Fall 1996

An introductory course for non-science majors introducing the concept of energy, its technical definition, its importance in our society, limitations pertaining to its use, and the future place of energy use in our technological life style. There are quantitative discussions of examples of energy in our society and the problems, that arise as a result.

To Physics Department

Instructor

Professor D. Reeder, 4287 Chamberlin Hall, 262-8798.
Feel free to send Email to reeder@wishep.physics.wisc.edu.

Course info is posted to WWW page http://www.physics.wisc.edu/undergrads/courses/115/Syllabus115.html .

Text

Energy and Problems of a Technical Society, rev. ed.; Jack J. Kraushaar and Robert A. Ristinien, Wiley 1988.

Other materials

State of the World 1995 or 1996 version; Lester R. Brown et al., Worldwatch Institute.

The Future of Energy Use, Robert Hill, Philip O'Keefe and Colin Snope

Lectures and Notes

11:00 am M-W-F in 1313 Sterling Hall.

Read the assigned material before lecture.

Useful notes concerning the physics concepts and ideas used in the course are available: Kinds of Energy , Kinetic Energy and Motion , Gravity ,Uniform circular motion and orbits, Escape Velocity

Homework

The completion of the homework extremely useful to you-- the student-- to monitor your understanding of the material and concepts and to gain confidence in the mathematical relation ships involved.

Hour Exams

Hour Exams will be given during the class period as noted in the syllabus.

Monday October 7

Friday December 13

The exams will be closed-book, but you will be allowed one 8 1/2 x 11-inch sheet of notes.

Term Paper

There will be a research paper due as noted below on the exam day (15 December). The paper should be about 10-15 pages of double-spaced type with appropriate figures and attribution, either or both a reference list and a reading list. The topic can be of your choice (examples) but it should be as quantitative as you can. A relatively detailed outline will be due on the 4th of November. Please come and talk to me, if you have questions or difficulties (the earlier the better!).

Final Exam

There will be no final exam. Your research paper is due by noon December 15th in my mailbox (or at my office)

Grading

The course grade will be based on evaluation of the following components:

• hour exams 40 points
• Research paper 45 points
• Class performance 15 points

Office Hours

My office is 4274 Chamberlin you may call or drop by at any time, but the mornings before class are most likely.

Complaints and Concerns

If you have a non-subject matter question or concern that cannot be resolved by me, contact Jean Buehlman, Instructional Program Manager (afternoons in 2520 Sterling Hall, 262-2629).

General Advice

There is no substitute for confronting and solving problems.



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Physics 115 Fall 1996

Syllabus

Problems to be handed in at the beginning of class as instructed.

Week	Date	Readings	Problems
1	M Sept 2 W Sept 4 F Sept 6	Labor Day Introduction Calculation Appendix A and B	Problem Set I
2	M Sept 9 W Sept 11 F Sept 13	Chapter 1: Forces and kinetic energy Potential Energy Gravity	Space waste
3	M Sept 16 W Sept 18 F Sept:20	Conservation of Energy Chemical Energy Problem Session (Group)	National use
4	M Sept 23 W Sept 25 F Sept 27	Chapter 10: Energy and biology Chapter 2: Fossile Fuels I Problem Session (Group)
5	M Sept 30 W Oct 2 F Oct 4	Chapter 3: Heat Engines Entropy and Efficiency Review and Problem Session
6	M Oct 7 W Oct 9 F Oct 11	HOUR EXAM: Electrical Machines and circuits Electricity and Magnetism
7	M Oct 14 W Oct 16 F Oct 18	Chapter 6: Energy Transport Chapter 8: Energy Storage Direct Conversion Techniques
8	M Oct 21 W Oct 23 F Oct 25	Electromagnetic Radiation Chapter 6: Solar Energy Solar Energy utilization
9	M Oct 28 W Oct 30 F Nov 1
10	M Nov 4 W Nov 6 F Nov 8
11	M Nov 11 W Nov 13 F Nov 15
12	M Nov 18 W Nov 20 F Nov 22
13	M Nov 25 W Nov 27 F Nov 29
14	M Dec 2 W Dec 4 F Dec 6
15	M Dec 9 W Dec 11 F Dec 13	The Future Review and problem session HOUR EXAM:





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Physics 115 Demonstrations Schedule

Fall 1996


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D. Carlsmith