Description:

This is an introduction to physics for engineering and science students. Included will be mathematical approaches to the study of mechanics, wave motion and thermodynamics. 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. Demonstrate skills in creative problem solving in scientific and technological applications.
2. Understand the origins of the equations of physics using calculus and be able to apply them to new situations.
3. Identify the most important laws of mechanics, waves and thermodynamics.
4. Apply the laws of physics in a laboratory and interpret observations and measurements by using diverse tools, such as conventional instrumentation as well as computer sensors and computer graphics.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Introduction to Mechanics
   A. Units and measures
      1. Describe physics and how it relates to other physical sciences. 
      2. Explain the role of scientific models and how they are used in
the sciences.
      3. Recognize and be able to apply SI metric units.
      4. Convert measurements back and forth between U.S. units and SI
units.
      5. Explain the importance of measurements and accuracy in physics.
      6. Apply significant figures to measurements.
   B. Vectors
      1. Differentiate between vectors and scalars.
      2. Work problems requiring vector math operations, especially
addition and subtraction.
      3. Resolve vectors into components and apply to addition and
subtraction problems.
   C. Motion in a straight line -- kinematics
      1. Apply concepts of displacement, velocity and acceleration.
      2. Draw motion diagrams to determine acceleration vectors for a
variety of applications.
      3. Draw graphs of position, velocity and acceleration as functions
of time for a variety of situations.
      4. Work problems with constant acceleration.
      5. Apply constant acceleration to freely falling objects.
   D. Motion in a plane
      1. Extend displacement, velocity and acceleration concepts into two
dimensions using vectors.
      2. Identify when use of constant speed or constant acceleration is
appropriate.
      3. Solve projectile problems involving position, velocity and
acceleration.
      4. Identify and apply centripetal acceleration equations.
      5. Apply relative motion ideas to one- and two-dimensional
problems.
   E. Newton’s laws
      1. Define force and apply the ideas to common applications.
      2. Define inertia and relate it to mass (Newton’s first law).
      3. Describe mass and its role in Newton’s second law.
      4. Differentiate between mass and weight.
      5. Explain the origins of friction.
      6. Draw free body diagrams for a large number of applications. 
      7. Find examples of Newton’s third law.
      8. Apply Newton’s laws to a variety of situations.

II. Development of Mechanics Concepts
   A. Work and energy
      1. List the two important aspects of a vector dot product.
      2. Define work in terms of the dot product force-distance integral.
      3. Simplify the work integral for constant forces.
      4. Solve work problems for varying forces.
      5. Construct work-energy bar charts.
      6. Apply conservation of energy to a variety of problems.
      7. Describe the difference between energy and power.
      8. Explain how the potential energy of an object can be changed.
      9. Describe conservative and nonconservative forces.
     10. Explain how conservative forces are related to potential energy.
     11. Solve problems that include gravitational and spring potential
energy.
   B. Impulse and momentum
      1. Derive the impulse and momentum expressions from Newton’s second
law.
      2. Relate impulse to collisions and explain how knowledge of impulse
can be used to create safer equipment.
      3. Show how conservation of momentum is related to Newton’s third
law.
      4. Differentiate between ideal elastic and inelastic collisions.
      5. Apply conservation of momentum to elastic and inelastic
collisions in one and two dimensions.
      6. Define center of mass and illustrate why it is an important
concept in Newtonian mechanics.
      7. Show how to find the center of mass by experiment or by
calculation.
   C. Rotational motion
      1. Define angular displacement, angular position, angular velocity
and angular acceleration and relate them mathematically to the linear
analogs.
      2. Find the relationships between linear and angular kinematics
equations and apply to a variety of situations.
      3. Expand the conservation of energy models to include rotational
energy.
      4. Recognize the relationship between angular inertia (moment of
inertia) and work Newton’s laws problems that illustrate its use.
      5. Relate torque to forces.
      6. Define vector cross products and apply them to torque and other
angular mechanics problems, paying careful attention to vector
directions.
      7. Solve problems using rotational work, power and energy.
      8. Relate the motion of the center of mass of a rolling object to
the motion of its rim.
      9. Explain the importance of conservation of angular momentum and
apply that principle to various situations of rotating objects.
   D. Static equilibrium
      1. Define the conditions of static equilibrium for a rigid object.
      2. Solve static equilibrium problems.
   E. Periodic motion
      1. Define simple harmonic motion and list examples.
      2. Solve problems that utilize standard solutions to simple harmonic
differential equations to a mass on a spring and a simple pendulum.
      3. Apply conservation of energy to simple harmonic motion
situations.
   F. Gravity
      1. Explain the terms in Newton’s law of universal gravity.
      2. Solve problems using Newton’s law of gravity.
      3. Recognize when to use the universal law of gravity and when to
use simpler formulations.
      4. Derive an equation for universal gravitational potential energy,
paying careful attention to signs.
      5. Solve problems using the universal gravitational potential energy
formula and explain when simpler forms can be used.
  
III. Mechanical Waves
   A. Distinguish between transverse and longitudinal waves and give
examples of each.
   B. Apply sinusoidal mathematics to waves in one dimension.
   C. Define the conditions of destructive and constructive interference
using superposition principles and path differences from sources.
   D. Find the speed of waves on a string.
   E. Solve problems involving reflection of waves.
   F. Find the energy carried by waves in one dimension.

IV. Thermal Properties of Matter
   A. Temperature and expansion
      1. Review the various temperature scales and the relationships
between them.
      2. Solve problems concerning thermal expansion in solids and
liquids.
      3. Define ideal gas laws and solve problems with them.
      4. Memorize basic facts about gases.
      5. Draw PV diagrams for gases, including isotherms in your
drawings.
   B. Heat and thermal properties of materials
      1. Carefully distinguish between heat and temperature.
      2. Define heat capacity and latent heat.
      3. Apply the concepts of heat capacity and latent heat to a variety
of heat transfer situations.
      4. Draw heat flow diagrams that illustrate the conservation of
energy.
   C. Introduction to thermodynamics
      1. Derive a new form of the work dot product integral for gases.
      2. Apply the first law of thermodynamics to the following processes
for ideal gases: isobaric, isovolumetric, isothermal and adiabatic.
      3. Show how the adiabatic equation of state can be used to explain
many aspects of weather.
      4. Describe the two forms of the second law of thermodynamics.
      5. Explain the importance of heat engines to our civilization.
      6. Solve heat engine problems, including the topics of efficiency
and wasted heat.
      7. Solve problems concerning heat flows and efficiencies of heat
pumps and refrigerators.
      8. Explain the concept of entropy and work example problems.
   D. Atomic and molecular properties of matter
      1. Show how our theory of atoms and molecules in constant motion can
be used to define mathematically what we mean by temperature, pressure and
internal energy.
      2. Solve problems using our definitions of specific heat of gases at
constant volume or constant pressure.
      3. Show how equipartition of energy and molecular speed
distributions can explain common observations, such as distributions can
explain common observations, such as evaporation of all materials and
planetary atmospheres.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

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

1. Examinations
2. Homework
3. Labs

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%
              Total points possible
                   
 
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.