PHYS 224 Spring 2018
Physics of Vibrations and Waves
Instructor Dr. Theodosia Gougousi Phone 410 4556874
Office hours Tuesday-Wednesday: 9:30-10:30 am. I am also available to talk to you for as long
as you need after class. If none of these times work, then please email me to set up an
appointment.
Course description (from the registrar)
This course emphasizes vibrations, wave motion and optics. Topics include mathematical
characterization of vibrations and waves, sound, superposition of standing waves, diffraction
and interference of light.
Prerequisite: PHYS 122.
I will assume that you have the Physics background provided by PHYS 121 and PHYS 122. We will
use concepts from these classes daily.
Corequisite: MATH 251.
I will assume that you have a working knowledge of single variable Calculus that includes
derivatives, formulas for algebraic and trigonometric functions, integration and computation of
areas, power series, Taylor series, and polar coordinates.
Course Overview
Although named introductory physics this course is not really a continuation of the first two
introductory physics courses. The course is heavily mathematical as it sets the foundation for
future upper level Physics courses. Understanding harmonic oscillations and wave motion is
fundamental for all physics majors. You will find these concepts in Quantum Mechanics, E&M,
Classical Mechanics, Solid State Physics etc.
Learning Objectives:
To be successful in the course by the end of the semester you should be able to.
1. describe harmonic motion, write and solve the differential equation that describes
oscillatory motion (free, damped and forced oscillators)
2. describe coupled oscillators and the normal modes of a system
3. describe wave motion, including standing and raveling waves, sound and light waves
4. understand the concept of superposition and apply it in electromagnetic waves
(interference, diffraction)
Textbooks
George C. King, Vibrations and Waves (main text).
Course grade
Homework: 15%
Reading quizzes (on blackboard): 6%
3 Midterms (non-cumulative): 18% each
Final (cumulative): 25%
In principle, everyone can get an A. I will not curve the grades but may change (lower) the limits
depending on the difficulty of the exams and homework
score > 90 : A
score > 80: B
score > 70: C
score > 60: D
score < 60 : F
Course management
I will use Blackboard to post course announcements, reading assignments and homework
assignments, and post grades.
Course policies
Reading assignments and quizzes
A weekly reading assignment will be posted on Blackboard every Friday by 4:00 pm. I will not be
able to cover every little part of the text book. I will try to cover the most difficult and important
points of each chapter. You are responsible for all the material in the chapter unless it has
specifically been excluded.
To ensure that you have completed the weekly reading assignment and studied the lecture
notes a Blackboard administered quiz will be made available the following Thursday after 1:00
pm and will remain on Blackboard for 24 hours. You will have to complete the quiz in one
seating and you will be given one hour to do so. The first quiz will be available on Thursday
February 1st at 1:00 pm until Friday, February 2nd at 1:00 pm. For the first quiz only, the questions
will cover the class syllabus and the first reading assignment. You can drop the lowest quiz score.
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Homework
This is a fast-paced course that requires a solid mathematics background. You should expect to
work hard outside the class. Do all the homework assignments. This is the only way to be
successful. As a bonus your final grade will depend 15% on the homework.
Homework will be assigned every Wednesday and it will be due at the beginning of the class the
following week. No late homework will be accepted for any reason. Solutions will be posted
immediately after class. It is to your advantage to do all the homework problems and though
tempting not to use the solutions that are available through various sources. This is the only way
to develop your problem-solving skills and be successful in the class. You can drop the lowest
homework score. This should take care of any illness, job and family related emergencies. You
can talk to your class mates regarding the homework assignments, but each should submit
his/her own original solutions. Copying someone else’s homework is cheating.
Homework will be graded for completeness and accuracy. In general, each part of a problem
will be worth 3 points and the points will be assigned as follows:
3: complete solution and correct results is reached
2: mostly correct solution: start with the correct assumption but did not reach the correct result;
1: Valiant efforts but there are issues with the logic and understanding
0: had no clue but thought I should write anything related even tangentially
Homework solutions should be neat and organized, including explanations of what and why you
are doing things (think partial credit!!!). Equations and results that are subsequently used and/or
referred to should be numbered. I will not grade sloppy solutions.
