Discipline: Physics Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Physics 2A


COURSE DESCRIPTION
2A General Physics I Units: 4.00
 
Prerequisite(s): MAT 1A: Calculus I
Meets the requirements for students majoring in biological science, including pre-medical and pre-dental students. This course examines: properties of matter; study of mechanics, including Newton’s laws, energy, momentum, and rotational motion; study of fluid mechanics; study of thermodynamics, including heat, temperature, kinetic theory of gases, and the laws of thermodynamics; study of oscillatory motion. 54 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
Study of properties of matter, mechanics, fluids, thermodynamics, and oscillatory motion.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

Explain the concepts of kinematics, such as velocity, displacement
and acceleration, and their relationships to each other.

Determine the forces acting on an object and the motion of an object through application of the Laws of Motion.

Explain the concepts of conservation of energy and conservation of
momentum, and use each to solve problems in mechanics.

Apply the definitions of oscillatory and wave motion to construct
solutions to problems.

Define the concepts of fluid mechanics, including pressure, density,
and bouyancy, and use them to solve appropriate problems.

Record and analyze measured data in a laboratory environment by
applying concepts related to material presented in lecture.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. Vectors, including addition, subtraction, and multiplication of vectors; SI and non-SI units commonly used in measurements of physical quantities; conversion of one system of units to another.
  2. Kinematics of one and two dimensions, including displacemnet , velocity, acceleration.
  3. Newton's Laws of Motion and their application to problems in mechanics, including linear, circular and rotational motion; forces including gravity and friction.
  4. The work-energy theorem, power, potential energy, and consertion of energy.
  5. Momentun, impulse, elastic and inelastic collisions, conservation of momentum, rocket propulsion.
  6. Gravitation, orbital motion, Kepler's Laws, satellites.
  7. Oscillatory motion, including spring and mass systems and pendulums; velocity, acceleration, and enery of an oscillating system; period, frequency, angular frequency of an oscillting sysem.
  8. Mechanical waves, including pressure waves and transverse waves on a string and other media; reflection and transmission of sound waves; interference of sound waves; standing waves on a string; the Doppler Effect.
  9. Fluid mechanics, including definitions of pressure and density; buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, flow rate, Bernoulli's Principle.
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Present class lectures in order to explain concepts and illistrate how to solve problems by relating concepts.
  • Present class demonstrations to reinforce undrstanding of the concepts explained in lecture.
  • Arrange class discussions to allow students to work together to solve problems.
  • Develop class exercises which encourage students to help each other develop problem solving ability.
  • Develop web based assignments and materials to assist students with homework and reinforce their understanding of material presented in lecture.
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Quizzes and examinations which allow students to demonstrate their individual ability to solve problems using concepts presented in lecture.
  • Homework assignments to be completed outside of class by individual students or as groups, which allow students to demonstrate their ability to work together to enhance learning.
  • Written reports of laboratory activities, including measured and analyzed data, which will allow studets to demonstrate their ability to apply concepts presented in lecture.
  • Final examination designed to allow students to demonstrate their mastery of the course material, including the ability to relate course topics and use their relationships to solve problems.
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Jones & Childers. Contemporary College Physics. 3 ed. any: McGraw Hill, 2001.
  • Serway. Principles of Physics. 2 ed. any: Saunders College Publishing, 1998.
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