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. Physics 1015 – Page 1 The Physics of Superheroes: 1015; CRN: 44215; Fall 2020 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. Physics 1015 – Page 2 The Physics of Superheroes: 1015; CRN: 44215; Fall 2020 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. Physics 1015 – Page 3 The Physics of Superheroes: 1015; CRN: 44215; Fall 2020 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. Physics 1015 – Page 4 The Physics of Superheroes: 1015; CRN: 44215; Fall 2020 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. Physics 1015 – Page 5 The Physics of Superheroes: 1015; CRN: 44215; Fall 2020 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.