The Physics of Superheroes: 1015; CRN: 44215; Fall 2020
I. Contact Information
I. Contact Information
Instructor: Dr. David McGraw Telephone: 318–342–1944 e–mail: [email protected] Office: Hanna 343 Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm; Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 12 Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. When I am not in class or lab, I am generally on the third floor of Hanna Hall. Drop in visits are welcome. E- mails are the best way to get in touch with me. This class is online. If possible, however, make an appointment to see me so that I am certain to be available. Please note that on some occasions, I may be absent during my office hours due to departmental, college, or university meetings, illnesses, etc. I will attempt to provide you with plenty of notice if I will not be available during my office hours. Furthermore, I will provide you with alternate days and times that I will be available to meet with you.
Time and Location: This class is 100% Online.
II. Course Prerequisites / Co–requisites
None.
III. Course Description
By the end of this course one will have been exposed to the key concepts in an introductory physics class along with a small amount of quantum mechanics and solid–state physics. By examining the physical principles underlying certain comic–book adventures, one will, at the same time, gain an understanding of the mechanisms behind many real–world applications, from televisions to telephones to stellar nucleosynthesis of the elements. Cannot be used to satisfy major or minor requirements.
IV. Course Objectives and Outcomes
The student will apply:
Scientific reasoning skills in the context of comic–book adventures.
The laws and principles of Mechanics in the context of comic–book adventures.
The laws and principles of Energy–Heat and Light in the context of comic– book adventures.
The laws and principles of Modern Physics in the context of comic–book adventures.
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V. Course Topics
Unit 1 Learning Objectives
The student will apply the concepts of Motion, Forces, Newton’s Law of Gravity, Impulse, Momentum, Friction, Drag, Sound, Properties of Matter, Fluid Mechanics, Centripetal Acceleration, Torque and Rotation, Angular Momentum, and Simple Harmonic Motion in order to:
Determine the initial velocity Superman would need to leap a tall building.
Determine the gravitational force and field of the home planet of Superman.
Determine how large a force is supplied by Spider–Man’s webbing when stopping the falling Gwen Stacy (Peter Parker’s girlfriend) and thus determine the true cause of her death.
Determine if Flash is able to maintain traction to actually run up the vertical side of a building.
Explain why miniaturization (i.e. Ant–Man) is physically impossible.
Determine the strength of Aquaman’s skin.
Determine if Spider–Man’s webbing is strong enough to support his own weight, the weight of any falling victim, or innocent bystander.
Determine if Ant–Man can generate enough strength, by way of levers, to punch his way out of a paper bag.
Explain how Whirlwind is able to fight Giant–Man by spinning very fast.
Determine the time it takes Spider–Man to swing back and forth on his webbing.
Explain why Flash creates a sonic boom whenever he runs faster than the speed of sound.
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Unit 2 Learning Objectives
The student will apply the concepts of Law of Conservation of Energy, Three Laws of Thermodynamics, Conduction and Convection, Phase Transitions, Electrostatics, Electric Currents, Ampere’s Law, Magnetism and Faraday’s Law, and Electromagnetism and Light in order to:
Determine why and how frequently Flash must eat.
Apply the First Law of Thermodynamics to determine why a net upward force helps Tiny Titan ride on air currents.
Explain why Iceman’s ice slides would crumble if extended too far.
Determine if Melter’s weapon in Iron Man comics used the same principle underlying a microwave oven.
Explain why Max Dillon was able to hurl lethal bolts of electricity.
Explain why Electro’s lightning bolt is pulled toward a chair, metal or not, if once it reaches the chair there is nowhere for the electrical current to go.
Determine if Superboy #1 (a.k.a. Teen of Steel) is able to conquer the “Smash and Grab Gang” army of tanks with a locomotive, a dynamo, and a few miles of wire.
Explain why Magneto, the mutant master of magnetism, could hurl missiles at super heroes and deflect magnetic objects, yet would be powerless against a wooden baseball bat.
Explain why Xavier’s evil step–brother, the Juggernaut; Magneto; and other farsighted X–Men foes wear a metal helmet in the presence of Professor X or Saturn Girl.
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Unit 3 Learning Objectives
The student will apply the concepts of Special Relativity, Atomic Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Tunneling Phenomena, Solid–State Physics, and Material Science in order to:
Explain why the micro–world of Doctor Doom cannot exist.
Explain why Superman cannot change history.
Determine if the issues of the Justice League of America that describe the meeting of the Silver and Golden Age (e.g. parallel worlds) heroes is really far–fetched.
Determine how likely Kitty Pryde of the X–men will tunnel his way through a wall compared to an electron tunneling its way through the same wall.
Explain how the application of tiny transistors within Iron Man’s armor could increase his power tremendously.
Explain how Iron Man is able to successfully fend off the Mandarin, the Crimson Dynamo, and Titanium Man.
Explain why the Invisible Woman is not blind.
Explain what keeps the Justice League of America’s uniforms intact in DC comics.
