PHYSI 1201: General Physics I - Course Syllabus and Study Guide

Course Overview

General Description

PHYSI 1201: General Physics I is an algebra and trigonometry-based introductory physics course covering classical mechanics, fluids, heat, thermodynamics, periodic motion, and wave motion. The course is designed for students with prior experience in high school physics and right-angle trigonometry.

• Credits: 5.00 (Lecture: 4.00, Lab: 2.00, Contact: 6.00)

• Instructor: Professor Rumiana Nikolova-Genov ([e-mail])

• Required Text: Physics, 5th ed., James Walker (Pearson Education Inc.)

• Homework System: The ExpertTA and Blackboard Ultra

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

Key Skills Developed

• Analyze equation solutions for correctness based on unit mathematics

• Describe relationships among different units of measure

• Interpret and explain displacement, velocity, and acceleration in multiple dimensions

• Apply Newton's Laws to calculate effects of external forces

• Create and label free-body diagrams in two dimensions

• Explain and apply work-energy relationships

• Calculate effects of forces using work-energy and impulse-momentum methods

• Identify and calculate potential, kinetic, and mechanical energy

• Analyze friction, collisions, center-of-mass, rotational motion, and equilibrium

• Determine pressure, buoyant forces, and apply fluid principles

• Explain heat, temperature, internal energy, and phase changes

• Apply thermodynamic laws and calculate efficiencies

• Interpret wave motion, superposition, resonance, and sound phenomena

Topical Outline

Main Topics and Subtopics

• Measurement and Units

  • General measurement, units, unit conversion, compound units

• Kinematics

  • One-dimensional and two-dimensional motion

  • Position, velocity, acceleration (average and instantaneous)

  • Projectile motion

• Vectors in Physics

  • Addition and subtraction of vectors

  • Position, velocity, and acceleration as vectors

• Dynamics and Newton's Laws

  • Force and motion, inertial mass, linear superposition

  • Applications of Newton's laws

• Rotational Motion

  • Uniform circular motion, centripetal acceleration

  • Radial and tangential acceleration, satellite motion

• Work, Energy, and Power

  • Work-energy theorem, calculation of work, conservative/non-conservative forces

  • Potential energy (gravitational, spring), conservation of mechanical energy

  • Power

• Momentum and Collisions

  • Impulse-momentum theorem, conservation of momentum

  • Elastic and inelastic collisions, center of mass

• Rotational Kinematics and Dynamics

  • Rotational displacement, velocity, acceleration

  • Moment of inertia, angular momentum conservation

• Oscillations and Harmonic Motion

  • Hooke's law, simple harmonic motion, pendulum, damped/forced motion

• Fluids

  • Density, pressure, Pascal's principle, Archimedes' principle, Bernoulli's equation

• Temperature, Heat, and Thermodynamics

  • Temperature scales, heat, specific heats, thermal expansion, phase changes

  • Kinetic theory, ideal gas law, first law of thermodynamics

  • Heat transfer methods, entropy, second law, heat engines, Carnot cycle

• Waves and Sound

  • Sinusoidal waves, superposition, resonance, interference

  • Sound intensity, Doppler effect, beat frequencies

Course Schedule

Weekly Topics and Labs

Week	Dates	Chapters	Topics	Lab
1	1/26 - 1/30	1, 2	Concepts/Units; 1-D motion	Lab 01
2	2/2 - 2/6	2, 3	1-D motion; Vectors	Lab 02
3	2/9 – 2/13	4	2D Motion	Lab 03
4	2/16 – 2/20	5	Newton’s Laws	Lab 04
5	2/23 – 2/27	6	Applications of Newton’s Laws	Lab 05
6	3/2 – 3/6	7	Work & Kinetic Energy	Lab 06
7	3/9 – 3/13	8	Potential Energy	Lab 07
8	3/16 – 3/20	9	Momentum and Collisions	Lab 08
9	3/23 – 3/27	10, 11	Rotational Kinematics and Energy/Rotational Dynamics	Lab 09
10	3/30 - 4/5		Spring Break
11	4/6 - 4/10	11	Rotational Dynamics	Lab 10
12	4/13 – 4/17		Oscillations	Lab 11
13	4/20 – 4/24	14	Waves and Sound	Lab 12
14	4/27 – 5/1	15	Fluids	Lab 13
15	5/4 – 5/8	16, 17	Temperature and Heat; Phase Change	Lab 14
16	5/11 – 5/15	17, 18	Phase Change, Thermodynamics	Lab Exam
17	5/18		Final Exam (Chapters 1-18)

