PHYS 100 :: Physics Illinois :: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Midterm Results (11/8/2024)

The midterm results are now available in the course gradebook.

1) There is a slight scale according to the plot below. Only scores less than 77% were scaled.

2) If you click on the link in the gradebook, you can see which MC options you selected and which ones are correct. You'll receive your midterm problem packets back in discussion sections this week, so you can go over your midterm.

3) Midterm improvement bonus points are listed at the end of the "bonus" row in the course gradebook. The number of midterm improvement bonus points is how many % points higher you scored on your raw midterm score than your Quest 1-4 avg. Keep in mind that there are even more final improvement bonus points, so you can keep improving for the final!

 

Use the Piazza Messageboard (10/21/2024)

I just wanted to remind you that there is a Piazza messageboard for the course, where you can ask physics questions.  Currently, for the whole semester so far, there have been only 12 posts, so I want to make sure that everyone knows it's available.

For talking about physics, going to in-person office hours is still the best, because you can draw pictures and discuss math (and you get +1 bonus pt for attending).  However, if you need a hint to get started on a problem or if you have a conceptual question, Piazza can be a great resource.  We pay the Phys100 TAs to monitor Piazza and respond to questions, so please use it!

Link (also available on course website): https://piazza.com/illinois/fall2024/phys100

 

Sign up for Quest 1 (9/9/2024)

Hi all,

Quest #1 will take place next week.  It will be a 50-minute quiz/test that you will take at the Computer-Based Testing Facility (CBTF) on campus.  It will cover units 1 (kinematics) and 2 (1-D relative motion).  

Reserve your time: Please sign up now for a testing slot between Sunday 9/15 and Tuesday 9/19.  The slots run out, so please sign up ASAP.  You can see information about CBTF locations, their provided calculator, and how to sign up here: https://cbtf.illinois.edu/students

Practice Quest 1: You can see what the Quest format will be like by signing up for the Phys100 prairielearn class (https://us.prairielearn.com/) and opening Practice Quest 1.  There you can see the instructions, format, and what equation sheet you get.  You can try the Practice Quest multiple times, but I recommend that you study beforehand and treat it like a 50-minute test-like practice situation.

You can find more info about Quest 1 at the end of the Lecture 02 slides.  

See on on Friday,
Eric

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Some repeated info for students who just registered for the class:

 

Week 2 information (8/31/2024)

Hi Phys100 students,

It was good to see you all in the first lecture.  Here are some announcements for week 2 of the course:

Course website: https://courses.physics.illinois.edu/phys100/fa2024/
smartPhysics HW website: https://smart.physics.illinois.edu/

1)     In case you missed the prelecture/checkpoint #1 in smartPhysics, I reopened these assignments, so you can complete them by 9/13 for full credit.  Please go back and do them!

2)     Because it was the first class, I gave everyone credit for iClickers in Lecture #1.  We will start counting iClickers for credit in Lecture #2, so please get one by then (and check the batteries)!

3)     Reminders about what assignments are due in smartPhysics next week:

4)     Office hours will start next Tuesday, because of Labor Day (office hours schedule).  Receive +1 bonus point for attending when an instructor is there (don’t forget to ask about the bonus point!).

If you have any questions, ask a friend in class, your discussion TA/LA, or post it to Piazza.

See you next week,
Eric

 

Welcome to Phys100! - Start of Semester Q&A

Q: What are the required materials I need to buy?

A: Look to the Required Materials link on the sidebar.

Q: I see that we're required to buy the physical iClicker remote. Can I use the iClicker Cloud App instead?

A: No, only the physical iClicker remote works in PHYS100/211/212. The good news is that if you buy it once, you can use it for all your Illinois physics courses, and then you can resell it once you don't need it anymore. I suggest buying a used one online. Look to the iClicker Info link on the sidebar for more information.

 

Q: What should I do before my first class?

A: Read the Phys100 - week 1 to-do list for what to do before your first discussion section/lecture.

Q: Do we have any assignments due before the first lecture?

A: Yes! (They're listed in the Phys100 - week 1 to-do list.)

Q: I need departmental permission to register for the class. How do I get this?

A: You can get departmental registration permission through this link: https://queue.illinois.edu/q/queue/864

Q: There are no registration spots open for the lectures? Can I still get in the class?

A: Yes! There is an online lecture option (Phys100 - AOL - 11 AM to noon) that can be used when all the in-person lecture spots are taken. You will need to contact me to arrange the online lecture logistics (ekuo@illinois.edu).

Q: Calculus I is a co-requisite for this course. How much Calculus will I need to know?

A: There's no expectation that you'll know calculus coming into the course. There are lots of connections between calculus and physics, and we'll talk about the important ones in class. However, the homework and other problems don't require you to know calculus.

As we go through the semester, we'll sprinkle in more Calc I ideas as you learn them in math class. The two main ideas we will cover is that the derivative of a function is the slope of the graph and that the integral of a function is the area under the graph.

Q: Should I take Phys100? Is Phys100 required?

A: Phys100 is designed to help prepare you for success in Phys211 (calculus-based mechanics). For many majors, Phys211 is a required course.

Phys100 covers kinematics (position, velocity, acceleration) and dynamics (forces and Newton's laws), which covers the first of three midterm exams in Phys211. Phys211 also covers energy, momentum, rotation, oscillations, and fluids.

Phys100 is not a required course (though it may have been recommended by an advisor or your U of I physics placement test score). If you have taken physics in high school or if you feel confident in your ability to do well in Phys211, Phys100 might feel too slow, and you can speak with your academic advisor about going directly into Phys211 this semester or in the spring. But if you want to have more time learning the fundamentals of physics, Phys100 is a great way to get more practice at a slower pace.

If you are unsure whether Phys100 will be right for you, you can check out the course schedules for Phys100 and Phys211 on the course websites.
Phys100 schedule
Phys211 schedule

Q: What should I do if I get sick or have to miss class?

A: If you are sick, please stay home! Your first 3 lecture absences and 3 discussion absences are automatically excused (see course grading page). You do not have to do anything; these will automatically be excused at the end of the semester.

If you miss more classes than this for an excusable reason, you can click on the attendance policy link to see the process for submitting an excused absence request.

Related to public health: although masks are not required, I support any one who prefers to wear a mask in class.