Syllabus: Physics: Introductory: Calculus-Based: PHYS 195 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers A; PHYS 196 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers B
Semester: 2026: Spring / Summer / Fall
Instructor: David Jeffery

Caveat lector: This syllabus might need some adjustments in the course of this semester.

Items:

  1. EOF

    For office hours for summer semesters, see below item Daily Routine.

    2. EOF
  3. Catalog Description:
    1. PHYS 195 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers A: Calculus-based lecture in kinematics (Ch01--04), forces, particle dynamics (Ch05--07,Ch13), work and energy (Ch08,Ch13), momentum and collisions (Ch09), angular momentum and rotations (Ch10--11), elasticity (Ch12) and oscillations (Ch15--17), fluids (Ch14), and thermophysics (Ch18--21).
    2. PHYS 196 Physics for Scientists and Engineers B: Calculus-based lecture in
      waves and sound (p196_vol_01_16--p196_vol_01_17),
      electrostatics (p196_vol_02_05--p196_vol_02_08),
      magnetism (p196_vol_02_11--p196_vol_02_14),
      DC (p196_vol_02_09--p196_vol_02_10) and AC (p196_vol_02_15) circuits,
      electromagnetic waves (p196_vol_02_16),
      geometric (p196_vol_03_01--p196_vol_03_02), and physical (p196_vol_03_03--p196_vol_03_04) optics,
      quanta (p196_vol_03_06--p196_vol_03_07),
      atoms (p196_vol_03_08),
      relativity (p196_vol_03_05),
      nuclei (p196_vol_03_10),
      and elementary particles (p196_vol_03_11).
    3. Note the catalog topics must be covered in the course by UNLV policy.
  4. Library: See UNLV Library and also UNLV Library Search. There are NO library resources and NO specific external information resources recommended for this course---except the course course textbook: see below.
  5. Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI can be used as an alternative source of information, but remember it CANNOT be a super-reliable source of information. But there is to be NO use for solving particular problems or quizzes/exams. What you need to do for preparing for exams and all of scientific/engineering life is to develop the skills to do a problem on your own OR by engaging, roughly speaking, in the Socratic method with someone else including the instructor and/or study friends.
  6. Course Website / Extended Syllabus: None so far for this course.
  7. Course Textbook:
    1. OpenStax: University Physics: Volume 1: pdf.
    2. OpenStax: University Physics: Volume 2: pdf.
    3. OpenStax: University Physics: Volume 3: pdf.
    4. The textbook is free online and can be found by googling "OpenStax University Physics Volumes 1, 2, 3".
    5. Homeworks: There is a homework for every chapter of the Textbook, but only some will be handed and only some full-answer questions will be marked. A full-answer question needs few or no words---unless a word answer is asked for---and does NOT need to be lengthy, but it does have to be detailed enough that it is convincing to yourself, the instructor, the grader, and your fellow students. The multiple-choice questions will NOT be marked, but some will occur on exams, and so you should always answer them as if you were writing exam and had to pull the answer out of memory or by deduction.

