Chabot College
Fall 2010
Course Outline for Physics 2A
INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS I
Catalog Description:
2A - Introduction to Physics I
4 units
Introduction to the major principles of classical mechanics and electricity using pre-calculus mathematics.
Includes Newtonian mechanics, enerPgy, gravitation, fluids, thermodynamics, vibration waves, and
electrostatics. Prerequisite: Mathematics 20 or 36 or 37 (completed with a grade of C or higher). 3 hours
lecture, 3 hours laboratory. [Typical contact hours: lecture 52.5, laboratory 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
Before entering the course the student should be able to:
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apply the methods of the theory of Equations (synthetic division, Rational Roots Theorem, etc.) to
factor polynomials and to solve algebraic equations;
graph algebraic functions and relations;
solve equations involving logarithmic, exponential and trigonometric functions;
prepare detailed graphs of conic sections;
create mathematical models using algebraic or transcendental functions;
use sign graphs to solve non-linear inequalities;
construct a proof using mathematical induction;
graph using translations, reflections and distortions;
identify and use the trigonometric functions in problem solving;
prove trigonometric identities;
develop and use exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric formulas;
graph exponential and trigonometric functions and their inverses;
graph polar equations;
identify and use the trigonometric ratios in problem solving;
use radian measure;
define trigonometric functions in terms of the right triangle and the unit circle;
write down from memory the values of sine, cosine, and tangent functions of standard angles, both
in degree and radian measure;
write down from memory the Pythagorean identities, reciprocal identities, double angle formulas for
sine and cosine, and sum and difference formulas for the sine and cosine;
prove trigonometric identities;
use trigonometric formulas;
solve trigonometric equations with multiple angles over different intervals;
use the law of sines and law of cosines to solve oblique triangles;
graph trigonometric functions;
graph the inverse sine, inverse cosine, and inverse tangent functions;
convert between polar coordinate system and rectangular coordinate system;
define and/or illustrate: segment, ray, angle, midpoint of a segment, bisector of an angle or segment,
types of triangles and other polygons, congruence and similarity of triangles, perpendicular and
parallel lines;
use definitions of the items in (21), along with postulates and theorems about them, together with
undefined terms, to prove geometric theorems, both synthetically and analytically; and both directly
and indirectly;
compute areas and volumes of geometric figures.
Chabot College
Course Outline for Physics 2A, page 2
Fall 2010
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
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analyze and solve a variety of problems in topics such as:
a.
linear and rotational kinematics;
b.
linear and rotational dynamics;
c.
gravity;
d.
momentum;
e.
energy;
f.
fluids;
g.
thermodynamics;
h.
simple harmonic motion;
i.
longitudinal and transverse waves;
j.
electrostatics;
operate standard laboratory equipment;
analyze laboratory data;
write comprehensive laboratory reports according to published unit laboratory report standards
Course Content (Lecture):
Lecture:
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Introduction
a.
Qualities of science
b.
Terminology, notation
c.
Measurement, fundamental quantities
d.
Mathematics review, equations, formulas, dimensional analysis
Properties of matter
a.
Structure, density, specific gravity
b.
Atom structure and nomenclature, Avogadro's number
c.
Measures of elasticity, stretch, shear, and volume moduli
Matter in motion, kinematics
a.
Uniform and accelerated motion
b.
Uniform, straight-line motion
c.
Uniformly accelerated motion, gravitational acceleration
d.
Average and instantaneous values
e.
Relative velocity
f.
Vectors, components, description of projectile motion
Causes of motion, dynamics
a.
Force
b.
Newton's three laws of motion
c.
Systems of units, definitions of force, mass, weight
d.
Gravitation, frames of reference
e.
Friction
Conservation of energy
a.
Work
b.
Kinetic and potential energy
c.
Simple machines, efficiency, power,
Conservation of momentum
a.
Newton's Second Law in terms of momentum
b.
Conservation of momentum
c.
Elastic and inelastic impact, energy changes
d.
Center of mass and center of gravity
Chabot College
Course outline for Physics 2A, page 3
Fall 2010
Course Content (continued):
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Rotational motion
a.
Terminology and notation of angular quantities
b.
Uniform circular motion
c.
Central forces
d.
Rotational inertia, conservation of angular momentum
e.
Linear, rotational analogies
f.
Rotational equilibrium of a rigid body
Fluids
a.
Statics, pressure, Pascal's principle, Archimedes's principle
b.
Dynamics, Bernoulli's equation, viscosity
Thermodynamics
a.
Ideal gases
b.
Kinetic theory
c.
Conduction, convection, radiation
d.
