Resources
There are a number of available resources to aid your physics learning.
There is much additional information on the course Desire2Learn site.
Click on the D2L link in the navigation bar above. Do
explore the site.
Books
The first resource is your text book. However, a single book is often
limited in the descriptions, methods, and examples that it has. Thus, you
are encouraged to seek alternate explanations and examples from other
books. The Andersen library has a
number
of physics books in the stacks, just do a keyword search for the subject
you're looking for.
Classmates
Your fellow students are a great source for learning. Another person
may
have a different way of looking at a problem that aids your understanding.
Also, by explaining a physics concept or problem to others, you gain
a better understanding of that topic.
Working together on problems is acceptable, but each person must do their
own work. Students must adhere to academic
integrity for all coursework.
The World Wide Web
There are many other Web sites with useful information (and even more
with
useless information!). If you find a site that you think would be helpful
to the class, e-mail it to me, and I will post it here.
- Periodic Table of the Elements
- Physics Web Virtual Laboratory. A collection of links
on all areas of physics. There are links to information sites as well as
simulations.
- Physics Central from the
American Physical Society contains a number of useful links and cool
features aimed at a general audience.
- Thin Lens Demo A Java applet
that's very helpful for understanding the three principal rays for lenses
and mirrors. It is available locally for faster downloading.
- Physics
Demos A well-organized set of Java applets and instructional
sites.
- Physics Virtual Lab A
fine collection of Java applets and demonstrations. Some of them are a
bit advanced for our course.
- Learn Physics Today!
A nice online physics tutorial, covering three key topics in our course:
mechanics, light and waves, and electricity. I found the quizzes to be a
bit cumbersome - sometimes it doesn't recognize the right answer unless
you type it in a very specific fashion.
- Physics :
Principles with Applications, Fifth Edition by Douglas C. Giancoli,
University of California, Berkeley. Although based on a more advanced
textbook than the one we use, this site has many good interactive quizzes
and example problems that you might find helpful.
- How Stuff Works This site
starts with the technology you're interested in and then explores the
science and underlying concepts.
- Stirling Engines
Lots of information about Stirling engines. Stirling engines offer the promise of heat
engines that produce very little or no pollution.
- How Things Work: The
Physics
of Everyday Life An interesting site with a question-and-answer
format.
Text only.
You may also find my list of Physics
Links a useful starting point.
Me
If you have questions or problems, please come see me, send me e-mail,
or call. See my schedule for
my office hours. Also, if my
door is open (which it usually is if I'm in) stop by.
People Who Help
Whitewater Society of
Physics Students (SPS) Physics Tutoring.
Writing Skills Center
Math Skills Center
Student Counseling Center
sahyun@uww.edu
Created by sahyun@uww.edu
Updated: May 29, 2021