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COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF BALTIMORE COUNTY
Catonsville Campus
Division of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering
Department of Physics, Astronomy, Earth Science, and Geography

Fundamentals of Physics I is a first semester course in the basic principles of physics for students who are not expecting to major in either engineering or the physical sciences. It is an introduction to the phenomena, concepts, and theories of classical physics including the following topics: Newtonian mechanics, kinematics, dynamics, momentum, energy, and heat. The course demands a mathematical knowledge of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Students who are unsure of their math skills are advised to consult the mathematics department for assessment testing. In addition, reading and writing prerequisites described in the college catalog are assumed.


SECTIONS: A, B and C
SEMESTER: Spring, 2002

COURSE MEETING DAYS AND TIMES:
Section A & B: Tuesday, Thursday 9:20 - 10:45 AM
Section C: Monday, Wednesday 5:30 - 6:55 PM


INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Robert Sopka
OFFICE LOCATION: Room: D-105
TELEPHONE: 410-455-6931 (my office) or 410-455-4560 (department office)
E-MAIL ADDRESS: rsopka@ccbc.cc.md.us (copy to rsopka@wexis.com)
HOME PAGE: http://neors.cat.cc.md.us/~sopka
OFFICE HOURS:

I am usually in or around my office during the following times. It is best however to call ahead or tell me after class that you want to meet.
Monday, Wednesday12:00 - 1:00 PM
Monday, Wednesday5:00 - 5:30 PM
Thursday11:00 - 12:00 PM
Other hours available by appointment!


CRITICAL DATES/ASSIGNMENTS/ACTIVITIES: Pre-determined examination and quiz dates for the semester are not possible because they will depend upon how the calendar and the class schedule agree as time goes by. However, you will find in the Outline of Topics (later in this document) where the exams fit into our sequence of topics and all testing activities will be formally announced at least one week prior to the event.

HOMEWORK: Problems and other exercises will be assigned on a weekly basis. This is the single most important mechanism by which you will learn the material and your efforts should focus on these problems.

Each week, a quiz will be given on the problems that have been assigned. Depending on the time schedule, somewhere between 10 and 13 quizzes will be given. The lowest is dropped at the end of the semester and, for this reason, there is no make-up for missed quizzes. The total of these quizzes will constitute 15% of your final grade.

COURSE PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES: This course is intended to provide the student with an introduction to basis concepts of physics. The quantitative methods of analysis of physical principles will be emphasized in the lecture portion of the course, while the techniques of measurement, data analysis, and technical writing will be emphasized in the laboratory.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS & MATERIALS: This course consists of both a lecture and a laboratory. Laboratory procedures are included in the lab manual and further details will be discussed during the first meeting. You must be registered for a laboratory.

You will need to purchase the following materials at the bookstore.

TEXTBOOK: Physics:Principles with Applications - Volume 1
5th Edition
Doulgas C. Giancoli

Prentice Hall Publishing
(Required)

LAB MANUAL: Laboratory Exercises for PHY 101

GRAPH PAPER: Graph Paper Kit for PHY 101

LABORATORY FOLDERS: Packet of folders on which reports are written.
(You may not need these folders if you write on a word processor!)

GRADING FORMULA: The following percentages will be used to determine you final grade for the course.
Homework Quizzes15%
3 Exams - 15% each45%
Laboratory20%
Final Exam20%


ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance will be required on all examination dates. These dates will be announced in lecture at least one week in advance. Attendance will also be required during assigned laboratory periods. Attendance in lecture is at the student's discretion. Remember that you are responsible for all lecture material and other assignments. If circumstances are such that you miss a particular lab, you may make it up during the scheduled times (see lab schedule).


If you miss an exam, you must call the office the same day: a make-up exam will be arranged only in cases of legitimate absence and only if you call on, or before, the day of the exam. Make-up exams will be given at the end of the semester.


OUTLINE OF TOPICS:
Unit 0: INTRODUCTORY PRELIMINARIES
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Homework Problems: 5, 9, 17, 21, 33, 35, 40, 43
  • The Nature of Physics
  • Fundamental Quantities and Standard Units
  • Dimensional Analysis
  • Conversion of Units

Unit 1: KINEMATICS
Chapter 2 - Motion in One-Dimension
Homework Problems: 7, 19, 27, 29, 35, 41, 49, 60, 65, 67, 69, 71, 72
  • The Displacement of a Point Particle
  • Definition of Average Velocity
  • Definition of Average Acceleration
  • Motion at Constant Acceleration
  • The Acceleration Due to Gravity


Chapter 3 - Vectors and Motion in Two Dimensions
Homework Problems: 1, 2, 9, 11, 15, 19, 27, 31, 35, 65, 69, 73
  • Vectors
  • Addition and Subtraction of Vectors
  • Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration Vectors
  • Projectile Motion

Examination 1



Unit 2: NEWTON'S LAWS, FORCE ANALYSIS, WORK, and ENERGY CONSERVATION
Chapter 4 - Newtonian Dynamics
Homework Problems:7, 13, 17, 23, 30, 31, 34, 53, 55, 62, 65, 71, 77, 81
  • The Law of Inertia
  • The Definition of Force
  • The Equality of Action and Reaction
  • A Definition of Weight
  • Motion with Resisting Forces - Friction
  • Motion on an Inclined Plane

Chapter 5 - Circular Motion and Universal Gravitation
Homework Problems: 1, 7, 11, 13, 21, 26, 35, 39, 45, 49, 59, 63, 73, 76
  • Centripetal Acceleration
  • Motion of a Vehicle on a Banked Track
  • Dynamics of a Mass Moving in a Circular Path
  • Universal Gravitation and the Cavendish Experiment
  • Circular Satellite Orbits

Chapter 6 - Work and Energy
Homework Problems:3, 10, 19, 35, 39, 53, 55, 61, 65, 79, 85
  • The Definition of Work
  • Kinetic Energy
  • Gravitational Potential Energy
  • Principle of Energy Conservation
  • Power

Examination 2



Unit 3: LINEAR MOMENTUM & COLLISION ANALYSIS
Chapter 7 - Linear Momentum and Collisions
Homework Problems: 5, 7, 9, 11, 17, 23, 30, 33, 37, 69, 71
  • Definitions of Impulse and Momentum
  • Conservation of Linear Momentum
  • Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
  • Momentum of Objects of Varying Mass

Chapters 8 & 9 - Rotational Dynamics and Statics
Problems: (Chapter 8) 7, 21, 23, 31, 45, 53, 55, 65, 67, 79, 83
Homework Problems: (Chapter 9) 3, 19, 23,27, 35, 37, 39, 81
  • Rotational Kinematics
  • Statics of Concurrent Coplanar Forces
  • Torque and General Conditions of Equilibrium
  • Center of Gravity
  • Statics of Rigid Bodies
  • Work and Rotational Kinetic Energy
  • Angular Momentum

Examination 3



Unit 4: OSCILLATIONS
Chapter 11 - Periodic Motion
Homework Problems: 1, 9, 15, 17, 21, 29, 31
  • Hooke's Law and Elastic Potential Energy
  • Simple Harmonic Motion
  • The Simple Pendulum

Chapter 14 - Temperature, Heat, and Internal Energy
(If time permits.)
  • Heat as a form of energy
  • Specific Heat
  • Conservation of Heat Energy

Final Examination