Course title and description: Principles of Physics I-II (4 credits each semester). Covers fundamental principles of Physics. Includes mechanics, thermodynamics, wave phenomena, electricity and magnetism, and selected topics in modern Physics. Prerequisites are one year of high school algebra or equivalent. A concurrent course in college algebra and trigonometry is recommended. Lecture 3 hours per week, laboratory 3 hours per week. Total 6 hours per week.
The broad goals to be achieved by students in the course include the following:
Specific objectivesUnderstanding through direct experience, experiment, syntax and mathematical formulation
the meaning of velocity, acceleration, force, work and energy, momentum, angular momentum and thermal energy
rotational motion, the motion of rigid bodies, gravitational forces, simple harmonic motion, wave motion
vector models of: the forces on a system; of velocity, acceleration and momentum in two or more dimensions; and quantities associated with angular velocity and momentum
the conservation laws for energy, momentum and angular velocity
Understanding the meaning of the validation of a hypothesis by an experiment, and the precision to which the hypothesis is validated
Development of the ability to analyze and solve complex problems
In addition to these course-specific goals, the following general education goals will be accomplished:
General Education Goals
Students will become proficient with computerized mathematical software, cooperative learning in both synchronous and asynchronous situation, written communication of scientific concepts and procedures, and the scientific method in practice.
Each assigned task and problem constitutes a specific objective, which is to complete that problem or task and understand as fully as possible its relationship to the stated goals of the assignment and to other concepts, problems and situations encountered in the course.
In addition to the above, the following specific objectives will be accomplished in relation to the specified activities, or to equivalent activities. These objectives comprise approximately 80% of the course:
Objectives:
Conceptualize and analyze numerically, graphically and symbolically the behavior of the following, generalize your understanding and analysis as much as possible, and solve problems utilizing this knowledge, within the context of the following situations, relations, problems and tasks:
1. The proportionality behavior of sand piles and light intensities from various sources.
2. The circular definitions of the sine and cosine functions.
3. The process of obtaining approximate flow rates from volume or mass quantites observed with respect to time. (241: The meaning and use of derivatives of functions modeling the amount vs. time).
4. The process of obtaining approximate changes in volume or mass quantities from flow rates observed with respect to time. (241: The meaning and use of integrals of functions modeling flow rates).
5. The processes of determining approximate rates from amount vs. time data and approximate changes in amount from rate vs. time data. (241: The meaning and use of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus).
Activities 1,2: Measurement of Uniformly Accelerated Motion; Measurement of Nonuniformly Accelerated Motion
Objectives:
Conceptualize and analyze numerically, graphically and symbolically the behavior of the following, generalize your understanding and analysis as much as possible, and solve problems utilizing this knowledge, within the context of the following situations, relations, problems and tasks:
1. From time and position measurements infer linear and angular velocities and accelerations. (241: From functions modeling position vs. time obtain functions modeling velocity and acceleration vs. time).
2. Situations involving the relationships among initial, average and final linear and angular velocities for situations involving uniform and nonuniform acceleration. (241: The relationship between average velocity, average of initial and final velocities, and uniform or nonuniform acceleration functions).
3. Situations involving the relationships among initial and final linear and angular velocities, acceleration, time intervals and displacements.
Activity 3. Measurement of Restoring Forces on and Motion of a Pendulum
Objectives:
Conceptualize and analyze numerically, graphically and symbolically the behavior of the following, generalize your understanding and analysis as much as possible, and solve problems utilizing this knowledge, within the context of the following situations, relations, problems and tasks:
1. Force vs. displacement for a pendulum, as related to pendulum length and mass.
2. Work done in displacing a pendulum from equilibrium to a known position (after Activity 8).
3. Velocity vs. time and acceleration vs. time of a pendulum as inferred from position vs. time data. (241: Relationship to the derivatives of periodic functions).
4. The proportionalities relating frequency to pendulum length and period to pendulum length.
Activity 4. Relationship between Force and Acceleration
Objectives:
Conceptualize and analyze numerically, graphically and symbolically the behavior of the following, generalize your understanding and analysis as much as possible, and solve problems utilizing this knowledge, within the context of the following situations, relations, problems and tasks:
1. The effects of what we call forces.
2. Inference of force vs. acceleration from data for force vs. incline and acceleration vs. incline.
3. The process of establishing the relationship among force, mass and acceleration for an object on an incline and for a system accelerated by an unbalanced gravitational force.