Determine the composition of Wonder Woman’s Amazonian bracelets in order to deflect a barrage of bullets.
VI. Instructional Methods and Activities
Most class periods will involve lectures interspersed with short discussions. Some activities will involve simulations that I will run on the computer and you can view on the screen at the front of the classroom. On some occasions, I will perform demonstrations with equipment at the front of the classroom.
Moodle
Materials such as class notes, worksheets, daily homework assignments, homework and exam scores, links to simulations, and other miscellaneous announcements for this course will be posted on Moodle. Please disregard the ‘Course Total’ percent score at the bottom of your grade list. It is NOT accurate.
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VII. Evaluation and Grade Assignment
Two (2) exams will be given during the semester. The Second exam will be the final exam. Homework questions will be submitted by e-mails to the instructor. You will complete these before each class period. Each exam and your homework average will be normalized on a 100 point scale. Each exam and your homework average will be worth 33% of your overall grade.
*Grading Scale: • 90 ≤ A ≤ 100 • 80 ≤ B < 90 • 70 ≤ C < 80 • 60 ≤ D < 70 • F < 60
*This grading scale may be modified at the discretion of the Instructor.
Mid–term Grades
Undergraduate mid–term grades will be posted on–line for students to view via Banner for the Fall and Spring semesters. Mid–term grades will not be posted for summer and intersession terms. Mid–term grades indicate a student’s status at mid–semester only and do not indicate the final performance outcome of a student. For the Fall 2016 semester, mid–term grades will be posted from Thursday, October 8th through Wednesday, October 12th at 3:00 p.m.
VIII. Class Policies and Procedures
At a minimum, all policies stated in the current ULM Student Policy Manual & Organizational Handbook should be followed (see www.ulm.edu/studentpolicy/). Additional class policies include:
A. Textbook(s) and Materials: The Physics of Superheroes, 2nd edition by James Kakalios.
Minimum Technology Skills
Students must be able to navigate the internet, open and print pdf and png files, and run simulations on a computer. This may include downloading software, such as Java or Flash, to open files and run applications.
B. Attendance Policy: The current ULM Student Policy Manual states the following:
Any student who is not present for at least 75% of the scheduled class sessions in any course may receive a grade of “W” if this condition occurs prior to the last day to drop a course or a grade of “F” after that date.
Any University–related activity requiring an absence from class will count as an absence when determining if a student has attended 75% of class meetings.
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Therefore, you may miss a total of seven (7) class meetings and still meet the absence requirements. The eighth (8th) absence will require that you drop (i.e. “W”) or receive an “F” for the course. There is no such thing as an “Excused Absence”. An absence is an absence is an absence. If you are not present for a particular class, no matter the circumstances, then you are considered absent for that day. You will be considered absent for a class if you arrive more than 15 minutes late for that specific class period.
C. Make–up Policy: If you miss an exam then you must contact me within 24 hours of the missed exam. If you do not contact me within this time frame then you will receive a zero (0) on that exam. If the absence is deemed justified then a make–up exam at a prearranged time set by the Instructor may be considered. Any and all make–up exams must be completed by the next exam date. Otherwise, a grade of zero (0) will be the result for that exam. If you do not complete a homework assignment, and believe a make–up assignment is justified, then you must contact me within 48 hours from the due date of the missed assignment. At this point in time we can discuss any options for a make–up assignment. Otherwise, no make–up is possible and a grade of zero (0) will be the result for that homework assignment.
D. Academic Integrity: Faculty and students must observe the ULM published policy on Cheating and Plagiarism (see the current ULM Student Policy Manual -- www.ulm.edu/studentpolicy/).
E. Course Evaluation Policy: At a minimum, students are expected to complete the on–line course evaluation. However, the course evaluations are not available during summer and intersession terms.
F. Student Services: Information about ULM student services, such as Student Success Center (www.ulm.edu/studentsuccess/), Counseling Center (www.ulm.edu/counselingcenter/), Special Needs (www.ulm.edu/counselingcenter/special.html), and Student Health Services (www.ulm.edu/healthclinic/), is available at the following Student Services web site www.ulm.edu/studentaffairs/).
Mental Wellness on the ULM Campus
If you are having any emotional, behavioral, or social problems, and would like to talk with a caring, concerned professional please call one of the following numbers:
The ULM Counseling Center 342–5220 The Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic 342–5678 The Community Counseling Clinic 342–1246 The ULM Student Health Services 342–1651
Remember that all services are offered free to faculty, staff, and students, and all are strictly confidential.