Laws of thermodynamics
Vibrations and waves
a.
Simple harmonic motion
b.
Longitudinal and transverse waves
c.
sound
Electrostatics
a.
Coulombs law
b.
Electric potential and potential energy
c.
Capacitors
Course Content (Laboratory):
1.
Laboratory experiments, simulations, and activities exploring the lecture content that may include
the following concepts:
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Kinematics in one dimension (Determination of “g”, Measuring Velocities & Accelerations)
Vectors
Kinematics in three dimensions (Projectile Motion)
Dynamics - Newton's Laws (Force Tables, Atwood’s Machine; Friction,, Drag Coefficients
and centripetal force measurements)
Work and energy
Conservation of energy
Systems of particles
Collisions (Conservation of Linear Momenta, Ballistic Pendulum)
Kinematics of a rigid body (Rolling, Moment of Inertia)
Dynamics of a rigid body (Torque, Angular acceleration, Conservation of Angular Momenta)
Static equilibrium of a rigid body
Gravitation
Oscillations (Hooke’s Law)
Archimedes law (hydrostatics)
Bernoulli's Tubes (Fluid dynamics)
Pressure gauge measurement of the absolute OK temperature of a gas
Linear expansion
Calorimetry
Thermal conductivity
Longitudinal sound waves in tubes and resonance
Transverse standing waves on strings
Properties of electric charges
Motion of a point charge in an uniform electric field
Chabot College
Course Outline For Physics 2A, page 4
Fall 2010
2.
Experimental Technique, Manual and Computerized Collection and Analysis of Data,
Error Analysis
Methods of Presentation:
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Lecture-discussion.
Problem solving.
Demonstrations.
Laboratory experimentation.
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
Typical Assignments
Subject to instructor discretion:
a.
Weekly homework/question set: 10+ discussion and/or numerical problems taken from the
textbook and online homework systems. Example: A bullet of mass m = 0.0050 kg and
speed v = 266 m/s is fired into a wooden block of mass M = 3.2 kg sitting on the bottom of
an inclined plane making an angle of 30 degrees with the horizontal. The initial velocity of
the bullet is parallel to the inclined plane. The bullet embeds itself into the wooden block.
The coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and plane is 0.20, Use conservation of
moment and energy to find the height h the block and bullet rise before momentarily coming
to rest. Hint: Use conservation of momentum first. Then use conservation of energy after
the collision. Extra Credit. Redo the problem assuming the bullet’s initial velocity is along
the horizontal. Explain the difference in height h in this case.
b.
Laboratory reports (individual and group), including computer-based data acquisition and
analysis. Example 1: Determine the acceleration due to earth’s gravitational force with
three different free-fall methods: Timed free-fall, spark tape, and Vernier computerized data
acquisition. Explore the use of graphs and equations for distance vs. time, and velocity vs.
time, to determine “g”, the earth’s gravitational acceleration. Master the difference between
precision - measuring carefully and accounting for uncertainty in your measurement - and
accuracy - measuring correctly and coming close to the “right” answer. Example 2:
Determine the centripetal acceleration of a mass using two methods: (i) Dynamically, by
attaching the mass to a spring and spinning it in a horizontal circle (ii) Statically, by
measuring the weight required to stretch the spring by the same amount. Compare the two
methods using a discrepancy test.
c.
Written assignments that encourage critical thinking and writing skills by including essays
which involve analytical reasoning; Special exercise worksheets; computer simulations and
tutorials; individual and group activities, research papers, long-term individual and group
projects. Possible example: Research an application of physics related to a topic from the
class, and write a 5+ page paper, including at least 5 current outside references.
d.
Participation in email and web-based instruction, discussion, homework assignments,
and tutorials, including web-based research on topics dealing with physics and its
applications to technology.
2.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
a.
Homework
b.
Quizzes
Written Laboratory reports (individual and group) based on the Physics Department
Laboratory Standards and graded on criteria that may include the following:
1.
Description of experimental procedures
2.
Completeness of data collected
3.
Quality of data collected
4.
Computational precision and accuracy
5.
Accuracy and precision of experimental laboratory results
6.
Proper use of symbolic notation
Chabot College
Course outline for Physcis 2A, page 5
Fall 2010
c.
d.
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Quality of analysis of scientific principles explored
8.
Quality of narrative explanations and reasoning
9.
Representation of data in tables or diagrams
10.
Evaluation of the experiment overall, including accuracy and error
Midterm examinations
Final examination
Research papers
Student projects
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Physics, Principles with Applications, Giancoli, Pearson/Addison Wesley , 2009
Special Student Materials:
None.