4. Inference of gravitational acceleration at infinite slope.
5. Measurement of gravitational acceleration.
Activity 5. Vectors
Objectives:
Conceptualize and analyze numerically, graphically and symbolically the behavior of the following, generalize your understanding and analysis as much as possible, and solve problems utilizing this knowledge, within the context of the following situations, relations, problems and tasks:
1. Replacement of a vector by its components in any given rectangular coordinate system.
2. Computation of vector components from magnitude and angle and computation of vector magnitude and angle from components.
3. The vector nature of forces, displacements, velocities and accelerations.
4. (241: Dot and cross products)
Activities 6,7. Forces
Objectives:
1. Given a situation involving known and unknown forces and constraints, determine the unknown individual forces acting within the system and/or the net force on a given object.
Activities 8,9. Potential and kinetic energies; energy conservation
Objectives:
Conceptualize and analyze numerically, graphically and symbolically the behavior of the following, generalize your understanding and analysis as much as possible, and solve problems utilizing this knowledge, within the context of the following situations, relations, problems and tasks:
1. Systems involving work and the exchange of kinetic and gravitational or elastic potential energies, and dissipation of energy. (241: Determining the work done by a nonconstant force modeled by a function of position).
2. The specific relationship between work and kinetic energy change in the absence of potential energy changes or dissipation of energy.
3. The specific relationship between work and elastic or gravitational potential energy in the absence of kinetic energy changes or dissipation of energy. Fulfill Activity 3, Objective 2.
Activity 10. Impulse, Momentum, Conservation of Momentum
Objectives:
Conceptualize and analyze numerically, graphically and symbolically the behavior of the following, generalize your understanding and analysis as much as possible, and solve problems utilizing this knowledge, within the context of the following situations, relations, problems and tasks:
1. The difference between the effects of impulse F dt and work F ds on the motion of an object.
2. Relationships among average force, momentum changes and time intervals. (241: Net force as the time derivative of momentum).
3. The relationship between Newton's Third Law and conservation of momentum.
4. Situations involving elastic and inelastic collisions in one or more dimensions. (241: coefficients of restitution)
Activity 11. Projectiles and circular motion
Objectives:
Conceptualize and analyze numerically, graphically and symbolically the behavior of the following, generalize your understanding and analysis as much as possible, and solve problems utilizing this knowledge, within the context of the following situations, relations, problems and tasks:
1. Independence of the vertical and horizontal motion of projectiles.
2. Motion of a projectile given initial velocity and vertical position relative to landing point.
3. Initial velocity inferred from range and other variables.
4. Centripetal acceleration
5. (241: the effects of viscous drag forces)
Activities 12, 13: Torques and rotation; Momentum and Energy in Rotation
Objectives:
Conceptualize and analyze numerically, graphically and symbolically the behavior of the following, generalize your understanding and analysis as much as possible, and solve problems utilizing this knowledge, within the context of the following situations, relations, problems and tasks:
1. Torques and the condition of rotational equilibrium.
2. Find the center of mass of a given collection of masses (241: includes continuous mass distributions).
3. Conversion of gravitational potential energy to rotational kinetic energy.
4. Calculate the moment of inertia of a given collection of masses constrained to rotate about a given point (241: includes continuous mass distributions).
5. Establish the connection between Newton's Second Law and its angular form, and particularly the connection between mass and moment of inertia.
6. Explain the connection between Newton's Third Law and conservation of angular momentum, and how conservation of angular momentum is not equivalent to conservation of momentum.
Activity 13. Gravitation
Objectives:
Conceptualize and analyze numerically, graphically and symbolically the behavior of the following, generalize your understanding and analysis as much as possible, and solve problems utilizing this knowledge, within the context of the following situations, relations, problems and tasks:
1. The idea of gravitational flux, analogous to luminous flux, and the analogical connection to Newton's inverse square law of universal gravitation.
2. The mechanics of circular orbits; especially the derivation of the relation between orbital radius and velocity.
3. Conservation of angular momentum and Kepler's Laws.
4. Potential energy in changing gravitational fields, terminal velocity, total energy of an orbit. (241: determining exact values by integration).
Activity 14. Simple Harmonic Motion
Objectives:
Conceptualize and analyze numerically, graphically and symbolically the behavior of the following, generalize your understanding and analysis as much as possible, and solve problems utilizing this knowledge, within the context of the following situations, relations, problems and tasks:
1. The conditions required for simple harmonic motion.
2. Relationships among mass, restoring force constant and angular frequency. (241: derivation of these relationships).
3. Graphical and circular models of simple harmonic motion and their relationship.
4. Energy relationships in simple harmonic motion; derivation of velocity vs. position relation.
5. The position, velocity and acceleration functions of time, and their relation to the graphical and circular models. (241: derivation of velocity and acceleration functions).
