PHYS 101 :: Physics Illinois :: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

We will hold the Physics 101 final exam at the CBTF December 12-20. Please make your reservation in PrairieTest.

Week 11 (11/4-11/8): Simple Harmonic Motion and Test 5

Here is a summary of our schedule and deadlines this week:

• Class Meetings
  • Lectures 20 and 21
  • Discussion 11
  • Lab 7
• Online assignments
  • [smartPhysics] Prelectures and Checkpoints 20 and 21
  • [smartPhysics] Homework 10 is due at 8am on Thursday, November 7
  • [smartPhysics] Prelab 7 is due at 8am on the day your lab meets
• Action items
  • Make your Test 5 reservation on PrairieTest and take your test this week
  • Make your Final Exam reservation on PrairieTest

Test 5 information:

• Test 5 will cover topics from Lectures 16-19
• Expect to see two warmup questions on the test, and about 10 physics questions
• You will use the same formula sheet as always
• See the Lecture 20 slides for figures and an annotated list of learning objectives that will be measured on the test
• A practice test is posted in PrairieLearn

Week 9 (10/21-10/25) Test 4 is this week. We'll also wrap up our unit on rotations.

If you are struggling with burnout or have fallen behind in the course in some way, please consider reaching out to the CARE Center to get connected with resources to help you take care of yourself and get back on track. You may also consider looking at the mental health resources link. It may be helpful to look at resources for studying and test taking from DGS and DRES.

Here is a summary of our schedule and deadlines for when we return in Week 10:

• Class Meetings
  • Lectures 16 and 17
  • Discussion 9
  • No lab
• Online assignments
  • [smartPhysics] Prelecture and Checkpoint 16 due Monday. There is no prelecture or checkpoint due for Lecture 17.
  • [smartPhysics] Homework 8 is due at 8am on Thursday, October 24
• Action items
  • Make your Test 4 reservation on PrairieTest and take your test this week
  • If you are looking for extra assistance to prepare for Exam 2: Come to office hours, connect with OMSA free tutoring, or seek out a private tutor (your TA may be able to connect you with graduate students who are interested in tutoring)

Test 4 information:

• Test 4 will cover topics from Lectures 12-15
• Expect to see two warmup questions on the test, and about 10 physics questions
• You will use the same formula sheet as always
• See the Lecture 16 slides for figures and an annotated list of learning objectives that will be measured on the test
• A practice test is posted in PrairieLearn

Week 6 (9/30-10/4) Congratulations on completing Test 2. We will open the test questions for you to review in PrairieLearn early this week. Test 3 will cover topics from Lectures 8-11.

Here is a summary of our schedule and deadlines for Week 6:

• Class Meetings
  • Lectures 10 and 11 (energy)
  • Discussion 6
  • Lab 4
• Online assignments
  • [smartPhysics] Prelectures and Checkpoints 10 and 11
  • [smartPhysics] Homework 5 is due at 8am on Thursday, October 3
  • [smartPhysics] Prelab 4 is due at 8am on the day your lab meets
• Action items
  • [James Scholar Students] Start to work to identify your project topic or article
  • If you are looking for individual feedback or advice after Test 2: Talk to your TA and/or arrange a one-on-one meeting with Prof. Ansell
  • If you are looking for extra help after Test 2: Come to office hours, connect with Jeffries Center free tutoring, or seek out a private tutor (your TA may be able to connect you with graduate students who are interested in tutoring)

Week 5 (9/23-27): Test 2 takes place Wednesday-Friday this week at the CBTF. If you are feeling anxious as you prepare please consider checking out these resources for test anxiety [Resource 1][Resource 2]

If you are encountering difficulties with the math in this course, we encourage you to utilize online resources and office hours for assistance. This OpenStax chapter on right triangles is useful for reviewing when to use sine, cosine, and tangent; and this chapter reviews methods for solving two equations with two unknowns.

Here is a summary of our schedule and deadlines for Week 5:

• Class Meetings
  • Lectures 8 and 9
  • Discussion 5
  • Lab 3
• Online assignments
  • [smartPhysics] Prelectures and Checkpoints 8 and 9. Due to a schedule change, these assignments were initially set to be due on Wednesday 9/18. If you have already completed them you do not have to do them again.
  • [smartPhysics] Prelab 1 is due at 8am on the day your lab section meets
  • [smartPhysics] Homework 4 is due at 8am on Thursday, September 26
• Action items
  • Sign up for a Test 2 time slot in PrairieTest ASAP
  • Test 1 will cover content from Lectures 4-7, Homeworks 3-4, Lab 1, and Discussions 3-5
    • Review lectures to prepare for conceptual questions
    • Practice calculation problems from old Physics 101 exams
    • Try the Practice Test in PrairieLearn

Students who wish to earn James Scholar Honors Credit in this course: Please see the Project Page for details. Note that the project proposal is due in Gradescope on Friday October 18 at 5:00pm.

Week 4 (9/16-9/20): Congratulations on completing Test 1. We will open the test questions for you to review in PrairieLearn early this week. Test 2 will cover topics from Lectures 4-7.

If you are encountering difficulties with the math in this course, we encourage you to utilize online resources and office hours for assistance. This OpenStax chapter on right triangles is useful for reviewing when to use sine, cosine, and tangent; and this chapter reviews methods for solving two equations with two unknowns.

