Introduction to Physics 1104
This textbook has been modified from Open Stax College Physics to better match the course Practical Physics Physics 1104 at Douglas College. Here is the official curriculum for Physics 1104 at Douglas College as of August 2018.
This information is also available at
http://www.douglascollege.ca/student-services/post-douglas/guidelines/courses
COURSE CURRICULUM
Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
- Explain/define terms and quantities encountered: displacement, velocity/speed, acceleration, free-fall, scalar, vector resultant, vector component, equilibrium, mass, weight, force, free body diagram, centre of gravity, torque, lever arm, friction, work, kinetic energy, potential energy, power, momentum, impulse, moment of inertia, angular displacement, angular velocity, angular acceleration, centripetal force, centripetal acceleration, density, pressure, fluid pressure, temperature, thermal energy, specific heat, latent heat, heat conduction, convection, radiation, electric charge, electrical conductor, insulator, electric field, electric potential difference/voltage, resistance, current, electromotive force.
- Identify the appropriate SI units for the quantities encountered.
- State the major principles/laws encountered: first and second conditions for equilibrium, Newton’s three laws of motion, law of universal gravitation, work-energy theorem, principles of conservation of energy and momentum, Archimedes’ principle, Coulomb’s law, Ohm’s law.
- Add vector quantities using the geometric and component (trigonometry) methods.
- Apply the laws/principles to the solution of numerical problems encountered in the textbook and in the laboratory.
- Perform basic experiments in mechanics, heat and electricity and analyze the data obtained using appropriate graphing techniques, scientific notation, significant figures and experimental uncertainty considerations.
Course Content
Mechanics
- physical quantities and SI units
- vectors versus scalars
- vector addition
- velocity and acceleration
- uniformly accelerated motion
- Newton’s laws of motion
- gravitation
- friction
- first condition for equilibrium
- torque and lever arm
- second condition for equilibrium
- simple machines
- work, energy and power
- conservation of energy
- momentum and impulse
- centripetal force and acceleration
- rotational motion
- density
- pressure
- Archimedes’ principle
Heat
- temperature and thermometers
- thermal energy and heat capacity
- latent heats and phase changes
- heat transfer mechanisms
Electricity
- electric charge
- Coulomb’s Law
- electric field
- potential difference
- current
- resistance and Ohm’s Law
- electric power
- simple circuit analysis
Methods Of Instruction: Classroom time will be divided between the presentation and discussion of basic concepts on the one hand and the application of these concepts in problem solving (working through examples and problems) on the other. Some of the assignments may be on on-line. The laboratory program will involve weekly, three hour sessions during which students will perform a set number of experiments. This course involves some group work.
