I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Principles of Physics

2. Course Prefix & Number:
PHYS 1407

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 2

Lab Hours: 2

4. Course Description:

This course introduces major concepts in physics through algebra-based description, problem-solving, and experimentation. Topics covered include motion, force, energy, momentum, mechanical waves, sound, properties of matter and fluid, heat, electricity & magnetism, atomic physics, and radiation and radioactivity. The hands-on laboratory experiments and experimental projects involve group work, measurements, analysis, report writing, and presentation. Students will develop critical thinking skills, apply scientific methods, and learn communication skills through oral presentations and written reports.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):	Algebra College Level or Pre-Calculus College Level or Calculus College Level	Score:
Other (specify test):	ACT	Score:	22

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

8. Prerequisite (Entry) Skills:
Operating a calculator

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Rochester Community and Technical College, PHYS 1103 Principles of Physics, 3 credits

III. Course Purpose

2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:
Goal 3 – Natural Sciences

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate written communication skills	Write solutions to physics problems competently.
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Apply physical laws and principles in the solution to a problem.
Utilize appropriate technology	Use calculator and mathematical software to solve physics problems.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Demonstrate understanding of laws of physics and physical principles by drawing conclusions based on the laws and principles applied to the given problems and situations (MnTC Goal 3);
• Demonstrate understanding of scientific theories in physics by presenting analyses of problems and situations based on the theories (MnTC Goal 3);
• Formulate and test hypotheses through laboratory experiments by collecting data, analyzing statistically and graphically, and identifying sources of error and uncertainty (MnTC Goal 3);
• Communicate the findings, analyses, and interpretations of experimental projects by oral presentations and in written reports (MnTC Goal 3);
• Communicate the findings, analyses, and interpretations of lab experiments in written reports (MnTC Goal 3);
• Evaluate societal issues from a physics perspective (MnTC Goal 3);
• Ask questions about the physical evidence presented (MnTC Goal 3);
• Make informed judgments about physics-related topics and policies (MnTC Goal 3); and
• Relate laws of physics and physical principles to natural phenomena in everyday life (MnTC Goal 3).

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Describing Motion
• Displacement
• Velocity
• Acceleration
• Free fall
2. Explaining Motion in Space
• Projectile motion
• Force and mass
• Newton's First Law of Motion
• Vectors
• Free-body diagrams
• Newton's Second Law of Motion
• Newton's Third Law of Motion
• Forces: weight, friction, tension
• Circular motion and rotational motion
• Torque and moment of inertia
3. Gravity
• Kepler's laws
• Fundamental interactions in nature
• Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation
• Gravity near earth surface
• Satellites
• Tides
• Gravitational fields
4. Momentum
• Momentum and impulse
• Conservation of linear momentum
• Collisions
• Airplanes and rockets and center of mass
• Conservation of angular momentum
5. Mechanical Energy
• Kinetic energy
• Potential energies
• Work
• Conservation of mechanical energy
• Power
6. Structure and States of Matter
• Atomic theory
• Phases of matter
• Pressure and temperature
• Ideal gas law
7. Fluid
• Solids, liquids, gases, plasmas
• Density
• Archimedes' Principle
• Pascal's Principle
• Bernoulli's Principle
8. Thermal and Internal Energy
• Heat
• Mechanical equivalent of heat
• Absolute temperature
• Internal energy and specific heat
• Thermal expansion
• Conduction and convection
• Radiation
• Heat engines and refrigerators
• Order, disorder, entropy
9. Vibrations and Sound
• Simple harmonic motion
• Resonance
• Waves
• Superposition, standing waves, and interference
• Diffraction
• Speed of sound
• Hearing
• Musical instruments
• Beats
• Doppler effect
• Shock waves
10. Electricity
• Charge
• Electric force
• Electric field and field lines
• Electric potential
• Electric current
• Batteries and voltage
• Resistance
• Electrical elements
• Electrical circuit
• Safety in electricity
• Electric power
11. Magnetism and Electromagnetism
• Magnets
• Magnetism due to electric currents
• Superconductivity
• Electric currents due to magnetism
• Transformers
• Generators and motors
• Electromagnetic waves
• Electromagnetic spectrum
12. Atomic Physics
• Atomic theory
• Black-body radiation
• Photoelectric effect
• Compton effect and De Brogli wave
• Early models of atom
• Bohr model
• Atomic spectra
• Periodic table
• Laser
13. Nucleus, Radioactivity, and Radiation
• Radioactivity
• Radiation
• Nucleus
• Neutrons
• Isotopes
• Radiation and matter
• Biological effects of radiation
• Accelerators
• Nuclear fission and chain reaction
• Nuclear reactors
• Nuclear fusion
• Nuclear energy
• Solar energy

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions

1. Measurements, Statistics, Error Analysis
2. Motion of Projectile and Human
3. Newton’s Second Law
4. Gravity
5. Latent Heat, Thermal Expansion
6. Simple Harmonic Motion, Speed of Sound, Resonance
7. Electrical Circuit, Magnetic Induction
8. Reflection, Refraction, Mirrors, Lenses, and Polarization
9. Interference and Diffraction
10. Emission and Absorption Spectra
11. Radioactivity and Radiation