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Syllabus
General Physics W/Calc I
PH 105 Section 050
Summer 2015, Lecture
Dr. Patrick Leclair
Prerequisites
Course Description
How do we describe the motion of objects around us, and the forces that act on them? How do cars stay on those steep turns at Talladega? Why do the planets have the orbits they do? Did you know that a shell casing hits the ground at the same time the bullet does? These sorts of questions and more are the domain of classical mechanics, which describes everything from projectiles to machinery to spacecraft, stars, and planets amazingly well. Classical mechanics also provides a basis for the study of most "modern" subjects in physics, including quantum mechanics, general relativity, astrophysics, and elementary particle physics to name a few.
In PH105, we aim first to provide you with the fundamental physics background to understand the world in motion around you, and then use that background to delve into momentum, energy, oscillations, thermal processes, fluid mechanics, and more. Compared to PH101, the mathematical sophistication will be much greater.
PH 105 is our first calculus-based introduction to physics, and is aimed at students who desire (or require) a detailed working physics background, particularly calculations and problem solving. Laboratory experiments will augment lecture- and discussion-based learning, and introduce students to key experimental techniques and analysis. The course will stress a conceptual and mathematical understanding of everyday phenomena in terms of their basic underlying physical principles. Broadly, the course material can be grouped into the following areas:
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Student Learning Outcomes
- Course goals and objectives
- Upon completion of this course you should have a basic understanding of classical mechanics for both discrete and continuous systems and thermodynamics. A good understanding of this material forms the background necessary for enrollment in PH 106 or PH 126. Expected learning outcomes include but are not limited to the following:
- General learning outcomes for 100- and 200-level physics courses:
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Scientific method:
Students will understand the scientific method and critically evaluate scientific information. -
Effective teamwork:
Students will develop skills in working together in team activities.
- Course-specific learning outcomes:
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Conceptual understanding of Newton's laws:
Students understand concepts that require knowledge of Newton's laws of motion, and use Newton's laws to formulate a solution to physical problems. -
Conceptual understanding of conservation laws:
Students understand concepts that require knowledge of conservation laws, and use them to formulate a solution to physical problems. -
Analysis of circular motion and oscillations:
Students will solve problems involving analysis of circular and oscillatory motion of objects. -
Knowledge of continuous systems:
Students will understand how to extend physical principles for discrete systems to describe the physical behavior of continuous systems. -
Knowledge of thermodynamics:
Students will solve problems which require knowledge of the three laws of thermodynamics.
Required Texts
Other Course Materials
Notes, example homework/exam problems and solutions, etc., may be found here:
http://faculty.mint.ua.edu/~pleclair/ph105/
You may also find my related course material useful:
http://faculty.mint.ua.edu/~pleclair/ph125/
http://faculty.mint.ua.edu/~pleclair/ph101/
There is also a course blog at http://ph105.blogspot.com/ which features atom/rss feeds, and anonymous comments. Online calendar (Google Calendar) also available.
The (free) online Feynman Lectures on Physics are also a great supplemental text.
http://www.feynmanlectures.info
While lacking in example problems, the explanations and reasoning given are masterful. During the first class we will provide a list linking the textbook chapters with those in the Feynman lectures so you will know where to find relevant supplemental reading.
Outline of Topics
May
T26 Intro / 1D motion
W27 1D motion / 2D motion | uncertainty analysis; diagnostic exam
R28 2D motion | 1D motion, free-fall
F29 Motion along arbitrary paths / misc.
June
M 1 Force & motion 1 | 2nd law experiment
T 2 Force & motion 1/2
W 3 Force & motion 2 | friction lab
R 4 KE and work | Exam 1
F 5 KE and work / PE and CoE
M 8 PE and CoE | momentum
T 9 Center of mass & momentum
W10 Rotation / rolling, torque, angular momentum | TBD
R11 Rolling, torque, angular momentum / equilibrium & elasticity | Exam 2
F12 Gravitation
M15 Oscillations | Simple Harmonic Motion
T16 Waves 1
W17 Waves 2 | standing waves
R18 Temperature, heat, first law | Exam 3
F19 Fluids
M22 Kinetic theory | calorimetry
T23 2nd law / END
W24 Final exam / 12-1:45pm
Extra Credit Opportunities
Unlikely, but not out of the question.
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Disability Statement
If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss any course accommodations that may be necessary.
If you have a disability, but have not contacted the Office of Disability Services, please call (205) 348-4285 (Voice) or (205) 348-3081 (TTY) or visit 133-B Martha Parham Hall East to register for services. Students who may need course adaptations because of a disability are welcome to make an appointment to see me during office hours. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services, 133-B Martha Parham Hall East, before receiving academic adjustments.
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See the Code of Student Conduct for more information.
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