Here is a summary of our schedule and deadlines for Week 4:

• Class Meetings:
  • Lectures 6 and 7
  • Discussion 4
  • Lab 2
• Online assignments
  • [smartPhysics] Prelectures and Checkpoints 6 and 7
  • [smartPhysics] Prelab 2 is due 8am the day your lab section meets
  • [smartPhysics] Homework 3 is due at 8am on Thursday, September 19
• Action items
  • Sign up for your Test 2 time slot in PrairieTest
  • Try Practice Test 2 in PrairieLearn (available Wednesday morning)
  • Get your smartphysics access code ASAP before the demo period runs out. We will not be extending smartphysics deadlines unless there is a problem with stock at the bookstore.

Week 3 (9/9-9/13) If you just joined the course, please take some time to review the course website and the Getting Started page. This page will help you make sure you are ready for each component of the class.

Test 1 takes place Wednesday-Friday this week at the CBTF.

View a copy of the massmail sent to the class on Friday 9/6 with Test 1 information.

If you are feeling anxious as you prepare for the exam please consider checking out this document from the Counseling Center with advice on test anxiety.

If you are encountering difficulties with the math in this course, we encourage you to utilize online resources and office hours for assistance. This OpenStax chapter on right triangles is useful for reviewing when to use sine, cosine, and tangent; and this chapter reviews methods for solving two equations with two unknowns.

Here is a summary of our schedule and deadlines for Week 3:

Remember to purchase your smartPhysics access code before the DEMO period expires. Use the code you receive in smart.physics.illinois.edu, not at flipitphysics.com.

• Class Meetings:
  • Lecture 4 on Monday and Lecture 5 on Wednesday
  • Discussion 3
  • Lab 1
• Online assignments
  • [smartPhysics] Prelectures and Checkpoints 4 and 5 are due 8am on Monday and Wednesday, respectively
  • Prelab 1 is due at 8am on the day your lab section meets
  • Homework 2 is due at 8am on Thursday, September 12
• Action items
  • Sign up for a Test 1 time slot in PrairieTest ASAP
  • Office hours continue in 271 Loomis (schedule). Remember to add your question to the Office Hours Queue to get a bonus point.
  • Test 1 will cover content from Lectures 1-3, Homeworks 1-2, and Discussions 1-3* (except for 2D motion with constant acceleration)
    • Study guide with learning objectives for Exam 1
    • Review lectures to prepare for conceptual questions
    • Practice calculation problems from old Physics 101 exams
    • Try the Practice Test in PrairieLearn

Week 2 (9/2-9/6) If you just joined the course, please take some time to review the course website and the Getting Started page. They will help you make sure you are ready for each component of the class.

View a copy of the massmail sent to the class on Friday, August 30.

Here is a summary of our schedule and deadlines for Week 2:

• Class meetings:
  • Lecture 3 on Wednesday
  • Discussion 2
  • There is no lab meeting this week. Lab will start next week.
• Online (smartPhysics) assignments
  • Prelecture 3 and Checkpoint 3 are due at 8am on Wednesday September 4
  • Prelab 0 is due at 8am on Thursday September 5
  • Homework 1 is due at 8am on Thursday September 5
• Action items
  • Bring your iclicker remote or a device with the iclicker student app to class so you can participate in class polling. Physical iclickers must be registered in your iclicker.com student account for you to get credit in lecture.
    • You can earn a bonus point for the week by answering 50% of questions correctly in either lecture.
    • You must answer at 50% of poll questions in each lecture to earn participation credit for that lecture.
    • You may get credit for attending the 1pm or 2pm lecture.
  • If you have not arranged to get an IOLab yet you should do so right away - you will need it for Prelab 1 and Lab 1 next week.
  • Purchase your smartPhysics access code from the bookstore before the DEMO period expires. Enter the code you receive in smart.physics.illinois.edu, not at flipitphysics.com.
  • [DRES students] Follow these instructions to arrange your accommodations.
  • Reserve your time slot for Test 1 in PrairieTest.
• Other announcements
  • Office hours begin Tuesday 9/3 in 271 Loomis (schedule). Remember to add your question to the Office Hours Queue to get a bonus point.

Welcome to Physics 101. As the semester begins, please take some time to review the course website, especially the Getting Started page. This page will help you make sure you are ready for each component of the class. We look forward to getting to know you this semester!

Welcome to Physics 101. As we prepare for the semester to begin, please take some time to review the Getting Started page. This page will help you make sure you are ready for each component of the class. We look forward to getting to know you this semester!

Here is a summary of our schedule and deadlines for Week 1 (beginning August 26, 2024):

• Lectures 1 and 2 will be held on Monday August 26 and Wednesday August 28.
  • The first prelecture and checkpoint assignments in smartPhysics are due at 8am on August 26, i.e., they are due the morning of the first lecture.
  • You may choose whether you will use a physical iClicker or the iClicker Cloud app. Sign up for an account and add yourself to the Physics 101 class at iclicker.com before Lecture 3.
  • We will not use iclickers in Lecture 1.
• Discussion sections meet in Week 1. Check your course schedule to make sure you know where to be and when.
• Prelab 0 is due during Week 2 in smartPhysics.
• If you have not arranged to get an IOLab yet you should do so right away - you will need it for Prelab 1 and Lab 1 in Week 3.
• There is no homework in Week 1. Homework 1 will be due Thursday 9/5 at 8am.
• Office hours begin in Week 2.
• If you need DRES accommodations please follow the instructions here. We will not be able to make accommodations unless we have your LOA.