Physics 1 introduces the fundamentals of university physics, and should be taken by all students planning to major or minor in physics.

The course focuses on using modelling and estimation to figure out the physics of complex real-world situations, on applying the mathematical concepts of vectors and vector fields, and on experimental skills. It is taught in small-group hands-on workshops and laboratories.

Syllabus: Mechanics, point-particle models, contact forces, rigid body models and rotation. Theory and practice of DC circuits and simple AC circuits. Thermal physics and heat transfer. Writing computer programs to numerically model dynamical situations, and to plot and fit data. Measuring and calculating uncertainties, interpreting uncertain data. Vectors and vector fields. Electrostatics, magnetostatics and induction.

Honours Pathway Option (HPO)

More advanced options are available in this course.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Construct and use appropriate physical models for complex, real-world physics problems in the fields of mechanics and thermal physics.
2. Quickly estimate order-of-magnitude values for a wide range of physical quantities.
3. Measure and calculate uncertainties, and interpret uncertain data.
4. Use computer programs to analyse data and to model complex physical systems.Become proficient with vectors and vector fields
5. Use vectors and vector fields to calculate electric and magnetic fields.
6. Construct and analyse DC and simple AC circuits

Research-Led Teaching

This course will teach you the practical skills needed to apply your physics knowledge to real-world problems. It uses teaching techniques developed by educational researchers to help you learn as effectively as possible. All lecturers are active researchers and will use many current research examples in their teaching.

Required Resources

You must buy and bring a laboratory notebook. This should be A4 in size. It should have at least a hard back cover so than you can write on it while walking around. It should be bound – not a folder. Otherwise anything will do – it does not need to have graph paper or anything fancy.

In the laboratories you must wear covered shoes (i.e. not sandals), to protect your feet from falling equipment. You do NOT need a lab coat for the physics labs.

Recommended Resources

We provide full video and written notes, so no textbook is necessary. However, we recommend the free open-source textbook https://openstaxcollege.org/textbooks/college-physics

There is a textbook from MIT about the Ninja-physics approach – you can find free copies at

http://ocw.mit.edu/resources/res-6-011-the-art-of-insight-in-science-and-engineering-mastering-complexity-fall-2014/online-textbook/

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Comments on written homework
• Answers to online homework
• In-person discussion of lab books and workshop activities
• Optional drop-in sessions

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

This is a “Flipped” class. What does this mean? In a traditional course, you go to class to hear the material, and then do problems at home by yourself. In a flipped class, this is reversed: you hear the material from videos at home and then come in to do problems in class.

Each week you should:

•  Log in to Wattle
•  Study the lessons for that week. You may need to watch some of the videos or read the notes several times to fully understand them. This should take around 2 hours.
• If you are confused about anything, or would like extra help, come to one of the optional drop-in sessions.
•  Do the online homework questions for that week. These are on-line and should take 1 hour. You will not be able to access the questions until you have completed the lessons.
•  If you have questions about any of the material, post them on the course Facebook page.
• Come to the workshop. Attendance is compulsory. We will assume that you’ve done the online material before coming.
• After the workshop, write-up your solution to the workshop questions, and submit them on Wattle.
• Come to the practical (starting in Week 2). Attendance is compulsory. After the practical, write up the answers to the practical questions and submit them on Wattle.

An Honours Pathway Option (HPO) is offered in this course. Students will be given additional more challenging problems to work on in each workshop, in addition to the normal work. If a good grade is achieved in six of these additional problems, HPO status will be awarded.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Week 1-7 Mechanics and Thermodynamics Modelling physical systems, contact and tension forces, rotation, angular momentum and moments of inertia, thermodynamics, harmonic oscillator, numerical solutions using Euler's Method and Python.	Weekly online lessons and quizzes. Weekly online homework
2	Weeks 7-12 Electricity and Magnetism Circuits, electric and magnetic fields, capacitors and inductors, vectors, Faraday's law. Uncertainties and data analysis.	Weekly online lessons and quizzes. Weekly written homework
3	Extension If you wish, you can sign up for the optional extension exercises. These can count as an ASE (for PhB students) or an Honours Pathway Option.	Additional weekly written homework

