Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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PH 113 - College Physics I

3 lecture hours 2 lab hours 4 credits
Course Description
This is an introductory presentation of the fundamental concepts and principles of mechanics and heat. Vectors, motion with constant acceleration, Newton’s Laws, work, energy and momentum are discussed in the mechanics portion of the course. Temperature, thermal expansion, heat capacity and heat transfer mechanisms are discussed in the heat portion. The associated laboratory correlates theory with experimental results and gives students direct experience with some of the concepts presented in the lectures. The laboratory also provides an opportunity for students to become familiar with laboratory instruments, and techniques, and report writing. This course replaces PT 110. Not for credit for students who have credit for PH 130 . Designated as laptop course. (prereq: MA 127 )
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Distinguish between scalar and vector quantities and to work problems involving vector addition and subtraction in both polar and rectangular form
  • Understand kinematics graphs and be able to use them to solve problems
  • Apply the laws of kinematics to solve both one-and two-dimensional problems involving motion under constant acceleration
  • Solve a problem requiring transforming kinematical quantities from one reference frame to a second, moving frame
  • Use free body diagrams to solve dynamics problems
  • Understand Newton’s Laws of Motion and Newton’s Law of Gravitation and be able to work problems with them involving linear and circular motion
  • Understand the concepts of work, energy, and power and be able to solve problems involving them
  • Understand the conservation of mechanical energy and be able to work problems and also be able to work problems involving energy and non-conservative forces
  • Understand the concepts of impulse and momentum and be able to work problems involving it
  • Understand the conservation of momentum and be able to work problems involving both it and the conservation of energy
  • Understand the concept of center-of-mass and be able to work problems involving it
  • Understand the concepts of heat, temperature and thermal expansion and be able to work problems involving them
  • Understand the concepts of calorimetry and to be able to work problems involving them with or without phase changes
  • Understand the three methods of heat transfer and be able to work problems involving them

Prerequisites by Topic
  • PH 090 or one year of high school physics

Course Topics
  • Mechanics - 8 weeks. (24 classes)
  • Heat - 2 weeks (6 classes)

Laboratory Topics
  • An Accelerating Car
  • An Object in Free Fall
  • Uncertainties in Measurements
  • Projectile Motion
  • Propagation of Uncertainties
  • Newton’s Second Law
  • Conservation of Mechanical Energy
  • Impulse and Change in Momentum
  • Momentum and Energy in Collisions
  • Specific and Latent Heats of Water

Coordinator
Steven Mayer



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