Cell phone use:
Please turn off your cell phone as soon as you get in class and keep your phone in your pocket.
You are welcome not to come to class; I will not hold it against you. But when you are in class
please refrain from checking email, texting or posting on Facebook.
Mathematica and programmable calculators
For the exams you will be expected to do algebra, trigonometry and calculus of the appropriate
level. This means that I would expect you to take simple derivatives and perform simple integrals
without a formula sheet. The best way to prepare is to take a similar attitude when doing
homework. You can use Mathematica as a reference tool (see “Schaum's Outline of
Mathematical Handbook of Formulas and Tables”) but I expect you to be able to carry out all
the calculations manually (with the exception of complicated integrals).
Exams
Exam solutions should be neat and organized, including explanations of what and why you are
doing things (think partial credit!!!). Equations and results that are subsequently used and/or
referred to should be numbered. I will not grade sloppy solutions.
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All the exams are closed book. You will be given a formula sheet for each exam. Unless
otherwise told, the use of a calculator or any form of an electronic device during exams or
quizzes is not allowed. You must turn off your cell phone during class and the exams. If you are
caught using a cell phone during an exam you will asked to turn in your paper.
Midterm
There is going to be three midterm exams at dates to be announced. Make up exams will be
given only if you miss the exam for a documented medical or legal problem or for a death in
your immediate family. The instructor must be notified within 24 hours of the missed exam. Make
up exams maybe oral or written.
Final Exam
Date: FRI, MAY 18 1:00-3:00 PM
The final exam will be cumulative. No make-up exam will be given for the final (see note on
incompletes below).
Incompletes
Please read carefully the catalog statement on acceptable grounds for incompletes. In this
course, incompletes are given only if you miss the final exam due to a documented medical or
legal problem or for a death in your immediate family. According to the catalog you must be
doing “qualitatively satisfactory” work in order to qualify for an incomplete. For this course it
means that your class average is at least a C.
General guidelines.
To be successful in the course you should be able to handle the mathematical aspect with ease.
If you are unsure about a concept or technique try to review it from your old textbook, notes or
see me for help. Ignoring a weakness will come back to haunt you. Come to class prepared and
ready to ask questions. I will not be able to cover every little topic but will focus on the most
important points of each chapter.
Do not start on the homework the day before it is due. Giving yourself ample time to think about
the problems and digest the material is important. Often you will catch yourself finding the
solution to a “difficult” problem after thinking about it for some time, setting it aside and going
back at it with a new approach. I do not discourage you from working in groups; however, to
benefit the most you should go to your group’s meeting prepared. Discuss with your classmates
the merits of the various approaches to solve a problem and make sure that you understand
why you are following the approach you have chosen. Remember that during exams you will
not be able to bounce ideas off each other. If uncertain on how to get started on a problem
go through the reading materials carefully. You will most certainly find hints to get you going. The
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best way to prepare for an exam is to go over the lecture notes and homework problems then
attempt a few extra ones from the compilation at the end of each chapter.
Academic Integrity
By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in
UMBC's scholarly community in which everyone's academic work and behavior are held to the
highest standards of honesty. Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and helping others to commit
these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty, and they are wrong. Academic misconduct
could result in disciplinary action that may include, but is not limited to, suspension or dismissal.
To read the full Student Academic Conduct Policy, consult the UMBC Student Handbook, the
Faculty Handbook, or the UMBC Policies section of the UMBC Director.
Student Disability Services (SDS)
UMBC is committed to eliminating discriminatory obstacles that may disadvantage students
based on disability. Services for students with disabilities are provided for all students qualified
under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the ADAAA of 2009, and Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act who request and are eligible for accommodations. The Office of Student
Disability Services (SDS) is the UMBC department designated to coordinate accommodations
that would allow students to have equal access and inclusion in all courses, programs, and
activities at the University.
If you have a documented disability and need to request academic accommodations, please
refer to the SDS website at sds.umbc.edu for registration information and to begin the process, or
alternatively you may visit the SDS office in the Math/Psychology Building, Room 212. For
questions or concerns, you may contact us through email at [email protected] or phone
(410) 455-2459.
If you require accommodations for this class, make an appointment to meet with me to discuss
your SDS-approved accommodations.
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