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Course Accessibility
The University of Louisiana at Monroe strives to serve students with special needs through compliance with Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. These laws mandate that postsecondary institutions provide equal access to programs and services for students with disabilities without creating changes to the essential elements of the curriculum. While students with special needs are expected to meet our institution's academic standards, they are given the opportunity to fulfill learner outcomes in alternative ways. Examples of accommodations may include, but are not limited to, testing accommodations (oral testing, extended time for exams), interpreters, relocation of inaccessible classrooms, permission to audiotape lectures, note–taking assistance, and course substitutions.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program or activity that receives federal funds, including federal loans and grants. Furthermore, Title IX prohibits sex discrimination to include sexual misconduct, sexual violence, sexual harassment and retaliation. If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please contact Student Services at 318–342–5230 or to file a complaint, visit www.ulm.edu/titleix
G. Emergency Procedures: Please check the evacuation chart in the classroom for the shortest path out of the building in the event of an emergency. Also, please inform me if you will need extra assistance in the event that we have to evacuate the building. Please do not use the elevator when evacuating.
H. Discipline/Course Specific Policies: The final day to withdraw from this class (with a “W”) is Thursday, October 27, 2020. (*Subject to change.)
No tobacco (e.g. cigarettes, chewing, snuff, “dip”, etc.), electronic cigarettes, certain drinks, and certain foods are permitted in the classroom at any time. Grades will not be given out over the telephone or in an e–mail message. On exam days, students are required to turn off and store any and all personal electronic devices such as cellular phones, iPhones, iPods, iPads, video games, etc. “Turn off” is defined as complete silence; in other words, no ringing and no vibrating. “Store” is defined as in your book bag, purse, etc.; not on your person and out of sight. Calculators that are not part of a cell phone will be permitted during exams. Head phones or ear buds are not permitted at any time in the classroom. Any violation of this policy will result in a zero (0) on the current exam. On non–exam days, personal electronic devices may be permitted. However, at the discretion of the instructor, each instance of class disruption related to these types of devices may result in a penalty of up to 50% on the next exam. The Instructor reserves the right to change a student's seat assignment. Graduating seniors are not exempt from anything. Each student is responsible for all material and assignments covered in class whether or not the student is in class. Students are not to enter the door at the front of the classroom once it has been closed. If the front door is closed then the student must enter the room using the door in the back of the room. The student will need to sit in the first available seat.
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Communication
Besides in person, a good method for us to communicate is by e–mail. If there are still issues to be resolved then you are welcome to contact me by telephone. I will attempt to respond to your e–mail or telephone messages within 24 hours during the week (i.e. Monday through Friday) and at least once on the weekends. When contacting me on–line, you must address me in the beginning of your message with a proper salutation. Furthermore, you must complete your message with your name. Also, you must send all e– mail messages via your ‘Warhawks’ account. Proper and civil conduct is expected when communicating with me via e–mail or telephone. Correct grammar is required and NO “text–talk lingo” will be accepted. Whether in class face–to–face or if the discussion board feature is used then it is expected that all participants will not use offensive language and/or remarks towards me or any other students. This includes, but not limited to, criticizing questions that one may have or answers to a question that I pose to the class.
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IX. *Tentative Course Schedule
Week 1
Forces and Motion Newton’s Law of Gravity Homework: Read Section 1; Chapters 1 & 2; Answer Questions on ‘Moodle’
Week 2
Impulse and Momentum Friction, Drag, and Sound Homework: Read Section 1; Chapters 3 & 4; Answer Questions on ‘Moodle’
Week 3
Properties of Matter Fluid Mechanics Homework: Read Section 1; Chapters 5 & 6; Answer Questions on ‘Moodle’
Week 4
Centripetal Acceleration Torque and Rotation Homework: Read Section 1; Chapters 7 & 8; Answer Questions on ‘Moodle’
Week 5
Angular Momentum Exam #1 Homework: Read Section 1; Chapter 9
Week 6
Simple Harmonic Motion Special Relativity Homework: Read Section 1; Chapters 10 & 11; Answer Questions on ‘Moodle’
Week 7
Conservation of Energy The Three Laws of Thermodynamics Homework: Read Section 2; Chapters 12 & 13; Answer Questions on ‘Moodle’
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Week 8
Conduction and Convection Phase Transitions Homework: Read Section 2; Chapters 14 & 15; Answer Questions on ‘Moodle’
Week 9
Electrostatics Electric Currents Homework: Read Section 2; Chapters 16 & 17; Answer Questions on ‘Moodle’
Week 10
Ampere’s Law Exam #2 Homework: Read Section 2; Chapter 18
Week 11
Magnetism and Faraday’s Law Electromagnetism and Light Homework: Read Section 2; Chapters 19 & 20; Answer Questions on ‘Moodle’
Week 12
Atomic Physics Quantum Mechanics Homework: Read Section 3; Chapters 21 & 22; Answer Questions on ‘Moodle’
Week 13
Tunneling Phenomena Solid–State Physics Homework: Read Section 3; Chapters 23 & 24; Answer Questions on ‘Moodle’
Week 14
Materials Science Summary of Course / Final Thoughts / What Have We Learned? Homework: Read Section 3; Chapter 25; Answer Questions on ‘Moodle’
Week 15
Final Exam (Over material discussed after Exam #3)
The Final Exam will be given on: Tuesday, December 8, 2016.
*The Instructor reserves the right to adjust the schedule as needed.
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