    6. Textbook Chapters 195:
      1. Ch01: Units and Measurement: p. 1--42: Homework 1, Solutions 1, Notes 1.
        1. Relativity file: light_speed_earth_moon.html
        2. Relativity file: relativity_light.html.
        3. Physics file: physics_branches.html.
        4. Derived units examples. But you need physical constants to relate quantities with incompatible units in formulae.
      2. Ch02: Vectors: p. 43--98: Homework 2, Solutions 2, Notes 2.
        1. Physics file: vector_field.html.
        2. Physics file: vector_field_field_lines.html.
      3. Ch03: Motion Along a Straight Line: p. 99--148: Homework 3, Solutions 3, Notes 3.
        1. For the thrill of it all, see the video Alien Abduction gravitron ride at Bluegrass Fair Lexington (June 19th, 2021) | 2:14.
        2. Galileo's "falling bodies" experiment re-created at Pisa | 4:02.
        3. Hammer and feather drop on moon | 0:49. Note the acceleration due to gravity on the Moon is ∼ 1/6 of that on Earth's. More exactly it is 1.622 m/s**2 = (0.1654 times g_0 = 9.80665 m/s**2). So free fall times are longer on on the Moon.
      4. Ch04: Motion in Two and Three Dimensions: p. 149--194: Homework 4, Solutions 4, Notes 4.
        1. Mechanics file: center_of_mass_fosbury_flop.html: Parabolic trajectory videos.
        2. Physics file: physical_law_solution.html: For projectile motion animation.
      5. Ch05: Newton's Laws of Motion: p. 195--250: Homework 5, Solutions 5, Notes 5.
        1. Relativity file: frame_reference_spacetime.html.
        2. Mechanics file: frame_inertial_free_fall.html.
        3. Mechanics file: tidal_force.html.
        4. Mechanics file: tide_earth.html.
        5. Earth file: earth_oblate_spheroid.html.
        6. Mechanics file: frame_rotating.html.
        7. Mechanics file: coriolis_force.html.
        8. Mechanics file: pendulum_foucault.html.
        9. Mechanics file: frame_hierarchy_astro.html.
        10. Cosmology file: expanding_universe.html.
        11. Mechanics file: center_of_mass_1d.html.
        12. Mechanics file: center_of_mass_hanging.html.
        13. Mechanics file: center_of_mass_balancing_bird.html.
        14. Mechanics file: stability_mechanical.html.
        15. Mechanics file: center_of_mass_fosbury_flop.html: Parabolic trajectory videos.
        16. Alien Abduction gravitron ride at Bluegrass Fair Lexington (June 19th, 2021) | 2:14: Once the door closes, there is no escape.
      6. Ch06: Applications of Newton's Laws: p. 251--314: Homework 6, Solutions 6, Notes 6.
        1. File:Sinh cosh tanh.svg.
        2. Table of friction coefficients.
        3. Homework 6: Example problems explicated in class.
      7. Ch07: Work and Kinetic Energy: p. 315--346: Homework 7, Solutions 7, Notes 7.
      8. Exam 1 Solutions
      9. Ch08: Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy: p. 347--384: Homework 8, Solutions 8, Notes 8.
        1. File:Simple Harmonic Motion Orbit.gif.
      10. Ch09: Linear Momentum and Collisions: p. 385--460: Homework 9, Solutions 9, Notes 9.
        1. When galaxies collide! | 1:36: An example of an appoximate ghost solution collision.
      11. Ch10: Fixed-Axis Rotation: p. 461--526: Homework 10, Solutions 10, Notes 10.
        1. Bicycle Wheel with gyroscope precession | 0:26: Demontration of how tricky rotation with multiple axes and unfixed axes is even though it is very common.
        2. Gyroscopic Precession | 3:48: Longer discussion of the precession of a bicycle wheel which is sort example gyroscope.
        3. OpenStax: Angular Momentum V2: Physics Concept Trailer: Figure skater spins | 1:15 .
      12. Ch11: Angular Momentum: p. 527--564: Homework 11, Solutions 11, Notes 11.
        1. Kai James, 2025, "How was the wheel invented? Computer simulations reveal the unlikely birth of a world-changing technology nearly 6,000 years ago".
        2. OpenStax: Angular Momentum V2: Physics Concept Trailer: Figure skater spins | 1:15 .
        3. Spinning Wheel on Spinning Chair | 1:29: A demonstration of the conservation of angular momentum along z axis when there is zero z torque.
        4. Bicycle Wheel with gyroscope precession | 0:26: Demontration of how tricky rotation with multiple axes and unfixed axes is even though it is very common.
        5. Gyroscopic Precession | 3:48: Longer discussion of the precession of a bicycle wheel which is a sort of example gyroscope.
      13. Ch12: Static Equilibrium and Elasticity: p. 565--610: Homework 12, Solutions 12, Notes 12.
      14. Ch13: Gravitation: p. 611--664: Homework 13, Solutions 13, Notes 13.
        1. File:Solid Angle, 1 Steradian.svg: Solid angle explicated.
        2. Orbit file: orbit_elliptical_explication.html.
        3. Orbit file: orbit_videos.html.
        4. Moon file: moon_videos.html.
        5. Moon formation file: moon_formation_evolution_videos.html.
        6. Galaxies file: galaxy_videos.html.
      15. Ch14: Fluid Mechanics: p. 665--712: Homework 14, Solutions 14, Notes 14.
        1. Thermodynamics file: phases_major.html.
        2. Thermodynamics file: phase_diagram_water.html.
        3. Thermodynamics file: co2_ice.html.
      16. Ch15: Oscillations: p. 723--766: Homework 15, Solutions 15, Notes 15.
        1. Mechanics file: simple_harmonic_oscillator.html.
        2. Matthew Schwartz: Lecture 2: Driven oscillators.
        3. Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse "Gallopin' Gertie" | 5:56: The famous collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge 1940.
      17. Ch16: Waves: p. 767--822: Homework 16, Solutions 16, Notes 16.
        1. IAL 6: Radiation: The introduction serves as a good intro to waves.
        2. Standing Waves Part I: Demonstration | 4:37.
      18. Exam 2 Solutions: Note the questions have been updated since the exam.
      19. Ch17: Sound: p. 823--868: Homework 17, Solutions 17, Notes 17.
        1. IAL 7: Spectra: Doppler Effect.
      20. Contents: Volume 2: Add 12 to cited pages to get the pdf page number.
      21. Ch18: Temperature and Heat: p. 5--66: Homework 18, Solutions 18, Notes 18.
        1. Thermodynamics file: gas_animation.html: Used to illustrate absolute zero T = 0 K.
        2. Thermodynamics file: free_expansion.html. Thermodynamics file:
        3. table_temperature_scale_comparison.html.
        4. Blackbody file: blackbody_spectra.html.
        5. Blackbody file: stefan_boltzmann_law_logarithmic.html.
        6. Thermodynamics file: maxwell_boltzmann_distribution_4.html.
      22. Ch19: The Kinetic Theory of Gases: p. 67--108: Homework 19, Solutions 19, Notes 19.
        1. Thermodynamics file: maxwell_boltzmann_distribution_4.html
      23. Ch20: The First Law of Thermodynamics: p. 109--142: Homework 20, Solutions 20, Notes 20.
        1. Thermodynamics file: heat_engine_schematic_4.html.
      24. Ch21: The Second Law of Thermodynamics: p. 135--178: Homework 21, Solutions 21, Notes 21.
        1. Thermodynamics file: heat_engine_schematic_4.html.