Methods of Evaluation

Grading Breakdown

Assignment	Percentage of Final Grade
Reading Homework	10%
Post-Chapter Homework	10%
Quizzes	10%
Labs	10%
In-class Questions	5%
Exam I	15%
Exam II and Final Exam	20% each (40% total)
Total	100%

Grading Scale

Percentage	Grade
90% − 100%	A
79.5% − 89.4%	B
69.5% − 79.4%	C
60% − 69.4%	D
Below 60%	F

Course Materials and Requirements

• Textbook: Physics by James Walker (5th edition or earlier)

• Homework: ExpertTA and Blackboard Ultra

• Labs: Weekly, with pre-lab, in-lab, and post-lab components

• Equipment: Calculator, computer with webcam, reliable Wi-Fi

Academic Policies and Support

• Attendance: Required for lectures and labs

• Homework Help: Office hours, online resources, peer collaboration, tutoring center

• Lab Policy: Pre-lab sheets required, no make-up labs, lowest lab score dropped

• Quiz Policy: Weekly quizzes, lowest score dropped, no make-up quizzes

• Exam Policy: Two hour exams and a comprehensive final; missed exams handled by final exam substitution (one only)

• Extra Credit: Syllabus quiz

• Academic Honesty: Strict policy against plagiarism and dishonest use of course materials

• Disability Accommodation: Contact Center for Access and Accommodations for support

• Religious Observance: Reasonable accommodation for conflicts with class requirements

• COVID-19 Protocols: Stay home if unwell, report symptoms, request accommodations as needed

• Electronic Device Policy: No recording without consent; smart glasses prohibited during exams

Study Tips and Success Strategies

• Attend all lectures and labs; take thorough notes

• Complete reading and post-chapter homework on time

• Use office hours and tutoring resources for help

• Collaborate with classmates for discussion and problem-solving

• Prepare for quizzes and exams by reviewing concepts and practicing calculations

• Engage actively in lab activities and connect them to lecture material

Key Physics Concepts (Sample)

Units and Measurement

• SI Units: Standard units for physics (meter, kilogram, second, etc.)

• Unit Conversion: Use conversion factors to change between units

• Compound Units: Derived units such as m/s (velocity), N (Newton, force)

Kinematics Equations (Constant Acceleration)

• Position: $x = x_0 + v_0 t + \frac{1}{2} a t^2$

• Velocity: $v = v_0 + a t$

• Acceleration: $a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$

Newton's Laws of Motion

• First Law: An object remains at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by a net force.

• Second Law: $F = m a$

• Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Work and Energy

• Work: $W = F d \cos \theta$

• Kinetic Energy: $K = \frac{1}{2} m v^2$

• Potential Energy (Gravity): $U_g = m g h$

• Conservation of Energy: $E_{total} = K + U$ (constant for isolated systems)

Momentum and Collisions

• Momentum: $p = m v$

• Impulse: $J = F \Delta t = \Delta p$

• Conservation of Momentum: $m_1 v_1 + m_2 v_2 = m_1 v_1' + m_2 v_2'$ (for elastic/inelastic collisions)

Rotational Motion

• Angular Displacement: $\theta = \theta_0 + \omega_0 t + \frac{1}{2} \alpha t^2$

• Angular Velocity: $\omega = \omega_0 + \alpha t$

• Moment of Inertia: $I = \sum m_i r_i^2$

• Rotational Kinetic Energy: $K_{rot} = \frac{1}{2} I \omega^2$

Oscillations and Waves

• Simple Harmonic Motion: $x(t) = A \cos(\omega t + \phi)$

• Hooke's Law: $F = -k x$

• Wave Speed: $v = f \lambda$

Fluids

• Density: $\rho = \frac{m}{V}$

• Pressure: $P = \frac{F}{A}$

• Archimedes' Principle: Buoyant force equals weight of displaced fluid

• Bernoulli's Equation: $P + \frac{1}{2} \rho v^2 + \rho g h = \text{constant}$

Thermodynamics

• First Law: $\Delta U = Q - W$

• Ideal Gas Law: $PV = nRT$

• Entropy: $\Delta S = \frac{Q_{rev}}{T}$

• Efficiency: $\eta = \frac{W_{out}}{Q_{in}}$

Waves and Sound

• Superposition Principle: The resultant wave is the sum of individual waves

• Doppler Effect: $f' = f \left( \frac{v + v_{observer}}{v - v_{source}} \right)$

• Beat Frequency: $f_{beat} = |f_1 - f_2|$

Additional info: This syllabus covers all foundational topics in introductory college physics, matching the standard sequence and content for General Physics I. Students are expected to master both conceptual understanding and quantitative problem-solving across these areas.