These links provide information on all aspects of the class. If you have a question not answered by this page, email Prof. Hafner at: hafner@rice.edu
Course Topics and Reading Assignments
Course Topics and Reading Assignments (top)
There is no specific textbook for PHYS102x. Any of the standard calculus-based intro physics textbooks will suffice. It doesn't even need to be new - intro physics hasn't changed much in the past hundred years! A free online textbook is available from OpenStax here. For whatever book you use, here are topics to read about for each Learning Sequence.
LS1. Charge! - charge in matter, Coulomb's Law, triboelectricity, insulators and conductors, charging by induction, arc and corona discharges
LS2. Electric Field - electric fields, electric forces, charged particle kinematics, continuous charge distributions, field lines
LS3. Gauss's Law - vector flux, Gauss's Law, electric fields and conductors, electrostatic shielding
LS4. Electric Potential - electrostatic potential energy, electric potential, energy to assemble charges, capacitors, dielectrics
LS5. Circuits - electric current, resistance, batteries, Ohm's Law, DC circuits with resistors and capacitors
Courseware (top)
Under the Courseware tab you will find the lectures, lecture problems, and homework assignments. If you are unable to stream the videos, there are download links for both the video and the transcript. Below each video is an image of the complete chalk board. Click it to see a magnified view.
External Resources (top)
Video solutions to some example problems can be found at Prof. Hafner's PHYS 102 YouTube page. These were recorded for the on-campus course in 2011 and are from Serway & Jewett, 8th ed.
Here are several links that previous 102x students have found useful:
Introduction to Work and Energy (Khan Academy)
Introduction to Vectors and Scalars (Khan Academy)
Trigonometry and Precalculus (Khan Academy)
Calculating Derivatives (Khan Academy)
Indefinite and Definite Integrals (Khan Academy)
Grading Policy (top)
Lecture Problems: Each unit contains a few conceptual problems to help you understand the material. You have unlimited submissions to get these problems correct, and the answer will be available after your first attempt. Your score on the Lecture Problems is only 10% of your final grade.
Homework Problems: At the end of each Learning Sequence is a homework problem set. On these problems you have three attempts for numerical and formula response, and two attempts for multiple choice. Numerical response answers will be considered correct if within plus or minus 5% of the exact answer. The answer will be available after you have given the correct answer or have exhausted all of your submissions. Your total score on the homework problems counts for 40% of your final grade.
Exam: The exams consists of about 20 numeric response, formula entry, and multiple choice problems similar in style to the homework. You may use the course materials, your physics book, and a calculator, but no other sources of assistance. The exam counts for 50% of your grade.
This course is self-paced, so there are no due dates!
Collaboration Guidelines (top)
Working with fellow students can be an effective way to learn. However, you must be careful not to rely too much on others, and be sure you understand the material yourself. You are welcome to discuss the Lecture Problems and Homework with other students in the forum. However, you should not post answers or exact solutions. Follow these guidelines:
1. It is okay to discuss the general approach to solving a problem.
2. It is okay to work with others to come up with the general steps for a solution.
3. It is okay to give or receive hints if you get stuck while attempting a problem.
4. You should work out the details of the solution yourself.
5. It is not okay to simply copy someone else's solution or answer.
6. It is not okay to simply plug your own numbers into someone else's formula in order to get a final answer.
7. It is not okay to look at a step-by-step solution to a problem before its deadline has passed.
8. It is not okay to share or receive answers to an assignment before its deadline has passed.
9. it is okay to let someone show you a few steps of a solution, provided you have already given a wholehearted attempt to solve it by yourself and have been stuck for some time.
10. After you have collaborated with others in generating a correct solution, you should be able to do a very similar problem on your own.
The course staff will be proactive in removing posts and responses in the discussion forum that have stepped over the line. Note that these guidelines do not apply to the exam. You must complete the exam on your own, using only course materials and a standard physics textbook.
Forum Guidelines (top)
The discussion forum is the primary way for you to communicate with other students and the course staff. We hope that the forum serves as a useful resource, and that the students of PHYS102x develop a sense of community.
Keep it organized: While you are always welcome to start a new thread, note that most material in the course includes a “Show Discussion” link below it. Clicking on this link will show all discussions on the forum associated with that particular exercise or video, and if you post your question there it will remain associated with the right content. This is a good first place to go for help!
Eschew obfuscation and espouse elucidation: Write a concise yet descriptive title for your post, and provide enough information for others to understand the question or comment. Correct spelling and grammar will help others to understand you and provide useful responses. Avoid using ALL CAPS, abbrv of wrds (abbreviation of words), and excessive punctuation!!!!!!!!!
Upvote good posts: Click on the green “plus” button so that good posts and/or responses can be found more easily. Also, you can search by votes to find the most interesting posts.
Notify staff of bugs/errata: Including the term “BUG” at the beginning of your post’s title will help notify the course staff of any courseware related issues or problems. Please use this format only when reporting issues in the courseware!
Be polite: You are participating in a global classroom, with students from around the world and often with very different backgrounds. Let’s build a positive community!
Observe the Honor Code: We encourage collaboration and learning communities, but please avoid asking for and/or posting answers to assignments. Those caught cheating may have their accounts disabled and their progress erased.