Physics 605: How Things Work I
Problem Sets

Several conceptual questions per problem set. Questions will require independent thought on your part in order to answer them correctly. You are encouraged to discuss problems with one another, but you must write up your answers separately and in your own words. Points will be deducted from your problem set if you use someone else's words or allow them to use your words. Most all homework problems and exam questions will be taken from your textbook or video tapes.

Homework:


Problem set 1 is due 11:59 PM Sat. Nov. 16, 2002
Problem set 2 is due 11:59 PM Sat. Nov. 23, 2002
Problem set 3 is due 11:59 PM Sat. Dec 14, 2002
Problem set 4 is due  9:00 AM Mon. Dec 23, 2002
Problem set 5 is due 11:59 PM Sat. Jan 11, 2003
Problem set 6 is due 11:59 PM Mon. Jan 27, 2003
Problem set 7 is due 11:59 PM Sat. Feb 8, 2003
Problem set 8 is due 11:59 PM Sat. Feb 15, 2003

Exams:


Exam 1 is due Mon. - Wed., Dec 2 - 4, 2002
Exam 2 is due Mon. - Wed., Jan 20 - 22, 2003
Exam 3 is due Mon. 9:00 AM, Feb 3, 2003
Final is due Mon. - Wed., Feb 19 - 21, 2003

Exams 1 & 2

You will take two 2-hour closed-book exams using WebAssign on the material on the video tapes including the demos; the material in the appropriate chapters that you have been asked to read; and particularly the exercises, problems, and cases in those chapters that you have been assigned. The exam will emphasize understanding of concepts so that memorization will be far less valuable for answering the questions than basic insight into how things work. The exams will be multiple choice with 4 incorrect answers and 1 correct answer. You will submit exams using WebAssign. You may take Exam 1any 2 hour period between Dec 2 - Dec 4. Exact times will be given later. A similar arrangement will be made for other exams.

Proctors

A proctor can be a supervisor, principal, superintendent, Department Chair, or professional colleague. No relatives, in-laws, spouses or social friends are allowed to be proctors. It is the proctor's responsibility to assure me you took the exam according to the given instructions and that you abided by the UVa honor code. The proctor does not have to be present during the entire time you are taking the exam. Before taking any exam you will email me your proctor's name, professional relationship with you, title, email address, telephone, and snail mail address if no email is available. I will email the proctor and give him/her the instructions for you to take the exam. After you have submitted the exam electronically, your proctor will email me to inform me that you took the exam according to the honor system.

Honor Code

All UVa. Students' are bound by the UVa Honor code. Please familiarize yourself with it in the University of Virginia Graduate Record Catalog. In accordance with the U. Va. honor code, a student normally writes on the exam that they neither gave or received aid and sign it. It is not possible for the student to sign the exam, since it is submitted electronically. As a substitute procedure, the last question on the exam will be in effect " I pledge that I took the exam without violation of the honor code". The student must answer that question yes or no. You are expected to make arrangements with your supervisor, principal, or superintendent, to proctor your exam. Ground rules and policy for proctoring the exam will be given to you and the proctor.

Exam 3

Exam 3 is the exam that you create. You make up an exam consisting of 14 multiple choice questions with 3 wrong answers and 1 right answer. Submit the exam through email as a Microsoft word attachment. The exam will be graded based on how well you follow these guidelines:

  • Write up 14 multiple choice questions with three wrong answers and one right answer. Do not use the answer choice "none of these" or "all of these." Do not use pictures.
  • Construct your question from the physics on the videotapes and power point slides that cover lectures 27 - 33. Take  two questions from each lecture. 
  • Wrong answers should not be obviously wrong or so ridiculous that they can be easily guessed as wrong. The object is to test as much relevant science knowledge as possible through the right answer and the three wrong answers.
  • The level of physics tested should be set at the level as the present class.
  • Personalize your questions so I know you made them up. Use situations in your classroom or with your family to make up your question and answers, but takes the physics itself from the lectures.
  • Do not copy questions from previous years. Do not copy questions from your book or any other book.
  • How well your questions test the physics knowledge of the individual?
  • No time limit
  • Each answer is worth 0, 1, or 2 pts. and each question is worth 0, 2, or 4 pts. Total number of points on exam is 12 x 14 = 168. If your answer to your question is wrong, you will lose all 12 points regardless of anything else.
  • I will choose some of the best questions from each of you for the final exam.
  • Arrange your answers so that your correct answer is the first answer. Use the same style of presentation of questions and answers as I gave you.
  • Each question is no longer than 4 lines, arial font, size 11.
  • Each answer is no longer than 1 line, arial font, size 11.

    •  

    Point deduction code for Exam 3
    Questions
    NGPI -4 Does not contain a good physics concept or idea
    LC -4 Long and confusing ideas, but grammar okay
    PW -4 Poor wording caused by incorrect grammar
    MGE -2 Minor grammatical errors
    VA -4 Very ambiguous
    DNG -4 Does not use good logic
    NWDQ -4 to -12 Not a well-defined question or answer
    MI -4 Missing information
    NFD -2 to -12 Did not follow directions
    SP -2 Spelling


    Answers
    IA -12 Answer to your question is incorrect
    OW -2 One of your choice answers is so obviously wrong that the reader can guess it's the wrong answer without having to know much science. This choice doesn't really test anything. This is the most common error.
    VA -2 Very ambiguous
    TMI -2 Too much information - confusing
    SGE -2 Significant grammar errors - confusing
    PP -2 Poor physics
    DNL -2 Does not use good logic
    MI -2 Missing information
    NFD -2 to -12 Did not follow directions
    AC -2 Also correct. More than one correct answer
    SP -2 Spelling

    Final Exam

    You will take a three-hour exam at a time convenient for you and your proctor. You will be responsible for all material on the video tapes and in the appropriate chapters that you have been asked to read as well as exercises, problems, and cases in those chapters. The exam will emphasize understanding of concepts so that memorization will be far less valuable for answering the questions than basic insight into how things work.


    January 20,2003