Activity 15. Waves I (Waves II 2d semester)
Objectives:
Conceptualize and analyze numerically, graphically and symbolically the behavior of the following, generalize your understanding and analysis as much as possible, and solve problems utilizing this knowledge, within the context of the following situations, relations, problems and tasks:
1. Relationships among wave velocity, frequency, wavelength, density of medium, tension of medium, amplitude, energy and period.
2. Nature of reflection at boundaries of various types and the formation of standing waves between two points.
3. Determining wavelengths of the harmonics of a standing wave given boundary conditions.
4. Determining frequencies of harmonics from wavelengths and propagation velocity.
Required course materials are listed at
http://vhcc2.vhcc.edu/dsmith/geninfo/frames_init_info/materials_121_50.htm
All assignments, as well as instructions for lab activities, will be posted on the homepage. Additional materials will be distributed DVD's and/or online.
Areas to be CoveredThe course will include an in-depth coverage of text Chapters 1-12, with supplementary experiments, problem sets and other materials.
Topics will include:
- Kinematics in one and two dimensions
- Dynamics
- Work and Energy
- Gravitation
- Linear Momentum
- Rotational Motion
- Equilibrium and Elasticity
- Fluid statics and dynamics
- Vibrations, wave motion and sound
Experiments and computerized problem sets will be integrated with the text.
Instructional methodsClasses will constitute a combination of lecture, problem solving, group work laboratory work. Problem assignments are to be submitted electronically, according to instructions to be given in class.
Grading policyApproximately three tests and a cumulative final examination will be given. The final exam will be weighted as two tests (see weighting below).
A grade will be given on assigned work, based on the student's final mastery of the assignment as evidenced by the initial attempt and followup work based on the critiques received by the student. The average of grades assigned on this work will count as half of a test grade, or approximately 10% of the grade in the course.
Labs must be completed as assigned. The lab average will constitute 25% of the grade for the course.
Both the lab average and the weighted average on tests and exams must be passing in order for a student to receive a grade of C or better.
Raw test and exam scores will be normalized to the following scale, according to the difficulty of the test, as specified in advance of each test by the instructor:
A: 90 - 100
B: 80 - 90
C: 70 - 80
D: 60 - 70
F: Less than 60.
The final grade will be a weighted average of test and exam grades, grades on homework and the lab grade. A summary of the weighting is as follows:
Major Quiz (Physics I only): Weight 0.5 or 1.0, whichever is to the advantage of the student.
Test #1: Weight 1.0
Test #2: Weight 1.0
Test #3 (Physics II only): Weight 1.0
Test #4 (Physics II only): Weight 1.0
Final Exam (Physics I only): Weight 1.0 or 2.0, whichever is to the advantage of the student.
Score on Problems and Questions: Weight 0.5.
Lab Grade: Lab grade is 25% of course grade. Both lab average and the average of all other contributions must both be passing in order to receive a grade of at least C.
In the event of a college-wide emergency
In the event of a College-wide emergency, course requirements, classes, deadlines, and grading schemes are subject to changes that may include alternative delivery methods, alternative methods of interaction with the instructor, class materials, and/or classmates, a revised attendance policy, and a revised semester calendar and/or grading scheme.
In the case of a College-wide emergency, please submit questions and/or refer to the following about changes in this course:
Your email
Blackboard Supervised Study site
Instructor’s email dsmith@vhcc.edu (however, you should use your access page for the most reliable responses)
The Question Form at http://vhcc2.vhcc.edu/dsmith/forms/question_form.htm
For more general information about the emergency situation, please refer to:
· Web site - www.vhcc.edu
· Telephone Number - 276-739-2400
· Emergency Text Messaging or Phone System- Virginia Highlands Community College uses VHCC Alert to immediately contact you during a major crisis or emergency. VHCC Alert delivers important emergency alerts, notifications and updates to you on your E-mail account (work, home, other), cell phone, pager or smartphone/PDA (BlackBerry, Treo & other handhelds). VHCC Alert is a free service offered by VHCC. Your wireless carrier may charge you a fee to receive messages on your wireless device. VHCC will test the alert system each semester. Register online at alert.vhcc.edu or by sending a text message to 411911 keyword: VHCC
In the event of an emergency just regarding this class, the instructor will contact all students via email, and may post information to your access site. You should check both email and your access site.