    7. Textbook Chapters 196:
      1. Ch16: Waves: p. 761--806: Homework 16, Solutions 16, Notes 16.
      2. Ch17: Sound: p. 807--862: Homework 17, Solutions 17, Notes 17.
      3. Ch05: Electric Charges and Fields: p. 169--218: Homework 205, Solutions 205, Notes 205.
        1. Astronomer file: james_clerk_maxwell.html.
        2. Electromagnetism file: maxwell_equations.html.
        3. Electromagnetic Radiation file: heinrich_hertz.html.
        4. Electromagnetism file: electric_charge_explication.html.
        5. Physics file: vector_field.html.
        6. Physics file: vector_field_field_lines.html.
        7. Electromagnetism file: em_field_lines.html.
      4. Ch06: Gauss's Law: p. 219--266: Homework 206, Solutions 206, Notes 206.
      5. Ch07: Electric Potential: p. 267--322: Homework 207, Solutions 207, Notes 207.
      6. Ch08: Capacitance: p. 323--360: Homework 208, Solutions 208, Notes 208.
      7. Ch09: Current and Resistance: p. 361--404: Homework 209, Solutions 209, Notes 209.
      8. Ch10: Dicrect-Current Circuits: p. 405--462: Homework 210, Solutions 210, Notes 210.
      9. Ch11: Magnetic Forces and Fields: p. 463--500: Homework 211, Solutions 211, Notes 211.
      10. Ch12: Sources of Magnetic Fields: p. 501--544: Homework 212, Solutions 212, Notes 212.
      11. Ch13: Electomagnetic Induction: p. 545--590: Homework 213, Solutions 213, Notes 213.
      12. Ch14: Inductance: p. 591--622: Homework 214, Solutions 214, Notes 214.
      13. Ch15: Alternating-Current Circuits: p. 623--656: Homework 215, Solutions 215, Notes 215.
      14. Ch16: Electromagnetic Waves: p. 657--698: Homework 216, Solutions 216, Notes 216.
      15. Ch01: The Nature of Light: p. 5--48: Homework 301, Solutions 301, Notes 301.
      16. Ch02: Geometrical Optics and Image Formation: p. 49--108: Homework 302, Solutions 302, Notes 302.
      17. Ch03: Interference: p. 109--134: Homework 303, Solutions 303, Notes 303.
      18. Ch04: Diffraction: p. 135--182: Homework 304, Solutions 304, Notes 304.
      19. Ch05: Relativity: p. 173--220: Homework 305, Solutions 305, Notes 305.
      20. Ch06: Photons and Matter Waves: p. 231--284: Homework 306, Solutions 306, Notes 306.
      21. Ch07: Quantum Mechanics: p. 285--336: Homework 307, Solutions 307, Notes 307.
      22. Ch08: Atomic Structure: p. 337--382: Homework 308, Solutions 308, Notes 308.
      23. Ch10: Nuclear Physics: p. 431--482: Homework 310, Solutions 310, Notes 310.
      24. Ch11: Particle Physics and Cosmology: p. 483--530: Homework 311, Solutions 311, Notes 311.

