Degrees, Certificates, & Transfer Programs

Description -

Lectures, demonstrations, and problems in mechanics; properties of matter.

Course Objectives -

1. Explain basic kinematics and solve related problems.
2. Apply Newtonian dynamics and the three laws of motion.
3. Explain work, energy and power and solve related problems.
4. Derive momentum and impulse and apply these concepts to problems.
5. Apply their understanding of mechanics to rotational cases.
6. Apply their understanding of mechanics to the standard introductory topics of oscillators and universal gravity.
7. Assess the limitations of physical laws and make mathematical approximations in appropriate situations.
8. Discuss how physical laws are established and the role of scientific evidence as support.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment -

1. Physics laboratory with equipment for teaching introductory mechanics.
2. When taught via Foothill Global Access, on-going access to computer with email software and hardware; email address.

 

Course Content (Body of knowledge) -

1. Explain basic kinematics and solve related problems
1. Concept of position
2. Concept of velocity
1. Average velocity
2. Instantaneous velocity
3. Concept of acceleration
1. Average acceleration
2. Instantaneous acceleration
4. Problems featuring constant acceleration
5. Falling body problems
6. Motion in two or three dimensions
1. Position, velocity and acceleration as vectors
2. Projectile motion
3. Motion in a circle
2. Apply Newtonian dynamics and the three laws of motion
1. Concept of a force
2. Newton's first law
3. Newton's second law
1. The difference between mass and weight
2. Free body diagrams
4. Newton's third law
5. Special forces
1. The spring force
2. Friction
3. The centripetal force
3. Explain work, energy and power and solve related problems
1. The definition of work
1. Work in one dimension as a result of a constant force
2. Work in one dimension as a result of a non-constant force
3. Work when the displacement and force are not in one dimension
2. Kinetic energy
1. Derivation from Newton's second law
2. The work-energy theorem
3. Power
4. Potential energy
1. Derivation from work
2. Gravitational potential energy
3. Spring potential energy
4. Conservation of energy
1. Conservative and nonconservative forces
2. Conservation of energy-type problems with friction
4. Derive momentum and impulse and apply these concepts to problems
1. Conservation of momentum from Newton's third law
2. Definition of impulse
3. Elastic and inelastic collisions
4. The center of mass
5. Apply their understanding of mechanics to rotational cases
1. Definitions of angular position, velocity and acceleration
1. Cases with constant angular acceleration
2. Relationship between linear and angular motion
2. Energy considerations in rotational motion
3. The moment of inertia
1. Moment of inertia for collections of point particles
2. Moments of inertia for extended bodies
3. The parallel axis theorem
4. Torque
5. Angular momentum
6. Apply their understanding of mechanics to the standard introductory topics of oscillators and universal gravity
1. Statics
1. Equilibrium
2. Center of gravity
2. Oscillators
1. Simple harmonic motion
1. Spring and a mass
2. Pendula
3. Damped oscillators
4. Forced oscillators
5. Resonance
3. Universal gravitation
1. Newton's law of gravitation
2. Gravitational potential energy
3. Kepler's laws
1. Historical development
2. Motion of satellites
7. Assess the limitations of physical laws and make mathematical approximations in appropriate situations
1. Physical laws as ideal models
2. Methods of approximation
8. Discuss how physical laws are established and the role of scientific evidence as support
1. Historical development of a sampling of physical laws
2. Use of student-collected data in labs to confirm physical laws

Methods of Evaluation -

1. Weekly assignments
2. Mid-term test
3. Laboratory
4. Final examination

Representative Text(s) -

Disciplines -

Method of Instruction -

1. Lecture
2. Discussion
3. Cooperative learning exercises
4. Oral presentations
5. Laboratory
6. Demonstration

Lab Content -

1. Suggested laboratory experiments (most experiments should rely on data generated by student's measurements of physical phenomena):
1. Measurements and experimental errors
2. Gravitational acceleration
3. Newton's second law of motion
4. Concurrent forces in equilibrium
5. Uniform circular motion
6. Conservation of energy
7. Collisions and conservation of momentum
8. Torque and center of mass
9. Hooke's law and simple harmonic motion
10. Archimedes' principle
11. Moment of inertia of a solid disk and ring
12. Experimental design

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing and Outside of Class Assignments -

1. Homework problems: Homework problems covering subject matter from text and related material ranging from 10-40 problems per week. Students will need to employ critical thinking in order to complete assignments.
2. Lecture: Four hours per week of lecture covering subject matter from text and related material. Reading and study of the textbook, related materials and notes.
3. Labs: Students will perform experiments and discuss their results in either the form of a written lab report or via oral examination. Reading and understanding the lab manual prior to class is essential to success.