PHYS 221
Physics I (GE)
Credit hours (4)
Prerequisites: MATH 169 or MATH 171
Topics are studied utilizing calculus.
Note(s): General Education and Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course. Students
may not receive credit for both PHYS 111:PHYS 112 and PHYS 221: PHYS 222.
Detailed Description of Course
No prior knowledge of physics is assumed. The student is expected to have some facility
with elementary algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. By the second or third week of
the class, the concepts of instantaneous velocity and acceleration will be introduced.
These will be motivated physically and, initially, the use of calculus notation will
be treated as optional. As the semester proceeds, additional calculus will be used
as appropriate; its explicit use in homework and test problems will, however, be sparing
in PHYS 221. Vector analysis will be introduced as needed.
The major areas of mechanics which will be covered are:
1) One-dimensional motion, including free fall
2) Two-dimensional motion, including projectile motion
3) Newton's laws, with extensive applications
4) Work and energy
5) Linear momentum and collisions
6) Rotation of a rigid body
7) Simple harmonic motion
8) Gravitation
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
During the lecture periods, the basic principles of mechanics are presented and explained.
Every effort is made to relate these principles to the students' actual experiences.
Students are encouraged to participate in classroom discussion by asking questions
or by suggesting illustrations, applications, confirmations, or apparent violations
of the stated principles. As much time as possible will be devoted to problem solving.
The instructional strategy used here is example and practice. Detailed solutions to
typical problems are presented in class, with extensive explanation of the motivation
behind the steps followed in these solutions. The student is then encouraged to understand
the solution process, rather than to simply memorize the specific solutions themselves.
Homework problems allow the students to practice what they have learned. They are
strongly encouraged to do many problems and to wrestle with problems whose solutions
do not come easily. The lab exercises are designed to reinforce the student's understanding
of the basic physical principles which are discussed in the classroom and which are
applied in the problems. They also serve to introduce the student to experimental
procedures, data analysis, and the drawing of conclusions. Students work in groups
of 2 - 4. The instructor or an assistant circulates about the room in order to observe
the students' procedures, provide assistance, or pose questions for further investigation.
A lab report must be submitted for each lab exercise.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
1) Students will be introduced to physics - what it is, what it does, how it does
it.
2) Students will learn the principles of classical mechanics and how to relate
them to real-world physical situations.
3) Students will improve their problem solving ability, in particular , their
ability to solve quantitative problems which are posed verbally.
4) Students will improve their experimental skills, in particular, their ability
to take data, analyze it, and draw conclusions.
Core Curriculum Objectives (Goal 6: Physical and Natural Sciences)
Radford University students will understand the methodologies of scientific inquiry,
think critically about scientific problems, and apply principles of a scientific discipline
to solve problems in the natural/physical world.
Radford University students will be able to:
1) Distinguish between findings that are based upon empirical data and those that
are not.
2) Apply scientific principles within the context of a specific scientific discipline
to solve real world problems.
Assessment Measures
Progress toward Goals (1) and (2) above is assessed through informal discussion with
students during labs and office visits, and through classroom participation. Goal
(3) is assessed through homework problems, tests, and the final exam. All tests and
the final exam contain problems only. The students are expected to show all significant
work and will receive substantial partial credit for the correct plan of attack and
for the correct application of relevant equations. Clearly, students' performances
on these problems also measure their understanding of the physical principles referred
to in Goal (2). Students' lab skills are assessed through observation during the lab
period and through the submitted lab reports.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
March 1, 2018
June 20, 2015
September 2001
March 01, 2021