PHY 131E Classical Physics I (Required) - Materials Science and ...

PHY 131E Classical Physics I (Required)
Course Catalog description:
An introductory survey of mechanics, wave motion, kinetic theory, and thermodynamics. Calculus is used
concurrently with its development in MAT131C Calculus I.
3 credits
Pre- or Corequisite(s): MAT 125C Calculus A or MAT131C Calculus I or MAT141C Honors Calculus I
or MAT126C Calculus B or AMS151C Applied Calculus I or level 5+ on the mathematics placement
examination; PHY 133 Classical Physics Laboratory I
Text(s) or other required material:
Douglas C. Giancoli, Physics for Scientists & Engineers, Pearson Ed./Prentice Hall, 4 th edition, 2008,
ISBN: 0-13-227359-4. Scientific Calculator.
Course learning outcomes:
Ability to analyze a situation or a problem: visualize the situation, identify the constraints and the variables;
identify the physics in a problem, and to re-state the problem in terms of the physics variables and
mathematical equations. Ability to argue if a solution is, or is not possible in principle. Ability to use
mathematical tools to find the solution. For the Classical Physics I course, the problems and situations deal
exclusively with Newtonian mechanics and thermodynamics of solids, fluids, and gases. Ability to make
order-of-magnitude estimates, and to check solutions for correctness using symbols, special-situation
checks, and units checking.
Topics Covered:
Units, Physical Quantities, and Vectors
One-Dimensional Motion
Two/Three-Dimensional Motion
Circular Motion
Newton’s First and second laws
Newton’s third law
Applying Newton’s laws
Friction
Circular-motion dynamics
Work and Kinetic energy
Power
Potential Energy
Energy Conservation & Momentum Conservation
Collisions
Rotational motion
Moment of inertia
Torque
Energy and Angular momentum
Gravitation and Keppler’s Laws
Statics
Harmonic motion
Damping and Resonance
Fluids and Bernoulli’s Principle
Traveling Waves
Superposition Principle
Sound waves

Standing waves
Doppler effect
Temperature and expansion
Heat
Molecular theory of heat
1 st law of thermodynamics
Thermodynamics
2 nd law and heat machines
Carnot cycle
Entropy
Class/ Laboratory Schedule:
Fall: Lecture, Monday/ Wednesday/ Friday, 11:45 – 12:40 pm
Recitation, 55 minutes (15 sections)
Spring: Lecture, Monday/ Wednesday/ Friday, 8:30 – 9:25 am
Recitation, 55 minutes (5 sections)
Contribution of Course to meet requirement of Criterion 5:
Classical Physics contributes strongly to the Program Objectives 1), 2), and 3) of the Program Objectives.
Relationship of course to program outcomes:
Classical Physics I aims to develop the problem solving skills of the students in Newtonian Physics
situations: problem visualization, identification of the underlying physics processes, variable analysis and
solution search. Thus, this course contributes strongly to the technical aspects of the physics and
engineering skills to be acquired by the students.
Person(s) who prepared this description and date of preparation:
Michael M. Rijssenbeek, 4 June 2009.