-response work. Cross out anything you do not want evaluated. Box your answer. Check your file before uploading.

Multiple-Choice questions will be answered directly in Gradescope.

Remember that calculators that cannot store text may be used on the quizzes and final exam. Note that if your calculator keypad includes a complete alphabet, that's a very good sign that it cannot be used.

Remember our expectations for your work on the free response problems, which are the same good problem-solving practices you should be using on the homework, anyway.

• Units should be shown with any value that has a unit
• Algebraic manipulations should be performed with symbols, not values
• Consider, but do not obsess over, significant figures

You may find an example helpful.

Nov 12

Quiz #4 Results
Results for Quiz #4 are available as a percent in the Canvas gradebook under Quiz #4.

The Gradescope link in the Canvas navigation menu will take you to Gradescope, where you will be able to see how you did on each Free Response problem and Multiple Choice question. Note that the FR problems were graded as a percent, but the MC questions were graded as points. That is, 100 on a FR problem isn't 100 points, its 100% of the 16 points the problem was worth. This was not a 352-point quiz!

If you have questions or concerns about how your quiz was graded, you should contact Dr. Murray (the request regrade button in Gradescope is simplest, if that's your concern) by the Final Instructional Class Day, Tuesday, November 24.

Nov 10

Quiz #4 Solutions
Solutions to Quiz #4 have been posted. We hope to have scores available later this week.

Nov 09

Office Hours Mon Nov 09
Unfortunately, meetings for the School of Physics Program Review conflict with my Office Hours on Monday, Nov 09. Therefore, my Office Hours will be delayed one hour on that day, to start at 3pm.

Nov 03

Quiz #4
Quiz #4 will be administered on Monday, November 09, at 6:30pm, through Gradescope. Students should receive an invitation to a WebEx Quiz meeting by the end of the day Thursday, the 5th.

Please join the meeting by 6:20 PM. You then have 10 minutes to demonstrate that you have a clear workspace and an appropriate calculator. You all only allowed to have the standard formula sheet, blank paper for your work, and a calculator that cannot store letters. The quiz will start at 6:30 PM and will end at 7:45 PM. You then have until 8:05 PM to scan and upload your quiz. During the quiz period keep your microphone muted; if you have a questions send a private chat message to the proctor, who will be identified as host on the participants list.

Multiple-Choice questions will be answered directly in Gradescope.

You will be scanning your Free Response work into Gradescope for grading. To make this go more smoothly, write darkly and neatly. Blue or black ink is recommended. Do not make any erasures in your free-response work. Cross out anything you do not want evaluated. Box your answer.

Remember that calculators that cannot store text may be used on the quizzes and final exam. Note that if your calculator keypad includes a complete alphabet, that's a very good sign that it cannot be used.

Remember our expectations for your work on the free response problems, which are the same good problem-solving practices you should be using on the homework, anyway.

• Units should be shown with any value that has a unit
• Algebraic manipulations should be performed with symbols, not values
• Consider, but do not obsess over, significant figures

You may find an example helpful.

Oct 22

Quiz #3 Results
Results for Quiz #3 are available as a percent in the Canvas gradebook under Quiz #3.

The Gradescope link in the Canvas navigation menu will take you to Gradescope, where you will be able to see how you did on each Free Response problem and Multiple Choice question. Note that the FR problems were graded as a percent, but the MC questions were graded as points. That is, 100 on a FR problem isn't 100 points, its 100% of the 16 points the problem was worth. This was not a 352-point quiz!

The question about the block sliding up and down slopes (ProbD) went quite badly, and was converted to extra credit. If you wish to confirm your score in Cavas by your own calculation, find the points earned on each FR problem by multiplying the percentage score by the value (16 points), then add the points earned on all the MC questions other than ProbD. Divide the total by 0.92, then add any points earned on ProbD. Scores may exceed 100%.

If you have questions or concerns about how your quiz was graded, you should contact Dr. Murray (the request regrade button in Gradescope is simplest, if that's your concern) before Quiz #4 is administered on Monday, November 9.

Oct 20

Quiz #3 Solutions
Solutions to Quiz #3 have been posted. We hope to have scores available later this week.

Oct 16

Unofficial Mid-Term Grades
Unofficial Mid-Term Grades are available under PostEm in Canvas.

Oct 14

Quiz #3
Quiz #3 will be administered on Monday, October 19, at 6:30pm, through Gradescope. Students should receive an invitation to a WebEx Quiz meeting by the end of the day Thursday, the 15th.

