Chabot College
Fall 2002
Replaced 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, energy, 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:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
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21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
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 2002
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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.
Course Content:
Lecture:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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 2002
Course Content (continued):
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
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
Lab:
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Measuring instruments: meter stick, mass scale, vernier calipers, micrometers, graduated cylinders
Air tracks for kinematics, dynamics, and momentum conservation experiments
Spark timer for gravitational acceleration measurement
Interactive Physics software (offline) and Java Applets (online) for laboratory simulations
Vector force table
Projectile motion launchers for 2-D kinematics and momentum conservation
Centripetal force instrument
Hooke's law and simple harmonic oscillation spring
Rotational kinematics and dynamics
Torsion spring for torque measurement and rotational dynamics
Static equilibrium measurement
Archimedes law (hydrostatics)
Bernoulli's Tubes (Fluid dynamics)
Pressure gauge measurement of the absolute OK temperature of a gas
Linear expansion measurements
Calorimetry measurements
Thermal conductivity experiment
Longitudinal sound waves in tubes and resonance measurements
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 2002
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lecture-discussion.
Problem solving.
Demonstrations.
Laboratory experimentation.
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
Typical Assignments
a.
Weekly homework/question sets
b.
Laboratory reports (individual and group), including computer-based data acquisition and
analysis
c.
Special exercise worksheets, problem review, and compute simulations and tutorials; both
individual and group activities and research papers.
d.
Participation in email and web-based instruction, discussion and tutorials. Internet research
on topics dealing with physics and its applications to technology
2.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a.
Quizzes
b.
Examinations
c.
Laboratory experiment reports
d.
Final examination
Textbook(s) (Typical):
College Physics (Technology Version), Serway & Faughn, Saunders Publishers, 2000
Special Student Materials:
None.
Revised: 2/7/02