Instructor:
Jim Remington
Office: 377 Willamette Phone: 346-5190
email: jim@uoxray.uoregon.edu
Office Hours: M 10-12, W 1-2, F 10-12 and by appointment
Course TA: TBA Office: email:
Class Meetings: MUWF 2:00-2:50pm, Room 110 Willamette. Tuesdays are reserved for labs, discussion and review sessions.
WEB SITE: http://www.uoxray.uoregon.edu/phys161
Course Description:
A practical course for non-science majors to introduce the concepts necessary to understand and work with energy (what it is), energy generation (transformation) and energy use. We will be mostly interested in the relationship of energy to our everyday lives (other than eating), the environmental consequences of global energy consumption, and what this means for future of our lifestyles. There is no question that major changes in our energy consumption habits will be forced upon us in our lifetimes. We will explore why this will happen and what some of the alternatives might be.
Fundamental issues of physics will be discussed with a minimum of mathematics (high school algebra at most). Some calculations will be required for homework and a few of the exam problems, so a standard calculator will be essential (scientific calculator not required but helpful).
Of the ten week term, approximately 5 weeks will be spent introducing and
developing a reasonably thorough understanding of energy: mechanics (physics
of motion), electricity and magnetism (most versatile form of energy) and
thermodynamics (movement of heat). We will learn about mechanical power based
on engines (heat, combustion, electrical or solar energy).
The sun is the ultimate energy source for world weather, and, as it turns out, for most of our present needs as well. These topics will be discussed in enough detail that we can apply the concepts to everyday life. Great emphasis will be placed on practical examples and in-class demonstrations. We will have at 2-3 "in-class" lab days to do practical experiments. For example, we will perform very simple experiments to measure the power output of the human body and the energy content of fossil fuels.
The last part of the term will deal with our energy lifestyles. We will study the source of and use of fossil fuels, generation of electricity and nuclear energy. Finally, the environmental consequences (air pollution, global warming) of our energy use will be discussed.
Text (required):
Energy, Its Use and the Environment
Roger A. Hinrichs and Merlin Kleinbach (Brooks/Cole, 3rd Ed., 2002).
Used copies of the second edition are available and will do as well.
Note: there are lots of great books out there! The 1970s brought a tremendous surge of interest in "alternative" or "off the grid" energy use. Part of this was due to a major crisis in petroleum supplies in the 1970s, beginning with the Arab oil embargo of 1973. The western world vigorously embraced energy conservation and alternative lifestyles. However, there was also a genuine concern for the so called "third world" countries; helping people to survive in a way that could be improved by modest use of modern technology (water transport, solar power). These bring out important and important social issues that will be discussed as time is available.
Exams and Projects
Two Written Midterm exams. One Final exam or Term Paper/Project
Exams: Written exams will be held in 110 Willamette. Exams will include conceptual questions (very short essays), multiple choice questions as well as some questions that will require calculations. All relevant formula and physical constants will be available during the exam. You will still need to know how to use the right formula!
Midterm I: Wednesday, April 23, (optional review session Tuesday, April 22)
Midterm II: Wednesday, May 28, (optional review session Tuesday, May 27)
OPTION 1: Term Research Paper or Project due Thursay, June 12.
OPTION 2: Final Exam Thursday, June 12, 15:15 rm 110 Willamette. Comprehensive
Grading:
Quizzes: 5%
Homework/labs: 25%
Midterm exams: 20% each (40% total)
Final Exam or Term Project: 30%.
| Week Beginning |
Reading | Topics covered |
| Mar 31 |
Ch. 1,2 | Introduction and Overview. Mechanics, position, velocity and acceleration, force laws. Energy of motion, momentum. |
| Apr 07 | Ch.2, Ch.3 | Work, power, conservation of energy, energy
conversion (conservation of energy). Heat as energy, heat engines. Focus: The automobile |
| Apr 14 | Ch. 4 | Thermodynamics, heat transfer, energy conversion efficiency |
| Apr 21 | Ch. 5 | Home energy conservation, insulation, heat transfer principles. Midterm I, Apr. 23 |
| Apri 28 |
Ch. 6 | Radiation, solar energy, Earth as solar engine. |
| May 05 | Ch. 7-8 | Fossil Fuels and Air pollution. Option 1 Project Proposal
due Friday May 9 |
| May 12 | Ch. 9 | Global Warming, Ozone Depletion and Waste Heat. |
| May 19 |
Ch. 10-11. | Electricity and Magnetism: Intro to electricity, motors and generation
of electric energy. |
| May 26 |
Ch 13. |
Memorial Day May 26. Midterm II May 28 . May 30: Intro
to Nuclear Energy |
| June 3 |
Ch 13-14 |
Nuclear Energy generation, Nuclear Waste disposal,
Project Presentations |
Attendance:
Lectures will expand on the book with many examples and practical demonstrations,
so regular attendance and class participation will be essential.
Tuesdays will be devoted to in-class labs, in-class discussion and
review sessions (before exams).
Tuesday attendance is optional. Materials discussed or lab results will
be made available on the class web site.
Homework:
Homework and in-class lab work will be assigned and will be due in class one week later at the start of class. Late homework will not be accepted unless extensions are granted by the instructor. You may work on homework or lab results together, but each person is to write up the solutions separately. A grader will be assigned to the course and will also be available for questions and consultation.
Optional term paper or project.
The term paper or project, if you choose to
do one, will be a discussion of your research about some aspect our energy
consumption and its consequences that is of particular interest to you.
This could include practical demonstration of some principle, such as alternative
energy sources, or a focus on some action that might be taken to adapt to
the inevitable changes that the future will bring.
A project proposal is due May 9 and consent
of instructor is required.
The project must be relevant to and must make reference to material
covered in this course.
A complete bibliography (reference list) is required.
Suggested project/paper topics (not limited
to):
1) Home energy use. Effect of insulation (why
does EWEB pay you to insulate your house?), economics of solar heating, solar
home and garden (greenhouse) design. Inventory actual energy consumption (e.g.
electrical-where does the energy used in your home go?).
2) Alternative energy for alternative lifestyles. Solar cooking, "off the grid" home power (hydro, photovoltaic, biogas (methane) production for heating or cooking). If you are interested in alternative energy sources, what climates/locations might be most appropriate? For example: is wind-generated electricity a good idea in the Willamette Valley?
3) Energy use associated with transportation (walking, bikes, individual versus mass transportation), cost/efficiency issues, practicality (why does everyone drive in the US versus public transportation in Europe?). What can be done about the poor fuel efficiency of American automobiles?
4) Energy use in manufacture and working life. Did the computer result in a "paperless office"? How did changes in historical uses of energy impact people's lives? Consider the earliest machines, the impact of steam engines or the industrial revolution. What is in store for us in 20 years?
5) Environmental effects our dependence on energy at a societal level, e.g. dams (are they really that important?) vs. fisheries, global warming, greenhouse effect, environmental damage due to fossil fuel production/use. Consult with instructor.
6) Third World Energy Use. Investigate the efforts of various organizations to bring solar or water power to remote villages. Be sure to explore the social issues and consequences!
Extra credit will be given for
in-class project presentations during dead week. (June 4 and June 6).