Physics I for Biological Sciences Majors: FAQ
- What topics from calculus do you think are
most important to review before class starts?
- Knight's 2nd edition is available as
a hardcover and as a 5-volume set. Which one should I buy?
- I have the 1st edition and was wondering
if it would be sufficient for the class?
- My computer broke down. How can I do
my online work at MasteringPhysics.com?
- I have a burning question. Do I
call the professor? See the TA?
- Are you going to use clickers?
- What type of calculator is most helpful in
this course?
- I have trouble registering at Mastering Physics.
Who should I talk to?
1. What topics from calculus do you think are
most important to review before class starts?
You need to understand the concepts of the derivative and integral and
be able to differentiate and integrate elementary functions: powers and
polynomials for the most part, exponentials and sines towards the end
of
the semester. If you have the textbook handy, Ch. 2.2 and 2.3
will give
you an idea for the level of calculus in the course.
2. Knight's
2nd edition is available as a hardcover and as a 5-volume set.
Which one should I buy?
The 2nd edition of Physics
for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern
Physics comes in several different packages with different ISBNs.
The publisher's
web site sells various combinations and formats, including an
e-book.
You can buy any of them, but keep in mind the following:
- In the fall, we will cover Ch. 1-15, 20-22 found in Volumes 1 and
3 of
the five-volume set.
- The continuation class, Physics 104,
uses the same book and will cover Ch. 23-42 contained in Volumes 3, 4,
and 5.
- If the package does not include a subscription to MasteringPhysics, an online
homework system, buy it separately.
- The Student Workbook
(highly recommended) may be sold separately.
I personally find the 5-volume set easier to handle than the 1400-page
hardcover.
3. I have the 1st edition and was wondering if
it would be sufficient for the class?
The second edition of the text is not radically different from the
first
one. They have added conceptual questions (like the ones found in
the
student workbook), revised 20% of the problems and reshuffled a few
chapters. So as far as the textbook is concerned, using the 1st
edition can give you headaches but it won't kill you.
A separate issue is the online homework system at MasteringPhysics.com.
A subscription is bundled with the textbook currently sold at the JHU
bookstore. You may have purchased the subscription with the 1st
edition
of the book, but you should make sure it is still valid. (Likely
so
if you purchased it within the last 12 months.) Otherwise you may
need to buy the
subscription directly from MasteringPhysics.
4. My computer broke down. How can I do
my online work at MasteringPhysics.com?
There are several computer labs
and kiosks
on Homewood campus and in the
dorms. Check out the labs first: they are meant to provide a
comfortable and quiet
environment for doing work.
5. I have a burning question. Do I call
the professor? See the TA?
- Administrative issues are best addressed to the professor or Head
TA. Email works best.
- Questions about physics can be discussed with the
professor or your TA during their office hours.
- Tap the collective knowledge. Set up a group study.
Post your
questions on the Discussion Board.
- Grades may not be communicated by email or phone.
6. Are you going to
use clickers?
No.
7. What type of calculator is most helpful in
this course?
A minimum functionality list is trigonometric, exponential, and
logarithmic functions. Almost every calculator has them these
days.
Online homework includes graphing exercises. If your calculator
has a graphing mode, do not use it
while doing homework. You should be able to make graphs without
relying on electronic tools. That is essential for the
understanding of basic physical concepts such as position, velocity,
and acceleration, and the mathematical relations between them.
Once you have mastered graphing data, the graphing mode can be a useful
tool.
8. I have trouble
registering at Mastering Physics. Who should I talk to?
Read the FAQ
page at Mastering Physics. If that does not help contact the
vendor. You will find contact information on the same page.
