Instructor: Tony DiMauro
Office: P236
Email: tdimauro@gmail.com
Office Hrs:

Dates: January 2018 to May 2018
Textbook: OpenStax University Physics Vol 2
A Student's Guide to Maxwell's Equations, Fleisch


Grades
Expectations and Outcomes
Tests Makeup

updated: Friday, December 22, 2017 9:43 AM

I am updating this site for use in 2018

Physics 202 Class Requirements


12 of 12 Homework Assignments

10 pts. each (120 pts)


3 Unit Tests

120 pts. each  (360 pts ) (75 minutes)
Test dates are established below. Please make personal arrangements accordingly.



Comprehensive Test

120 pts.  (75 minutes)
I will drop the lowest grade from ALL 4 tests.


Total Class Points - 480

Past Announcements

Physics 196 Test 1 Analysis

Basic Problems: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,11,12,14,15,16,18 -- Total time: 50 min
Medium Problems: 8,10,13,17,19-- Total time: 30 min
DRS Problem: 20 -- Total time: 15 min

I gave everyone 95 minutes on Thursday and 15 minutes on Tuesday. The reason I gave the extra 15 minutes is to allow yu to gather your thoughts and try to finish 3 or 4 basic problems, 2 medium problems or the DRS problem.

I would agree that the test was long. No doubt. But even so, the average should have still been higher that it was. You can argue that you could not complete some problems because of the time constraint. OK, so how many problems could not be done in the time allotted?

Let's break it down. How about if you did not do problem #13? That was a medium problem worth 5 points. How about problem #10 with all the Gaussian diagrams to complete worth 10 points? And, problem #17, the one with two spheres at the same potential worth 10 points? And, let's say you only got the diagram done on the DRS. This would have saved you ~25 minutes. So, 35 total points were left unfinished.

The scores for an average student should have been between 60-75 points! For a well-prepared student, the scores should have been between 75-90 points. For an A student your scores should have been near 90-105.

Why didn't everyone get at least 67 points? Why shouldn't 67 points be the lowest score in the class? There was certainly enough time to correctly complete 67 points in 80 minutes! There were ~70 basic points on the test. If you got less than 70 points, time was NOT a constraint. But rather, preparation for the test was the restraint.

If you scored 75-80 points, time was a constraint. That's why I wanted to give the extra 15 minutes to get more points. Look!

To get an A- on the test you need to get ~94 test pts + my 8 FP = 102 pts
To get an B- on the test you need to get ~75 test pts + my 8 FP = 84 pts
To get an C on the test you need to get ~67 test pts + my 5 FP = 72 pts
To get an D on the test you need to get ~50 test pts + my 5 FP = 54 pts

Next test think ahead, use strategery. You know your study habits and your abilities. Aim for 70 points. In other words you can skip 50 points! Oh my goodness! You could forget doing most medium problems and the DRS problem! And, still get a B- in the class. What a great idea. And, of course, everyone should be completing the homework and getting all the points. Those points add up and allow for more cushion. Hmmm. . .did you think this through?

My strategy for the next test is to get chapters 27 and 28 out of the way. Your next test will mostly cover concepts and problems from chapters 29 and 30. We will do more problems in class for the next few lectures. Be there. This is your chance to talk to your classmates. Everyone should be working in a study group.

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