Physics - PHYS 211

Course Description

This first semester, calculus-based course is designed for engineering students and science majors. Traditional topics of kinematics, dynamics, energy, fluids, heat and sound are investigated through lecture demonstrations, simulations and laboratory work.

Prerequisites

(A requirement that must be completed before taking this course.)

Course Competencies

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Analyze the motion of an object in terms of its position, velocity and acceleration.
• Analyze a system's mechanics using Newton's Laws of Motion.
• Organize forces using a free body diagram.
• Analyze a system's mechanics using conservation of energy.
• Analyze collisions using both conservation of energy and conservation of momentum.
• Analyze simple harmonic motion.
• Analyze orbital motion of satellites using Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation.
• Use the principle of superposition to explain various wave phenomena.
• Assign the appropriate SI unit to a physical characteristic.
• Use significant figures when reporting calculated values.
• Classify a physical quantity either as a scalar or a vector.
• Change between polar and Cartesian vector notation.
• Add two vectors graphically and algebraically.
• Use computer simulation to model motion.
• Use a Vernier caliper.
• Use DataStudio for data acquisition.
• Develop data tables and graphs to portray the results of experimental data collection.
• Use curve fitting to analyze data.
• Identify sources of experimental error.
• Compare measured results from an experiment with calculated values derived from a mathematical model.
• Develop a conclusion based on analysis of experimental data.

Course Schedule