Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
PHYS 1107
Descriptive
Introductory General Physics I
Department
Physics
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
5.00
Start Date
End Term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
36
Course Designation
None
Industry Designation
None
Contact Hours
Lecture: 4 hours/week
Lab: 3 hours/week
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Lab
Learning Activities
Classroom time will be used for lectures, demonstrations, discussions, problem solving practice, and/or in-class assignments (which may include work in groups). The lab part of this course involves a weekly three-hour session during which students will perform experiments related to the course content to build practical experimental skills. Work outside of class time may include online homework assignments.
Course Description
This course is an algebra-based physics course focused on mechanics and waves. Topics covered in this course include linear kinematics and dynamics, energy, momentum, rotational motion, simple harmonic motion, mechanical waves, and sound. This course includes a weekly lab.
Course Content
Math Tools
- SI units
- vectors and scalars
- significant figures
- vector components
- vector scaling, addition, and subtraction
Kinematics
- position, displacement, velocity, and acceleration
- motion plots
- 1D and 2D motion under constant acceleration
- free fall motion
- projectile motion
Dynamics
- Newton’s laws in 1D and 2D
- Hooke’s law
- friction
- gravitation, weight, and apparent weight
- centripetal force and uniform circular motion
- torque
- conditions for equilibrium
Energy
- work, energy, and power
- work-energy theorem
- conservative and non-conservative forces
- kinetic and potential energies
- conservation of energy
Momentum
- impulse and momentum
- conservation of momentum
- inelastic collisions in 1D and 2D
- elastic collisions in 1D
Rotational Motion
- angular position, angular displacement, and rotation angle
- angular velocity and angular acceleration
- rotational kinematics under a constant angular acceleration
- moment of inertia
- rotational kinetic energy
- objects rolling without slipping
- massive pulleys
- angular momentum of rigid bodies
Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
- angular frequency, oscillation period, and amplitude
- mass-spring systems
- simple pendulum
- energy in SHM
Mechanical Waves
- traveling waves
- superposition principle and interference
- standing waves and beats
Sound
- power and intensity
- sound intensity level
- Doppler effect
Lab Experiments (may include)
- measurement skills
- graphing straight line motion
- accelerated motion in 1D
- projectile motion
- friction
- static equilibrium
- orbital motion and centripetal force
- conservation of energy
- collisions and linear momentum
- moment of inertia
- Hooke’s law and simple harmonic motion
- simple pendulum
- standing waves on a string
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, successful students will be able to:
- determine the correct SI units for physical quantities through dimensional analysis.
- use vector components to solve problems that involve forces or motion in 2D.
- apply vector scaling, addition, and/or subtraction to determine the direction and magnitude of vector quantities associated with motion (for example, displacement, velocity, and acceleration).
- interpret graphs of position, velocity, and acceleration as functions of time.
- solve 1D kinematics problems with a constant acceleration.
- solve 2D kinematics problems with a constant acceleration and projectile motion problems by applying the principle of independence of motion along two perpendicular directions.
- define normal force, static friction force, kinetic friction force, tension force, spring force, and gravitational force.
- summarize the forces acting on an object by drawing a free body diagram.
- apply Newton’s laws to solve problems in 1D and 2D that involve forces acting on objects.
- define and determine the centripetal force acting on an object moving along a curved path.
- solve problems that involve objects undergoing uniform circular motion.
- define and calculate the torque due to a force and the net torque on an object.
- calculate the work done by conservative and non-conservative forces.
- apply the law of conservation of energy and/or the work-energy theorem to solve problems that involve forces acting on objects.
- distinguish between elastic collisions, inelastic collisions, and completely inelastic collisions.
- apply the law of conservation of momentum to solve problems that involve inelastic collisions (or explosions) in 1D and 2D.
- solve elastic collision problems in 1D where one of the colliding objects is initially at rest.
- solve rotational kinematics problems for motion with a constant angular acceleration.
- define moment of inertia and explain how the moment of inertia depends on the mass distribution within an object.
- solve problems that involve forces and torques acting on objects that can translate and rotate (for example, rolling objects or massive pulleys) using the rotational analogue of Newton’s second law and/or conservation of energy.
- define simple harmonic motion (SHM) and explain why a mass-spring system undergoes SHM.
- apply the motion equations for SHM and/or conservation of energy to solve problems that involve SHM.
- use the mathematical equation for a traveling wave to determine the wave speed and direction of the wave’s propagation.
- solve problems that involve the interference of traveling waves (for example, standing waves and beats).
- calculate the frequency or wavelength of sound heard by an observer due to the Doppler effect.
- state and discuss the precision and accuracy of measurements.
- determine the uncertainty on a quantity calculated from measured values by propagating uncertainty through a calculation.
- present data using computer generated plots and determine physical quantities using a linear regression.
- discuss and analyze the results of an experiment to provide appropriate context for the outcome.
- communicate details of an experiment (for example, the objective, data, calculations, discussion, and conclusion) in a written report.
Means of Assessment
Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:
| Quizzes and Assignments | 10-30% |
| Tests (minimum of two) | 20-40% |
| Lab Reports and Quizzes | 20% |
| Final Exam | 25-40% |
| Total | 100% |
Textbook Materials
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
Urone and Hinrichs, Open Stax, College Physics (custom edition)
Douglas College, PHYS 1107 Laboratory Experiments Manual (current edition)
Prerequisites