Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division: Technology
Course Prefix and number: TPHY 103
Course Title: Technical Physics I
DATE PREPARED:
May, 1996
DATE REVISED: January, 2002
PCS/CIP/ID NO:
1.2-400801
IAI NO. (if available):
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS:
CREDIT HOURS: 4
CONTACT HOURS:
LECTURE HOURS: 3
2
LABORATORY HOURS:
CATALOG DESCRIPTION (Include specific prerequisites):
Prerequisite: TMAT 103 or completion of Math through Intermediate Algebra Level 2, or
assessment. This is a first course in technical physics. Topics include statics, motion, Newton's
Laws, forces, simple machines, properties of materials, thermodynamics, and electricity. A two
hour laboratory exercise per week will reinforce the lecture material.
TEXTBOOKS:
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
This course is intended for students in technical programs who need a proficiency in physics as it
relates to technical or occupational skills.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes):
This is a general course in technical physics with an emphasis on practical applications. The
course is intended as a survey of basic physics concepts as related to their technical applications
in the industrial setting. By the end of the first semester, students will have developed an
understanding of each of the topics covered. This will be accomplished through discussion of
physics concepts and solving problems using equations at the end of each chapter. A laboratory
exercise each week will reinforce the material from each chapter and show how to collect and
analyze data. The course topics include:
(1) Statics: using vectors to solve problems
(2) Motion in one and two dimensions
(3) Applications of Newton=s Laws of Motion
(4) Forces - effects of gravity and friction
(5) Simple Machines - examples from everyday life
(6) Properties of Materials
(7) Thermodynamics: heat, heat transfer, and heat engines
(8) Electricity: DC circuits
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
1. Measurement and the Metric System
2. Mathematical Review
3. Statics and Equilibrium
4. Motion: Description and Analysis
5. Motion in a Plane
6. Newton's Law of Motion
7. Forces: Gravity and Friction
8. Work, Energy, and Power
9. Simple Machines
10. Mechanical Properties of Materials
11. Temperature and Heat
12. Thermal Properties of Materials
13. Thermodynamics, Heat Engines, and Heat Pumps
14. Electrostatics
15. Capacitance and Dielectrics
16. Current, Resistance, and Power
17. Basic DC Circuits
TOPICAL OUTLINE FOR LABS:
1. Simple measurements and data collection
2. Adding vectors
3. Motion in one direction
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Motion in a plane
Determination of "g" for freely falling objects
Friction force
Work and energy
Simple machines - calculating some IMA's
Specific heat
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Thermal expansion
Heat engines
Static electricity
Simple DC circuits
Series and parallel circuits
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
The final grade will be based upon exams, homework, written lab reports, and class participation
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
Reading assignments from the required text will be made weekly. In general, students should
have read the assignment in advance of the lecture.