Boston University PY106 - Physics II
Want to get a head start? 1-2 weeks before first class...
- Obtain a scientific calculator (NOT a mobile phone app) which has
sine,
cosine, exponential and their inverse functions. Any will do. For
example: TI-30Xa ($11 on Amazon) or Casio fx-115ES ($17 on Amazon).
- Math/Physics Prep
Packet
- Review Gravitation (see
Lecture Notes,
Gravitation
Video (7 minutes),
Gravitation Worksheet and see
Gravitation
Worksheet Solutions)
- From PY105, review vectors and trigonometry (see Math/Physics Prep
Packet), Newton's Laws, Conservation of Energy, Simple Harmonic
Motion. That's Ch. 4, 7, and
16 from
College Physics (OpenStax). If you want the "BU
feel" you can check out Ch. 3, 7, and 12 from
Essential Physics I (Duffy) or go over the
e-Book from PY105's Top Hat.
- Once you feel comfortable with PY105 content, if you want to get
a head start on this course, read Ch. 18 and 19
from College Physics (OpenStax). Again, if you want the
"BU-feel" of how we explain these concepts, you can check out Ch. 16 and 17 from
Essential Physics II (Duffy). But College
Physics is probably a better read to prepare as it's more "glitzy" with
pictures, etc.
- You can complement your reading with the associated
simulations (many of which are referenced in the text):
- A survey of physics via animation, a must watch:
Animation vs. Physics (16 min by Alan Becker,
2023)
- Context for college physics, a must watch:
Fun to Imagine with Richard Feynman (7:30 clip
on "Why?")
- Scale: Powers of
Ten with Morgan Freeman (10 minute clip)
Announcements and Frequently Asked Questions
- Check back here for information about Spring 2025
- 10.11.2024 -
How can I manage the pace of the course and do you have
suggestions for how to be successful and minimize stress?
This is a very good question, as the course is fast-paced, surveys a
lot of physics, and is
also more abstract than PY105. If you recently took PY105 (in Fall
semester studio), then this is a really good prepartion for the spring
semester, as it will be the same collaborative style. If you took
PY105 at some other time, or as lecture-format, then coming in
prepared (see above) is really advisable. As you read through the
syllabus, from last year, no matter how you look at it, the fact is this course is
fast-paced and we are expecting a lot from you.
The way to not get overwhelmed by the pace, is to work
towards a routine for yourself and follow it! We will certainly help
you achieve this, partly because we will be doing our best to build a
"we're all in this" community atmosphere, so you won't feel alone. We
will provide real-world applications (particularly in health and
medicine) so that you can see physics in action.
Finally, we will build into the schedule a full slate of
office hours and review sessions, and small group
extra help sessions. Our goal in teaching, and hopefully your goal in
learning, is that the course and all the structures we are building in
support you so that nobody is left behind.
- 10.11.2024 - If you have any questions, please e-mail
to: trunfio@bu.edu and please
put PY106 in the
subject heading. I will provide updates here with any FAQ's.
Paul Trunfio Homepage