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General Physics I
PHY250 | 3 Credits
General Physics I explores topics like kinematics and the study of energy, power, and momentum. Get a deep understanding of these topics that you can go on to apply to the rest of your science coursework!
Professor: Dr. Santosh Chakraborty
About General Physics I
What You’ll Learn
This General Physics course will introduce students to topics such as kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum, gravity, fluids, and thermodynamics.
- Understand the basic principles pertaining to Newtonian mechanics.
- Apply these principles to solve practical problems in these areas of study.
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WANT US TO CHECK?Course Details
This course will start with a descriptive approach. You will first learn about the branch of mechanics that describes motion. From mechanics, you’ll move to the study of energy, power, and momentum. These concepts will be defined rigorously. You’ll learn how Newton’s laws need to be modified to avoid limitations: a few new and simple ideas introduced by Einstein. To conclude, you’ll learn about Heat and Thermodynamics, including the 1st and 2nd Law of Thermodynamics.
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ACE Code:
OOSL-0023
Flexible Schedule
29-day Average Course Completion
Science Courses Have Transferred 10,900 times
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Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course. However, it is suggested that students complete Calculus I (MAT250) prior to enrolling in this course.
Course Text
A textbook is not required for this course.
Course Checkpoints
Checkpoint 1: Preliminaries
- Welcome to Physics
- Physical Quantities and Units of Measurement
- Unit Conversion and Dimensional Analysis
- Uncertainty in Measurement and Significant Digits
- The Basics of Vectors
- Vector Components and Unit Vectors
- The Scalar Product
- The Vector Product
- Checkpoint 1 Practice Review
Checkpoint 2: Kinematics
- Describing Motion
- Displacement and Average Velocity
- Understanding Instantaneous Velocity
- Instantaneous Velocity and the Derivative
- Acceleration
- Another Look at Position, Velocity, and Acceleration
- Describing Motion Under Constant Acceleration
- Solving Problems Involving Motion Under Constant Acceleration
- Free-Falling Objects
- The Position and Velocity Vectors
- The Acceleration Vector
- Relating Position, Velocity, and Acceleration Vectors in Two Dimensions
- A First Look at Projectile Motion
- Understanding Projectile Motion
- Physics in Action: Toss-and-Catch from Two Points of View
- Checkpoint 2 Practice Review
Checkpoint 3: Dynamics
- Newton's First Law
- Physics in Action: The Three Balls Demo
- Introduction to Newton's Second Law
- The Vector Nature of Force and Newton's Second Law
- Weight
- Actions, Reactions, and Newton's Third Law
- Physics in Action: A Tug-of-War
- Free-Body Diagrams
- Solving Problems Using Newton's Laws: Ropes and Tension
- Solving Problems Using Newton's Laws: Inclines and the Normal Force
- Understanding the Frictional Force Between Two Surfaces
- Problems on Friction and Inclines
- Motion Through a Fluid: Drag Force and Terminal Speed
- Forces and Uniform Circular Motion
- Solving Circular Motion Problems
- Checkpoint 3 Practice Review
Checkpoint 4: Energy
- The Work Done by a Constant Force in One Dimension
- The Work Done by a Constant Force in Two Dimensions
- The Work Done by a Variable Force
- The Work Done by a Spring
- The Work-Kinetic Energy Theorem
- Solving Problems Involving Work and Kinetic Energy
- Power
- