Course Overview: Elements of Physics

This course provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of physics, focusing on Newtonian mechanics, properties of matter, heat transfer, waves, electricity, and magnetism. It is designed for students seeking a conceptual understanding of physics principles and their applications in everyday life.

Course Structure and Logistics

• Course Title: Elements of Physics

• Course Number: PHY 100

• Credit Hours: 4

• Lecture Hours: 3 per week

• Lab Hours: 3 per week

• Textbook: Conceptual Physics by Hewitt, 13th Edition

• Instructor: Kevin Mitchell

• Location: UCT3 Room 0512, Chesapeake Campus

Topics Covered in This Course

• Newton's Three Laws

• Linear Motion

• Energy

• Rotational Motion

• Fluids

• Temperature, Heat, and Heat Transfer

• Vibrations and Waves

• Electrostatics

• Electric Current

Key Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Compute the net force on an object when all forces are listed.

• Apply Newton's laws to solve problems involving motion and forces.

• Distinguish between kinetic and potential energy, and use the work-energy principle.

• Analyze the relationship between action and reaction forces.

• Describe the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy.

• Identify and explain laboratory data.

• Analyze what happens to the force between two charged particles when their separation is doubled.

• Determine the current in a circuit when the resistance and voltage are known.

• Analyze and graph laboratory data.

General Education Core Competencies Supported

• Quantitative Literacy: Ability to perform accurate calculations, interpret quantitative information, and apply mathematical reasoning to solve problems.

• Scientific Literacy: Ability to apply the scientific method, analyze and interpret data, and evaluate scientific information.

Major Physics Topics and Concepts

Newton's Laws of Motion

Newton's laws form the foundation of classical mechanics, describing the relationship between forces and the motion of objects.

• First Law (Law of Inertia): An object at rest remains at rest, and an object in motion remains in motion at constant velocity unless acted upon by a net external force.

• Second Law: The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass.

• Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Linear Motion

Linear motion refers to the movement of an object along a straight path. Key quantities include displacement, velocity, and acceleration.

• Displacement: Change in position of an object.

• Velocity: Rate of change of displacement.

• Acceleration: Rate of change of velocity.

Energy

Energy is the capacity to do work. It exists in various forms, such as kinetic and potential energy.

• Kinetic Energy: Energy of motion.

• Potential Energy: Stored energy due to position.

• Work-Energy Principle: The work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy.

Rotational Motion

Rotational motion involves objects rotating about an axis. Key concepts include angular velocity, angular acceleration, and torque.

• Torque: A measure of the force that can cause an object to rotate about an axis.

Fluids

Fluids are substances that flow, such as liquids and gases. Important properties include density, pressure, and buoyancy.

• Density: Mass per unit volume.

• Buoyant Force: Upward force exerted by a fluid on a submerged object.

Temperature, Heat, and Heat Transfer

These concepts describe the energy associated with the motion of particles and the transfer of energy between objects.

• Temperature: Measure of the average kinetic energy of particles.

• Heat: Energy transferred due to temperature difference.

• Specific Heat: Amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1°C.

Vibrations and Waves

Waves are disturbances that transfer energy from one place to another. Vibrations are periodic motions about an equilibrium point.

• Frequency: Number of cycles per second (Hz).

• Wavelength: Distance between successive crests of a wave.

• Wave Speed: Product of frequency and wavelength.

Electrostatics

Electrostatics deals with stationary electric charges and the forces between them.

• Coulomb's Law: The force between two point charges is proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Electric Current

Electric current is the flow of electric charge. It is measured in amperes (A).

• Ohm's Law: The current through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two points and inversely proportional to the resistance.

Course Schedule (Sample Weeks)

Assessment and Grading

• Tests (Drop Lowest): 45%

• Quizzes: 10%

• Participation/Attendance: 10%

• Labs (50% lab, 50% lab final exam): 25%

• Mastering Physics: 10%

Course Policies and Expectations

• Attendance is required for both lectures and labs. Missing more than 3 labs may result in failing the course.

• Late work and make-up exams are only allowed with prior notification and approval.

• Electronic devices must be silenced during class and labs.

• Academic integrity is expected; plagiarism and cheating are not tolerated.

• Students with disabilities should contact the Office of Educational Accessibility for accommodations.

Additional Resources

• Instructor Site

• Library Site

Additional info: This syllabus provides a comprehensive overview of the course structure, topics, and expectations for a college-level conceptual physics course. For detailed content on each topic, refer to the assigned textbook and lecture materials.