PHYS 111
General Physics
1. Catalog Entry
PHYS 111
General Physics
Credit hours (4)
Prerequisites: High school mathematics.
Vectors, mechanics, heat, electricity, magnetism, sound, light and selected topics
in modern physics.
Note(s): General Education and Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course. Students
may not receive credit for both PHYS 111:PHYS 112 AND PHYS 221:PHYS 222.
2. Detailed Description of Course
1) Vector Arithmetic 鈥� Addition, subtraction and resolution of vectors in one
and two dimensions
2) Kinematics 鈥� Displacement, velocity, acceleration and the description of motion
in one and two
dimensions
3) Linear dynamics 鈥� Newton鈥檚 Laws of Motion; friction; equilibrium; work, power,
and energy; conservation
of energy; momentum and conservation of momentum
4) Thermodynamics 鈥� Temperature and temperature scales; heat as a form of energy;
thermal expansion;
specific heat; heat transfer mechanisms; the laws of thermodynamics
5) Properties of materials 鈥� Stress, strain, Young鈥檚 Modulus, and Hooke鈥檚 Law
6) Wave motion and sound 鈥� Simple harmonic motion; resonance; traverse and longitudinal
waves and their
properties; sound and the human ear
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Lectures are designed to introduce the student to concepts in physics and application
of those concepts to the solution of qualitative and quantitative problems. The instructor
models problem solving behavior in working examples. Questions from the students are
encouraged, both during the lecture presentation and the problem solving sessions.
Problems assigned to the students and problems worked by the instructor are chosen,
as often as possible, to illustrate technological applications of the principles involved.
Issues raised by the interaction of science, technology and society are discussed
extensively throughout the course.
Laboratory periods are devoted to the conduct of laboratory exercises designed to
illustrate concepts and encourage active involvement of the students in the exercises.
A laboratory manual is not used; exercises are described in handouts given out each
week. Early exercises contain specific and detailed instructions on how to proceed
with the activity. As the year progresses, instructions become less specific and students
are expected to become more and more dependent on their own problem solving ability
and their own creativity.
4. Goals and Objectives of the Course
1) Students will acquire a knowledge base in physics as part of their professional
preparation (chemistry
and geology majors, students planning careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy,
physical therapy, sports
medicine).
2) All students will develop the ability to think critically and to solve problems.
3) All students will develop some level of understanding of the process of science
- the ways in which
scientific knowledge is produced and evaluated.
4) All students will acquire a deeper understanding of the world around them.
5) All students will become aware of the interactions between science, technology
and society, and consider
those interactions in a critical and thoughtful way.
Core Curriculum Objectives (Goal 6: Physical and Natural Sciences)
澳门老奇人论坛 students will understand the methodologies of scientific inquiry,
think critically about scientific problems, and apply principles of a scientific discipline
to solve problems in the natural/physical world.
澳门老奇人论坛 students will be able to:
1) Distinguish between findings that are based upon empirical data and those that
are not.
2) 澳门老奇人论坛 scientific principles within the context of a specific scientific discipline
to solve real world problems.
5. Assessment Measures
Student progress is measured by periodic tests, a comprehensive final examination
(Physics 111 only), weekly laboratory reports in which the students analyze experimental
data and provide a written report of their work, and in informal observation of student's
work during laboratory sessions and individual conferences. A homework problem is
also assigned with each laboratory activity and is graded by the instructor or a laboratory
assistant.
6. Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
September 2001
June 20, 2015
March 01, 2021