Tutorial Registration

You must sign up for a workshop and for a practical session. This can be done on Wattle.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Weekly Quiz	20 %	1,2,3,4,5,6
Weekly Homework	10 %	1,2,3,4,5,6
Written Exam	40 %	1,2,3,4,5,6
Weekly Laboratory Write-up	10 %	1,3,5,6
Practical Exam	20 %	1,2,3,4,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

You are required to attend one workshop and one practical each week, unless you have been granted exemption ahead of time due to illness or an unavoidable clash. Virtual workshops and labs are provided for those unable to come to campus. Labs in alternate weeks may be online, depending on COVID restrictions at the time.

Examination(s)

Refer to the examinations timetable and/or wattle for examination times and location.

Please note, that where a date range is used in the Assessment Summary in relation to exams, the due date and return date for mid-semester exams indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held; the due and return date for end of semester exams indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held and the date official end of Semester results are released on ISIS. Students should consult the course wattle site and the ANU final examination timetable to confirm the date, time and venue of the exam.

Assessment Task 1

Weekly Quiz

Complete this quiz on Wattle, after you have completed the lessons for that week. You will not be able to access it until you have completed the lessons. It will consist of multiple-choice and numerical questions. Answers will be automatically provided once the deadline has passed.

Students are expected to contribute on an on-going basis throughout the semester. Further details and due dates can be found on the Course Wattle site.

Assessment Task 2

Weekly Homework

Each week you will need to either do an online quiz based on the workshop questions, or write up and submit your work from the workshop. You will be given instruction there about what to submit. Your answers should be uploaded to Turnitin, via Wattle. You can either word process your work or hand-write it and then scan and upload a pdf file. Scanner apps can be found for mobile phones, or scanners used in the library. Your grades and feedback will typically be posted within a week of submission.

Students are expected to contribute on an on-going basis throughout the semester. Further details and due dates can be found on the Course Wattle site.

Assessment Task 3

Written Exam

A written exam will be held during the examination period after the end of semester. It is an open-book exam, which means that you can bring any amounts of notes or reference materials in with you. It will probably be a take-home exam: the exam will be posted on Wattle and you will write or word-process your answers, scan and upload them.

The date range in the Assessment Summary indicates the start of the end of semester exam period and the date official end of semester results are released on ISIS. Please check the ANU final Examination Timetable http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the date, time and location of the mid-semester exam.

Assessment Task 4

Weekly Laboratory Write-up

Each week you will need to either do a quiz based on your lab or write up and submit your work from the laboratory. You will be given instruction there about what to submit. Your answers should be uploaded to Turnitin, via Wattle. You can either word process your work or hand-write it and then scan and upload a pdf file. Scanner apps can be found for mobile phones, or scanners used in the library. Your grades and feedback will typically be posted within a week of submission.

Students are expected to contribute on an on-going basis throughout the semester. Further details and due dates can be found on the Course Wattle site.

Assessment Task 5

Practical Exam

A practical exam will be held in the physics laboratories during the examination period after the end of semester. You will be required to demonstrate that you can use electrical equipment, wire up circuits and write computer programs in Python. It is an open-book exam, which means you can bring any amount of notes or reference materials. In addition, you can bring your own laptop if you wish, instead of using the laboratory computers, and you can bring a USB memory stick with template programs.

Students unable to come to campus will be given an online take-home lab exam instead.

The date range in the Assessment Summary indicates the start of the end of semester exam period and the date official end of semester results are released on ISIS. Please check the ANU final Examination Timetable or the course Wattle site to confirm the date, time and location of the mid-semester exam.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

All work should be submitted electronically.

Late Submission

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Tutors will mark the homework and post feedback and comments using TurnItIn. This will typically be done within a week.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Weekly homework cannot normally be resubmitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students