PH 311

Modern Physics

Fall, 2016

Prof. Drake Mitchell

Office in 374 SRTC
drakem@pdx.edu
5-2272
Office Hours:
Wed. 10:00 11:00 & Fri. 1:30 2:30
Required Text: Modern Physics (3rd edition) by Serway, Moses & Moyer
Probably no other field of study has a standard university-level course with Modern in the title
that covers developments from 1887 to 1927. But in physics the discoveries and theories
formulated during the 1st 3 decades of the last century changed the field so profoundly that they
are still referred to as the birth of modern physics.
Structure of the course
1. Emphasis on concepts: Research shows that undergrad physics students generally learn
how to solve a variety of difficult computational problems, but may finish a class with a
weak understanding of the underlying physical concepts. Thus, there will be an emphasis
on helping you actually understand the many important concepts introduced in Modern
Physics. Conceptual questions will make up a significant portion of every test. The
regular homework and the majority of the test questions will be standard, quantitative
physics problems. Two features of the class are designed specifically to help with
learning the concepts: pre-class Warm Ups and Peer Instruction.
2. Pre-class Warm Ups: This means short homework assignments due before class. These
assignments will consist of 3 questions; 2 taken from the reading assigned for that days
class and a final question about what you found difficult in the days reading. These
assignments will be graded on effort and coherence rather than correctness. Warm Ups
are due via D2L or email by 8am on the day of class, if this is not possible they can be
turned in on paper at the start of class.
3. Peer Instruction: Well use a type of interactive classroom instruction that you may have

run into before in a class that used clickers. Instead of asking you to buy clickers well
use flashcards. While this activity will not be graded, your participation is strongly
encouraged as it has been proven to be a more effective way to learn than simply
listening to a lecture.
Grading Component

Grading %

Homework (problem sets); 6 assigned; toss the lowest 1 (see Extra Credit)

25

Pre-class Warm Ups

10

Your lowest scoring Exam

15

Your remaining 2 exam scores, weighted equally

50

Grading: Grades will be determined using the following scale: 90% or better is an A-/A
79% to 89% is a B-/B+
68% to 78% is a C-/C+
57% to 67% is a D

Homework Policies: Due dates for all homework are listed on the class schedule. Late problem
set homework will be accepted in my mailbox in the Physics office up to 9:00am on the 1st
Monday following the original due date with a 20% penalty. Solutions to homework will be
posted on D2L after late homework is collected. No late pre-class reading homework will be
accepted.
Exam Policies:
All three exams are required; missing an exam will result in a zero for that
exam. To be excused from an exam you must e-mail me in the beginning of the term explaining the
scheduling conflict (job-related or family-related). In case of an illness a doctors note is required to
excuse the absence. Missing 2 exams will result in a grade of F for the course. Make-up exams
will be given only under extreme circumstances. If you will use the testing center to take exams
they must be scheduled either the same day as the class exam or the day immediately following.
Extra Credit
1. Homework extra credit: If all 6 homework assignments are turned in the lowest-scoring
assignment will be considered extra credit. 50% of the points earned on this assignment
will added to the points from the other 5 assignments.
2. Test extra credit: Each exam will have 5 to 10 points of extra questions/problems; ie. 110
possible points on an exam where 100 is the maximum score.
Recommendations for success in this class
1. Form a study group. Success in this course means absorbing a number of new physical
concepts and computational methods. For most people this process is made easier by
working through the material with others. Groups of 2 or 3 or 4 are strongly encouraged,
groups bigger than 4 may not be as beneficial. These can be homework groups; no
penalty for turning in identical homework answers.
2. Remember that simultaneous conservation of momentum and energy means you start
every applicable problem with the ability to write down at least 2 equations.
Class
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Date
9/27
9/29
10/4
10/6
10/11
10/13
10/18
10/20
10/25
10/27
11/1
11/3

Reading Assignment
Syllabus, 1st test, Chapter 1
Chapter 1, p.1 - 35
Chapter 2, p. 41 - 59
Chapter 3, p. 65 - 77
Chapter 3, p. 77 - 85
Exam 1
Chapter 3, p. 86 - 98
Chapter 4, p. 106 - 125
Chapter 4, p. 125- 144
Chapter 5, p. 151 - 163
Chapter 5, p. 164 - 169
Exam 2

Warm Up due
Ch. 1
Ch. 2
Ch. 3 #1
Ch. 3 #2
Ch. 3 #3
Ch. 4 #1
Ch. 4 #2
Ch. 5 #1
Ch. 5 #2

Homework due

Ch. 1, 2

Ch. 3
Ch. 4

13
14
15
16
17
18
19

11/8
11/10
11/15
11/17
11/22
11/29
12/1
12/6

Chapter 5, p. 173 - 187

Chapter 6, p. 191 - 200
Chapter 6, p. 200 - 212
Chapter 6, p. 212 - 226
Chapter 7, p. 231 - 241
Chapter 7, p. 242 248 & 253 - 259
Review, catch up.
10:15 am; Exam 3

Ch. 5 #3
Ch. 6 #1
Ch. 6 #2
Ch. 6 #3
Ch. 7 #1
Ch. 7 #2

Ch. 5
Ch. 6
Ch. 7

Academic Misconduct: Academic dishonesty is the act of knowingly or intentionally seeking to claim
credit for the work or effort of another person or participation in such acts. This includes, but is not
limited to: (a) cheating, (b) fraud, (c) plagiarism, such as word for word copying, using borrowed words
or phrases from original text into new patterns without attribution, or paraphrasing another writer's ideas;
(d) The buying or selling of all or any portion of course assignments and research papers; (e) Performing
academic assignments (including tests and examinations) for other persons; (f) Unauthorized disclosure or
receipt of academic information; (g) Falsification of research data; and (h) Unauthorized collaboration.
Adapted from: PSU Student Code of Conduct (http://www.pdx.edu/dos/codeofconduct)
Cheating during an exam will result in a zero grade in the course and referral to the office of student
affairs. A no tolerance policy will be enforced.