(Required)
Catalog Data 2006-2008:
PHYS 2425:
Calculus Based Physics I. Credit 4. Mechanics, vibrations, heat.
Prerequisite: Registration in or credit for MATH 2414 and permission of department head.
Textbook: Halliday/ Resnick/ Walker: Fundamentals of Physics (sixth edition)
Coordinator: Dr. Chris Nelson, Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics
Course Objectives: 1. To develop communication skills on written work. Diagrams, formulas, numeric and unit consistence will be expected.
2. To develop quantitative laboratory techniques and data analysis skills.
3. The ability to measure, to analyze, and to discuss laboratory phenomena will be cultivated.
4. To develop personal confidence.
Topics:
Unit I: Particle Dynamics (vector acceleration)
Unit II: Energy, Momentum (work; impulse)
Unit III: Rotational Dynamics; Fluids
Unit IV: Waves; Thermal Physics
Laboratory projects:
1. Motion in one dimension with constant acceleration (1 week)
2. Motion in two dimensions with constant acceleration (1 week)
3. Application of Newton's laws of motion (1 week)
4. Measuring the coefficient of kinetic friction (1 week)
5. Kinetic energy, potential energy and force (1 week)
6. Conservation of linear momentum (1 week)
7. Elastic collisions between bodies of unequal mass (1 week)
8. Conservation of momentum and reference frames (1 week)
9. Rolling objects (1 week)
10. Angular momentum (1 week)
11. Simple harmonic motion (1 week)
12. The physical pendulum (1 week)
13. Clement and Desormes' experiment (1 week)
14. Application of Bernoulli's equation (1 week)
Schedule: Three 50-minute lectures per week. One 3-hour lab. Four 50-minute exams and a 2-hour final.