Please join the meeting by 6:20 PM. You then have 10 minutes to demonstrate that you have a clear workspace and an appropriate calculator. You all only allowed to have the standard formula sheet, blank paper for your work, and a calculator that cannot store letters. The quiz will start at 6:30 PM and will end at 7:45 PM. You then have until 8:05 PM to scan and upload your quiz. During the quiz period keep your microphone muted; if you have a questions send a private chat message to the proctor, who will be identified as host on the participants list.

Multiple-Choice questions will be answered directly in Gradescope.

You will be scanning your Free Response work into Gradescope for grading. To make this go more smoothly, write darkly and neatly. Blue or black ink is recommended. Do not make any erasures in your free-response work. Cross out anything you do not want evaluated. Box your answer.

Remember that calculators that cannot store text may be used on the quizzes and final exam. Note that if your calculator keypad includes a complete alphabet, that's a very good sign that it cannot be used.

Remember our expectations for your work on the free response problems, which are the same good problem-solving practices you should be using on the homework, anyway.

• Units should be shown with any value that has a unit
• Algebraic manipulations should be performed with symbols, not values
• Consider, but do not obsess over, significant figures

You may find an example helpful.

Oct 01

Cards for CHOA
One of your classmates recommends you consider participating in Cards for CHOA.

Oct 01

Quiz #2 Results
Results for Quiz #2 are available as a percent in the Canvas gradebook under Quiz #2.

The Gradescope link in the Canvas navigation menu will take you to Gradescope, where you will be able to see how you did on each Free Response problem and Multiple Choice question. Note that the FR problems were graded as a percent, but the MC questions were graded as points. That is, 100 on a FR problem isn't 100 points, its 100% of the 16 points the problem was worth. This was not a 352-point quiz!

If you have questions or concerns about how your quiz was graded, you should contact Dr. Murray (the request regrade button in Gradescope is simplest, if that's your concern) before Quiz #3 is administered on Monday, October 19.

Sep 30

Quiz #2 Solutions and Results
Solutions to Quiz #2 have been posted. We hope to have scores available later this week.

Sep 22

Progress Reports
Progress Reports (Mid-Term Grades) have been sent to the Registrar.

Sep 22

Quiz #2
Quiz #2 will be administered on Monday, September 28, at 6:30pm, through Gradescope. Students should receive an invitation to a WebEx Quiz meeting by the end of the day Thursday, the 24th.

Please join the meeting by 6:20 PM. You then have 10 minutes to demonstrate that you have a clear workspace and an appropriate calculator. You all only allowed to have the standard formula sheet, blank paper for your work, and a calculator that cannot store letters. The quiz will start at 6:30 PM and will end at 7:45 PM. You then have until 8:05 PM to scan and upload your quiz. During the quiz period keep your microphone muted; if you have a questions send a private chat message to the proctor, who will be identified as host on the participants list.

Multiple-Choice questions will be answered directly in Gradescope.

You will be scanning your Free Response work into Gradescope for grading. To make this go more smoothly, write darkly and neatly. Blue or black ink is recommended. Do not make any erasures in your free-response work. Cross out anything you do not want evaluated. Box your answer.

Remember that calculators that cannot store text may be used on the quizzes and final exam. Note that if your calculator keypad includes a complete alphabet, that's a very good sign that it cannot be used.

Remember our expectations for your work on the free response problems, which are the same good problem-solving practices you should be using on the homework, anyway.

• Units should be shown with any value that has a unit
• Algebraic manipulations should be performed with symbols, not values
• Consider, but do not obsess over, significant figures

You may find an example helpful.

Sep 17

Quiz #1 Results
Results for Quiz #1 are available as a percent in the Canvas gradebook under Quiz #1.

The Gradescope link in the Canvas navigation menu will take you to Gradescope, where you will be able to see how you did on each Free Response problem and Multiple Choice question. Note that the FR problems were graded as a percent, but the MC questions were graded as points. That is, 100 on a FR problem isn't 100 points, its 100% of the 16 points the problem was worth. This was not a 352-point quiz!

If you have questions or concerns about how your quiz was graded, you should contact Dr. Murray (the request regrade button in Gradescope is simplest, if that's your concern) before Quiz #2 is administered on Monday, September 28.

Sep 15

Measuring Mindset in Undergraduate STEM Students
A group at UGA is studying how undergraduates think about intelligence, and invite you to take part in a survey, for which you will be compensated with a $10 gift card. More information is available.

Sep 15

Quiz #1 Solutions and Results
Solutions to Quiz #1 have been posted. We hope to have scores available later this week.

Sep 10

Quiz #1
Quiz #1 will be administered on Monday, September 14, at 6:30pm, through Gradescope. Students should ignore the first WebEx Quiz meeting invitation they received earlier this week, and should instead go to the second Quiz meeting they were invited to.

