PHYS 102 Spring 2026
PHYS 102 :: Physics Illinois :: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Home page: Welcome to Phys 102!
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Announcements
Week 6 (2/23-27) Test 2 is this week. Once we finish with this test we can take a break from vectors for a while (they're coming back when we do magnetic fields)
Here is a summary of our schedule and deadlines for Week 6:
- Class Meetings
- Lectures 10 and 11 (learning more about circuits)
- Discussion 6
- Lab 3
- Online assignments
- [smartPhysics] Prelectures and Checkpoints 10 and 11
- [smartPhysics] Homework 5 is due at 8am on Friday
- [smartPhysics] Week 6 prelab is due at 8am on Tuesday
- Action items
- Prepare for Test 2
- Sign up for your time slot in PrairieTest
- Try Practice Test 2 in PrairieLearn
- Review the Test 2 Study Guide on the Exam Information page
- [James Scholar Students] Start to work to identify your project topic or article
- If you are looking for individual feedback or advice about succeeding in Physics 102: Talk to your TA and/or arrange a one-on-one meeting with Prof. Ansell
- If you are looking for extra help as you prepare for Test 2: Come to office hours or seek out a private tutor (your TA may be able to connect you with graduate students who are interested in tutoring)
- Prepare for Test 2
Course Technology Summary
Course Component Summary: In Class Activities
Lecture
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Occurs twice weekly, except University Holidays (Schedule).
- Will be based on the corresponding prelecture and checkpoint. Complete these before lecture.
Discussion
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There are two components:
- A group problem set, submitted as a group assignment (GradeScope)
- A skills check taken individually (PrairieTest)
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Students must be on time and prepared for discussion (Course Description, Discussion).
- Students should have the required materials for Discussion at each meeting (Required Materials)
Laboratory
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There are three components, worked on in small student teams:
- A pre-lab activity to help you prepare for the experimental question (smartPhysics).
- A group activity to help you build a proposal for the day's experimental question.
- A final team lab report (GradeScope).
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Students must be on time and prepared for discussion (Course Description, Lab).
- Students should have the required materials for Lab at each meeting (Required Materials).
Course Component Summary: Exams and Homework
Exams
- Exams will be given at the Computer Based Testing Facility.
- View the formula sheet.
- Review the exam information page for details.
Homework
- Online weekly homework accessed through smartPhysics.
- Access is free for the first two weeks of classes.
- Sometime in the first two weeks you will need to pay for access by purchasing a code through the UIUC bookstore
- Details of how to pay for access are available via pdf.
Excused Absences
- Please submit your excused absence no later than 12 business days after your absence via the Excused Absences application.
- For more information regarding this course's excuses policy, please refer to the Attendance Policy page.
Registering After the First Day of Classes
If you registered after the first day of classes but before the 10th day of classes:
- It is your responsibility to contact your lecturer and organize a plan for make-up work.
- You must do this before the 8th week of classes.
Academic Integrity
All activities in this course, including
- in-lecture voting
- documentation submitted for petition for an excused absence,
- quizzes
- exams
- labs
- homework
are subject to the Academic Integrity rules as described in Article 1, Part 4, Academic Integrity, of the Student Code.