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

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PH 2010A - Physics I-Mechanics

4 lecture hours 3 lab hours 4 credits
Course Description
This course is a calculus based introduction to mechanics. Topics include: linear and rotational kinematics and dynamics, work, energy, and momentum. The mathematical level of this course includes the use of vector algebra and elementary applications of differential and integral calculus. The laboratory part of the course emphasizes measurement precision, experimental technique, analysis of data, and report writing. Together with Physics II and Physics III (PH 2020  and PH 2030 ), this course provides one year of university level physics. No more than four credits can be counted in any combination with PH 113  or PH 130 . This course is designed for students who did not take physics in high school or need a refresher course because they took physics in the past. (prereq: MA 136  or MA 136A ) (coreq: MA 137  or MA 137A  or MA 1410H , CH 200  or CH 200A  or CH 200B  or CH 2100H ).
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Use calculus to develop kinematics equations for the position, velocity, and acceleration of an object as a function of time, and use these to solve kinematic problems
  • Use Newton’s Second Law of Motion to solve dynamics problems
  • Identify forces related to each other through Newton’s Third Law of Motion.
  • Determine the work done on an object
  • Use the Work-Kinetic Energy Theorem to solve problems
  • Use the Conservation of Energy Principle and Conservation of Linear Momentum
  • Determine the location of the center of mass of a system of particles
  • Use the Impulse-Momentum Theorem to solve problems
  • Use the gravitational force law to solve dynamics problems
  • Relate the gravitational potential energy to the idea of a gravitational field
  • Evaluate the behavior of simple harmonic motion
  • Develop the kinematics equations for the angular velocity and angular acceleration of an object as functions of time, and use these to solve rotational kinematics problems

Prerequisites by Topic
  • Be able to perform arithmetic operations using scientific notation and significant figures
  • Be able to convert from one set of units to another. (SI and British)
  • Be able to resolve a vector into its components, and add and subtract vectors
  • Be able to solve one-dimensional kinematics problems with constant acceleration, and to understand the difference between velocity and speed
  • Be able to perform basic laboratory techniques involving measurements, graphing, and error analysis
  • Be able to evaluate the derivatives of algebraic and trigonometric functions
  • Be able to interpret the derivatives (and slopes of graphs) in terms of position, velocity, and acceleration of a moving particle

Course Topics
  • One dimensional kinematics with constant acceleration (1 class)
  • Kinematics in two dimensions with constant or non-constant acceleration (4 classes)
  • Application of Newton’s Laws of Motion, for both static and dynamic problems (10 classes)
  • Work & Energy, Impulse & Momentum (7 classes)
  • Simple harmonic motion (2 classes)
  • Gravitation (3 classes)
  • Testing (3 classes)

Laboratory Topics
  • An object in free fall
  • Projectile motion
  • Uncertainties in Measurements; graphical analysis
  • Propagation of Uncertainties
  • Friction
  • Free fall with air resistance
  • Conservation of mechanical energy
  • Impulse and change in momentum
  • Oscillatory motion
  • Experimental design and analysis

Coordinator
Robert Olsson



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