Description:

In this introductory course for pre-professional and general education, students will learn the fundamentals of selected areas of classical physics. Using the tools of algebra and trigonometry, the course develops the topics of electricity and magnetism, light and optics and some elements of modern physics, such as relativity and quantum physics. The two-semester PHYS 130/131 sequence is designed to meet the requirements of area pre-professional programs. This is a transfer course that meets the college's requirements for associate's degree programs and also meets transfer requirements of area colleges and universities. This course does not normally fulfill the requirement of engineering programs. The course includes an integrated laboratory component the completion of which is a necessary part of the total instructional package. 4 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

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

1. Describe the general historical development of physics and note its impact on Western civilization.
2. Illustrate the principles of physics underlying modern life as embodied in familiar devices and technologies.
3. Recall basic facts, laws, principles and conventional usages employed in the areas of physics covered.
4. Distinguish correct from incorrect expressions of physical laws and principles.
5. Analyze, formulate, resolve and interpret simple physics problems by applying principles studied.
6. Apply basic mathematical modeling to physical situations and draw numerical conclusions from the analysis.
7. Use care in the handling of units of measurement and express answers in correct and consistent units.
8. Be able to apply common techniques of analysis and calculation to both familiar contexts and similar but unfamiliar situations.
9. Show ability to utilize principles and methods studied in their application to concrete exercises presented in hands-on lab sessions or computer simulations.
10. Recognize and practice safe productive work habits in the laboratory.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Static Electricity
   A. List the basic rules that govern behavior of electric charge.
   B. Describe and apply Coulomb’s law for simple charge arrangements.
   C. Distinguish between the action-at-a-distance and field approaches to
the electric field.
   D. Predict the motion of charges in an electric field.
   E. Distinguish between electrical potential energy and electrical
voltage.
   F. Distinguish between E-field maps and V-loop maps for electric
fields.
   G. Recall the nature of parallel plate capacitors and dielectrics.
   H. Use the laws of parallel and series capacitor combinations to
analyze simple capacitor circuits.

II. Electric Current and Resistance
   A. Discuss several types of current flow and identify which obey Ohm’s
law.
   B. Describe the operation of batteries as current sources.
   C. Describe the concepts of resistance, resistivity and Ohmic current.
   D. Use Ohm’s law to solve simple DC circuits.
   E. Recall the various equations for electric power.

III. Electric Circuits
   A. Use the rules for series and parallel resistor combinations to solve
simple one-source circuits.
   B. State and apply Kirchhoff’s rules.
   C. Solve simple RC circuits.
   D. Discuss the design of ammeters and voltmeters.
   E. Discuss household circuits and electrical safety.

IV. Magnetism
   A. Describe the origin of the magnetic field in terms of electric
charge in motion.
   B. Describe and use the equations for magnetic forces on moving
charges.
   C. Recall and use the equations for the magnetic fields produced by
currents.
   D. Discuss magnetic materials in terms of Weiss domains.
   E. Discuss the magnetic field of the Earth.
   F. Explain the operation of galvanometers and motors in terms of
magnetic torques on pivoted coils.

V. Electromagnetic Induction
   A. State and use Faraday’s/Lenz’s law to solve simple problems.
   B. Explain the difference between DC and AC generators.
   C. Discuss magnetic flux and transformer operation.
   D. Discuss inductance and magnetic potential energy.

VI. Alternating Current
   A. Convert from RMS values to peak values for AC variables.
   B. Calculate the reactance and phase shifts for RLC circuits.
   C. Solve series RLC circuits by the impedance method.
   D. Discuss phasors as vectors in time rather than space.
   E. Discuss power and resonance in AC circuits.

VII. Geometrical Optics
   A. State and apply the law of reflection to simple problems.
   B. State and apply the law of refraction to simple problems.
   C. Discuss fiber-optic application of total internal reflection.
   D. Discuss dispersion of prisms.

VIII. Mirrors and Lenses
   A. Use laws of reflection and refraction to explain the focusing
property of curved interfaces.
   B. Use the mirror/lens equation to confirm image position and quality
on ray diagrams.
   C. Distinguish between converging and diverging systems.

IX. Interference and Diffraction
   A. Explain the double slit interference pattern and use it to calculate
wavelengths.
   B. Discuss the colors of thin film in terms of interference.
   C. Explain how diffraction relates to wavelength.
   D. Describe the phenomena of polarization.
   E. Describe the colorization due to scattering.
X. Relativity
   A. Describe and explain the importance of the Michelson-Morley
experiment.
   B. State and apply the postulates of special relativity.
   C. Calculate time dilations and length contractions.
   D. Use the velocity addition formula to justify an upper speed limit =
c.
   E. Discuss mass variation in terms of relativistic energy and
momentum.

XI. Waves and Particles
   A. Discuss the logical inconsistencies between particle and wave
representations of light.
   B. Discuss the photoelectric and Compton effects from the particle
perspective.
   C. Recall and use the Einstein-Planck and DeBroglie equations to solve
problems.
   D. Describe and explain the significance of the Heisenberg uncertainty
principle.

XII. Atomic Structure
   A. Describe the Bohr model of the atom.
   B. Use the Bohr model to explain the spectrum of hydrogen.
   C. Relate quantum principles to the structure of the periodic table.

XIII. Radioactivity and the Nucleus
   A. Recall and discuss alpha, beta and gamma radiation.
   B. Balance simple nuclear reactions.
   C. Discuss half-lives and radioactive dating.
   D. Distinguish fission and fusion in terms of binding energy per
nucleon.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Activities:
  Examinations:  Students will complete exams and comprehensive final
exam.
  Homework/quizzes: The weekly quizzes taken together count as much as one
exam.
  Labs:  All the lab reports together equal 1/2 exam.

Point Values:

Minimum of four examinations = 400 points
Quizzes                      = 100 points
Lab exercises                =  50 points
Final                        = 200 points
Total                        = 750 points

Grading:  All work is evaluated on a points earned/points possible basis.
The final grade for the course is based on semester percentage which is
calculated by formula: 

 Semester % = Total points earned x 100%
                      750
  Grading Scale:
  A = 90 - 100%
  B = 80 -  89%
  C = 70 -  79%
  D = 60 -  69%
  F =  0 -  59%

Caveats:

1. Computer Literacy Expectations: Students will need basic word processing and Internet searching skills for the completion of some papers, exercises and projects.

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.