    Daily Routine: M--F, 8:00--9:40 am for class in BPB 106 and the rest of the day for study.
    1. Lecture: ∼ 50 minutes.
    2. Group Activity ∼ 5 minutes: People form groups and answer onscreen multiple-choice questions: Unmarked, but you better do it seriously.
    3. Break: ⪅ 10 minutes: Group activity plus break ≤ 15 minutes always.
    4. Lecture: ∼ 35 minutes.
    5. Office hours: 10:30--12:00 am in faculty office BPB 244, 2nd floor, far west small corridor, moving to BPB 250 if there is a crowd.
    6. Office hours: 1:00--4:00 pm in faculty office BPB 244, 2nd floor, far west small corridor, moving to BPB 250 if there is a crowd.
    7. Meetings can be by Zoom.
    8. Academic Success Center: Tutoring: They do include PHYS 195/196 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers A/B. See the 2026 Spring Schedule for the Engineering Subjects (EGR) Tutoring Lab.
  8. Required Readings: The relevant parts of the chapters of the textbook being lectured on.
  9. Homework Due Dates: To-be-handed-in homeworks are due at the BEGINNING of the class the day after the corresponding chapter of the textbook has been completed in class. Only some of the parts of the to-be-handed-in homeworks will be marked. NOT all homeworks are to be handed in---some are just study guides. Probably toward the end of the summer semester, there will be NO MORE to-be-handed-in homeworks. Late homeworks are allowed only in the case of extenuating circumstances.
  10. Evaluation:
    1. Homeworks: Tentatively, 10 %.
    2. Semester Exams: Tentatively, 4 semester exams (50 minutes) on Fridays each worth 15 % each for a total of 60 %.
      After the exams, we have a 10 minute break and then a 40 minute lecture.
    3. Final: Tentatively, 100 minutes on the last Friday, 30 %.
    Final grades are always set by instructor drawing grade lines by personal judgment in order to get a fair distribution on the 12-point scale: A,A-,B+,B,B-,C+,C,C-,D+,D,D-,F. However, before final grades, the instructor just uses satisfactory S for above 60 % and D+,D,D-,F for below.
  11. Exam Schedule Including Final Exam:
    EOF

  12. Student Learning Outcomes:
    1. Learn the topics included in the catalog description.
    2. Be able to apply those concepts in those topics to problems, and thereby solidify the concepts.
    3. There are more concepts to learn than can be tested. So it is NOT just what is on the exams, it's what you need to know for the rest of your professional careers.
    4. Learning requires multiple modes:
      1. Learning is by following the lecture in your mind and questioning/challenging it in your mind as much as you can. Asking the instructor questions too. It's hard over 50 minutes, let alone 100 minutes.
      2. Learning is by understanding notes (your own or the instructor's), NOT just relying on the textbook (which is the opposite of compact: it's verbose). The instructor's notes are their personalized mnemonics. If you want to rely on them, you should still make your own notes even if they are just written right on top of the instructor's notes.
      3. Learning by thinking and talking a subject. There's really no other way. Our neural networks, NOT AI's, need the workout.
      4. Learning is by spending ∼ 3 times more time on the course out of the lecture period than in it if at all possible. Going over the textbook, notes, concepts, homework problems, homework solutions.
    5. Have some fun with some of the most profound concepts of the universe.
  13. EOF
  14. EOF