PHY-2020 General Physics I

Credits: 4
This course is the first course in a three-semester sequence of university level physics (PHY- 2020, PHY-2030, PHY-2040) for a variety of majors including but not limited to engineering, mathematics, and science. This course is a calculus-based study of classical mechanics. This course deepens students’ understanding of the laws of nature through problem solving and experimentation. Students primarily learn about motion by examining Newton’s three laws of motion. Students also examine conservation principles, particularly those of energy and momentum. Additionally, students investigate fluid mechanics, gravity, and rotational dynamics.

Corequisite(s): MAT-2420

Formerly: PHY-1030 and PHY-1040. Students may not receive credit for both PHY-1030, PHY-1040 and PHY-2020.

Course Outcomes

Distinguish between scalar and vector physical quantities and use basic vector analysis to solve physics problems.
Solve kinematics problems for motions in one and two dimensions.
Apply the concepts of force, gravitation, momentum, energy, conservation of momentum, and conservation of energy to solve problems in classical mechanics.
Use the concepts of pressure, buoyancy, and continuity to solve problems in basic fluid mechanics.
Develop mathematical equations for the physical systems studied in this course.
Perform experiments to explore a variety of physical phenomena in classical mechanics, using traditional tools as well as modern technology, gathering scientific data in multiple measurements, including quantifying measurement error with statistical techniques.
Write a lab report in proper scientific format that discusses measurements with appropriate precision and accuracy and any discrepancy between experimental and expected lab results