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PHYS 110 General Physics I (Calculus)

Students will develop an understanding of vectors and Newton’s laws of motion as well as conservation of energy and momentum and apply these concepts to develop explanatory and predictive models for various mechanical systems. Students will also investigate dimensional analysis, rotational motion, summation of forces and torques, principles of equilibrium, and oscillations (including resonance). Students will refine their understanding through small group and whole class discussions, class demonstrations, laboratory experiments, computer simulations, practice problems and online tutorials (involving calculus as needed), and self-reflection. In the laboratory portion of the class, students learn to use common physics equipment (including microcomputer-based sensors), design experiments, analyze data and uncertainty, develop empirical models of phenomena, and communicate their results through written and oral lab reports. 

Credits

4

Prerequisite

Eligible to enroll in ENGL 121. Pre- or corequisite: MATH 181

Hours Weekly

3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab weekly

Course Objectives

  1. 1. Recognize one’s intuitive ideas about the behavior of the physical world and refine those
    ideas through class discussions and by comparing and contrasting them with results from
    experiments and computer simulations.
  2. 2. Identify the vector or scalar nature of common kinematic and dynamic quantities, and
    demonstrate mathematical and graphical operations on vector quantities.
  3. 3. Interpret and communicate physics concepts through written descriptions, equations,
    graphs, and diagrams using appropriate symbols, notation, and vocabulary.
  4. 4. Develop and demonstrate explanatory and predictive models by analyzing the forces and
    torques acting on an object or system of objects and applying Newton’s laws of motion.
  5. 5. Develop and demonstrate explanatory and predictive models by applying conservation of
    energy and/or conservation of momentum to a system of objects.
  6. 6. Identify and operate common laboratory equipment and data gathering tools such as motion
    and force sensors, spring scales, graphical analysis programs, and computer simulations to
    gather information about a system or phenomenon.
  7. 7. Design experiments, analyze uncertainty, and use experimental results to develop and
    assess models and/or to develop empirical equations and communicate these findings
    through oral and written reports.
  8. 8. Solve problems accurately by: identifying or estimating essential information and questions,
    formulating a solution strategy, applying appropriate analytical and computational
    techniques (e.g. spreadsheets, simulations), interpreting the solution physically, and
    assessing the reasonableness of the solution (e.g. sign, order of magnitude).

Course Objectives

  1. 1. Recognize one’s intuitive ideas about the behavior of the physical world and refine those
    ideas through class discussions and by comparing and contrasting them with results from
    experiments and computer simulations.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

  2. 2. Identify the vector or scalar nature of common kinematic and dynamic quantities, and
    demonstrate mathematical and graphical operations on vector quantities.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

  3. 3. Interpret and communicate physics concepts through written descriptions, equations,
    graphs, and diagrams using appropriate symbols, notation, and vocabulary.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

  4. 4. Develop and demonstrate explanatory and predictive models by analyzing the forces and
    torques acting on an object or system of objects and applying Newton’s laws of motion.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

  5. 5. Develop and demonstrate explanatory and predictive models by applying conservation of
    energy and/or conservation of momentum to a system of objects.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

  6. 6. Identify and operate common laboratory equipment and data gathering tools such as motion
    and force sensors, spring scales, graphical analysis programs, and computer simulations to
    gather information about a system or phenomenon.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

  7. 7. Design experiments, analyze uncertainty, and use experimental results to develop and
    assess models and/or to develop empirical equations and communicate these findings
    through oral and written reports.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

  8. 8. Solve problems accurately by: identifying or estimating essential information and questions,
    formulating a solution strategy, applying appropriate analytical and computational
    techniques (e.g. spreadsheets, simulations), interpreting the solution physically, and
    assessing the reasonableness of the solution (e.g. sign, order of magnitude).

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • Final exam questions

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

    Scientific Reasoning

    • SR2
    • SR3