Unit Outline

This subject aims to provide students with an understanding of basic physical concepts in classical mechanics. Understanding of motion, force, energy and momentum is instrumental to the study of other key areas of physics, such as: mechanics, electric and magnetic fields, waves, atoms and nuclei. This unit also aids students in analysing and synthesising information, problem solving and scientific experimentation. Students who successfully complete Introductory Physics will qualify for entry into units or degree programs at the University of Tasmania which have pre-tertiary Physics (PHY415115) or equivalent as a prerequisite, including first year units Physics 1A (KYA101) and Physics 1B (KYA102).

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Convey the fundamental laws and principles of classical physics through worked examples, practical demonstrations and experiments.
2.	Solve problems in classical mechanics by applying suitable formulae, vectors, graphs and diagrams.
3.	Use experimental techniques and analyse data to confirm laws of classical mechanics and make predictions.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	KYA004 Physics Foundation Unit

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Experiment	Refer to Assessment Description	10 %	LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Demonstrations	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Assignments	Refer to Assessment Description	30 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 4:	Final Test	Refer to Assessment Description	40 %	LO1, LO2

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Experiment

Task Description:

Students will conduct an experiment, analyse results and write up a report.

The experiment should take 4 hours to set up, collect data and analyse results. The experiment report should be 3-5 pages long.

In the experiment, students may manipulate experimental conditions to measure an estimate of a physical quantity (such as coefficient of friction or moment of inertia) or design an experiment to test a prediction (such as the length of a bungee cord needed for successful bungee drop of an egg or a ball).

Students should conduct the experiment in the second half of the semester.

There will be a practical day in the physics laboratories on Sandy Bay campus for internal students. Distance students can, with help from teaching staff, design and perform their own at-home experiment.

This report is due the final week of the semester.

Task Length:

3-5 page experiment report.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Select and operate common measuring equipment to gather information	LO3
2	Predict motion of an object using laws of physics, and perform an experiment to assess the prediction.	LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Demonstrations

Task Description:

Students are expected to independently conduct and record demonstrations of the concepts covered in lectures, analyse results using tracking software (available on MyLO) and present their observations to the classmates via MyLO discussion boards. Demonstrations can be performed using common household items. For the demonstrations, students can use ideas suggested by the lecturer or design their own. Classmates are encouraged to discuss ideas, experimental techniques, observations and analyses.

Each demonstration should take around two hours to set up, perform, analyse and report in a discussion post. A discussion post should contain 200-300 words and a few graphs or images from the tracking software.

There are five suggested topics for demonstrations, which follow the topics covered in lectures. Students are expected to select four and for each demonstrate a principle covered in that topic.

Each demonstration is worth 5% of the total grade. If five demonstrations are submitted, the four demonstrations with the best marks will count towards the final grade.

These are the five topics:
D1 – graphs of motion
D2 – horizontal projectile versus free fall
D3 – blocks on an inclined plane
D4 – impulse and linear momentum
D5 – spheres and cylinders on an inclined plane

In a 6-week delivery of the unit (summer school), demonstrations are due weekly, starting in week 2.
In a 13-week delivery (semester 1 or 2) demonstrations are due fortnightly, starting in week 3.

Task Length:

Four 200 – 300 word illustrated (1 – 3 Figures) discussion posts.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate a concept in classical mechanics	LO1, LO3
2	Analyse experimental data using suitable software	LO3
3	Explain experimental observations using laws of physics	LO1

Assessment Task 3: Assignments

Task Description:

Assignments contain problems related to the five topics of study. Students are expected to identify and communicate physics concepts, formulate solution strategies, and communicate answers through written descriptions, equations, graphs, and diagrams using appropriate symbols, notation, and vocabulary.

An assignment requires solving 5-9 set problems. Each assignment should be approximately 4-6 handwritten pages in length, containing appropriate graphs and diagrams, about 15-20 mathematical expressions, and brief explanatory text.

Five assignments are issued, of which students are expected to submit four. The four assignments with the highest marks count towards the final grade.

Assignments will contain problems from the following topics:
A1 - vectors, graphs and motion in 1D
A2 - projectile motion
A3 - Newton's laws
A4 - energy, work, power and linear momentum
A5 - circular motion

In a 6-week delivery of the unit (summer school), assignments are due weekly, starting in week 2.
In a 13-week delivery (semester 1 or 2) assignments are due fortnightly, starting in week 2.

Task Length:

Four 4 – 6 page assignments, each involving solutions to 5 – 10 prescribed problems.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain and/or predict motion of objects by applying laws of physics.	LO1, LO2
2	Use graphs, diagrams, and equations to describe motion of objects.	LO1, LO2
3	Apply appropriate formulae and solve mathematical equations.	LO2

Assessment Task 4: Final Test

Task Description:

The final test is a two-hour long, invigilated in-class test, in the final week of semester. Students are assessed on all the material covered during the unit. The test will contain four to five questions; students are expected to provide 6-10 handwritten pages of explanations, calculations, graphs and diagrams.

Task Length:

2 hours long invigilated test, solving 4-5 prescribed problems.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain and/or predict motion of objects by applying laws of physics.	LO1, LO2
2	Use graphs, vectors, diagrams, and equations to describe motion of objects.	LO1, LO2
3	Apply appropriate formulae and solve mathematical equations.	LO2

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.