Please join the meeting by 6:20 PM. You then have 10 minutes to demonstrate that you have a clear workspace and an appropriate calculator. You all only allowed to have the standard formula sheet, blank paper for your work, and a calculator that cannot store letters. The quiz will start at 6:30 PM and will end at 7:45 PM. You then have until 8:05 PM to scan and upload your quiz. During the quiz period keep your microphone muted; if you have a questions send a private chat message to the proctor, who will be identified as host on the participants list.

Multiple-Choice questions will be answered directly in Gradescope.

You will be scanning your Free Response work into Gradescope for grading. To make this go more smoothly, write darkly and neatly. Blue or black ink is recommended. Do not make any erasures in your free-response work. Cross out anything you do not want evaluated. Box your answer.

Remember that calculators that cannot store text may be used on the quizzes and final exam. Note that if your calculator keypad includes a complete alphabet, that's a very good sign that it cannot be used.

Remember our expectations for your work on the free response problems, which are the same good problem-solving practices you should be using on the homework, anyway.

• Units should be shown with any value that has a unit
• Algebraic manipulations should be performed with symbols, not values
• Consider, but do not obsess over, significant figures

You may find an example helpful.

Sep 02

Public Lecture
The first Public Lecture assignment for Other points is available in Canvas under Quizzes, due at the end of the month.

Aug 28

Class Participation and Reading Question Scores
Scores for Reading Questions (RQ) and Class Participation (CP) are available in the Canvas PostEm Tool, as percents. Note that since there is only one Reading Question each day, the only possible scores for it are zero, 13% (which is 1/8, rounded) and 100%. If you think your scores are incorrect, contact Dr. Murray.

Aug 28

Studio
Solutions to the first Studio problem has been posted. This will be done after each Studion is complete, and so will not normally be announced.

Aug 26

Homework Scores
Scores for the first week's homework, including extra credit for doing the Regular homework early, are available in the Canvas PostEm Tool. Note that extra credit will only appear in scores posted on Canvas, never in MasteringPhysics. Contact Dr. Murray if anything doesn't look right.

Aug 26

Final Exam Schedule Revised
The Registrar has revised the Final Exam Schedule. Our Final Exam is now Wednesday, December 2, from 6:00 to 8:50pm. Note that this is NOT the period corresponding to our lecture time.

Aug 21

Practice Class Participation Scores
Scores for questions polled in class during the first week are available in the Canvas PostEm Tool. Since the first week is for practice, these points don't matter. If you see a non-zero score, you know that your account is active and your answers are being received. If you believe you have activated your TurningPoint account and answered questions in class those days, but are seeing scores of zero, or no scores at all, contact Dr. Murray.

Aug 19

Whiteboard Captures
Images of the whiteboard are available in the Canvas Files folder.

First Day:

• Familiarize yourself with the class web page and all course policies. Bookmark this page!
• Be sure to purchase access to MasteringPhysics for this course. It is the homework service, and includes an e-text. You may use free temporary access for two weeks. The first assignments are due Tuesday, August 25, but bonus points can be earned by doing each by 9am before the next class meeting. All MasteringPhysics issues should be brought to Dr. Murray's attention by email.
• A Diagnostic Concept Test is available on Canvas for extra credit. Note that it is timed—once you start it, you must finish in 60 minutes. The deadline for completion is 11:59pm this Sunday, August 23.
• All students will need to register a Turning Technologies transmitter or Mobile ID in Canvas. We will begin using them in class on Wednesday, August 19, but the results will not count for credit until Monday, August 24.
• There will be no Problem Solving Studio or Laboratory meeting in the first week of class. The Monday evening time period listed in OSCAR will be used only for quizzes.
• Students with Disability Services letters must contact Dr. Murray. Sooner is better than later, but this must definitely be done by Friday, September 4.

Text
An e-text of Physics for Scientists and Engineers — A Strategic Approach (Fourth Edition) by Randall D. Knight will be provided with MasteringPhysics. If you wish to purchase a hard copy,

• Chapters 1 through 13 will be covered.
• If you are buying the softcover multi-volume edition, you will need only Volume One.
• The Student Workbook has been found to provide valuable practice for conceptual questions.

Attendance
You may be interested in the distribution of course grades by class attendance in PHYS 2211 for more than 2800 students in recent semesters.

You should be aware that there is a wealth of historical data in the traditional introductory physics courses that clearly point out two winning strategies: go to class and do EXTRA homework. Please take some time to look over this data; you may be surprised at how much of a difference such efforts can make, popular myths to the contrary notwithstanding.

How to Earn an "A"
Students who earned a grade of "A" in some previous semesters were invited to provide suggestions for students this semester. If you want to know how they did it, and how (we hope) you can too, read their advice.