11/21/2024 1:41:51 AM	PHYS 1 Course Outline as of Fall 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  PHYS 1	Title:  INTRO PBLM SOLVING
Full Title:  Introduction to Physics Problem Solving
Last Reviewed:8/26/2024

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Students will learn basic physics concepts, with an emphasis on developing problem solving skills. The course helps prepare students for success in Physics 20A or Physics 40.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion of MATH 154 OR MATH 155 OR MATH 156 OR higher (MATH) or appropriate placement based on AB 705 mandates

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Students will learn basic physics concepts, with an emphasis on developing problem solving skills. The course helps prepare students for success in Physics 20A or Physics 40.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:Course Completion of MATH 154 OR MATH 155 OR MATH 156 OR higher (MATH) or appropriate placement based on AB 705 mandates
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:	Fall 1994	Inactive:
Area:	B	Communication and Analytical Thinking
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	B1	Physical Science		Fall 1996
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1994	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1994	Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Define and identify basic physical laws, theories, and principles applicable to mechanics.

2. Interpret and generate graphs and diagrams that represent the evolution of physical systems and events in mechanics.

3. Organize and interpret information and apply the physics laws to solve one- and two- dimensional problems in mechanics.

4. Work in groups to analyze, solve, and present solutions to problems in mechanics.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Define the physics quantities used in mechanics including: displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, energy, work, power, momentum, and impulse.

2. Identify the major unit systems and convert among them.

3. Organize and interpret written problem statements.

4. Describe basic concepts in mechanics and selected additional physics topics.

5. Generate and/or interpret graphs of physics quantities related to mechanics.

6. Generate free body diagrams and use them in the correct application of Newton's laws.

7. Apply the equations of mechanics to the solution of selected simple physics problems.

8. Apply interpersonal skills to work in teams to solve physics problems.

Topics and Scope

I. Problem Solving Tools, Strategies, and Algorithms

    A. Interpretation of written problem statements

    B. Written description or analysis of applicable physics concepts

    C. Choice of appropriate mathematical models and equations

    D. Organization of information and assignment of variables

    E. Interpretation and generation of diagrams and graphs

II. Units and Dimensional Analysis

    A. The international system (SI)

    B. The centimeter, gram, second system (CGS)

    C. The British engineering system (BE)

    D. Common metric prefixes

    E. Conversion of units

    F. Unit consistency in equations

III. One-Dimensional Kinematics

    A. Concepts, definitions, and units of displacement, velocity, and acceleration

    B. Graphs of displacement, velocity, and acceleration versus time

    C. Slopes of displacement and velocity versus time graphs and areas under velocity and acceleration versus time graphs

    D. Equations for uniformly accelerated motion in one dimension

    E. Freefall body problem analysis

IV. Vectors and Trigonometry

    A. Scalar and vector quantities

    B. Components of vectors and right triangle trigonometry

    C. Sums of vectors

V. Two-Dimensional Kinematics

    A. Separation of coordinate directions

    B. Equations of two-dimensional kinematics

    C. Projectile motion

VI. Forces and Newton's Laws of Motion

    A. Concepts, definitions, and units of mass, force, and weight

     B. Newton's third law and force interactions between objects

    C. Newton's first law and the construction of free body diagrams

    D. One- and two-dimensional statics

    E. Newton's second law and free body diagrams with acceleration

    F. One- and two-dimensional linear dynamics

VII. Work, Energy, and Power

    A. Concepts, definitions, and units of work, energy, and power

    B. Calculation of work done using force and displacement data and graphs

    C. Kinetic and potential energy

    D. Conservative and non-conservative forces

    E. Conservation of energy

    F. Computation of power

VIII. Optional Physics Topics (faculty should choose 2-4 additional topics from the following list)

    A. Impulse and momentum

    B. Newton's universal law of gravity

    C. Rotational kinematics and dynamics

    D. Simple harmonic motion

    E. Fluids, statics, and dynamics

    F. Thermodynamics

    G. Waves and sound

    H. Electricity and magnetism

    I. Optics

    J. Superconductivity

    K. Radioactivity

    L. Fusion and fission

    M. Special relativity

    N. Subatomic particles

Assignments:

1. Homework problem sets (12-20)

2. Exams (2-4)

3. Quizzes (3-15)

4. In-class worksheet(s), most to be completed in groups (1-15)

5. Final exam

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 0%
None
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because problem solving assessments are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 15 - 30%
Homework problem sets
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 60 - 80%
Exams, quizzes, and final exam
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 5 - 10%
Class participation and worksheet(s)

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Physics. 12th ed. Cutnell, John and Johnson, Kenneth, and Young, David, and Stadler, Shane. Wiley. 2022.

Essentials of College Physics. Serway, Raymond and Vuille, Chris. Cengage Learning. 2007. (classic).

Instructor prepared materials

 

Online Educational Resources (OER):

 

College Physics 2e, Urone, Paul P., Hinrichs, Roger. https://openstax.org/details/books/college-physics-2e Creative Commons Attribution License v4.0. 2022.

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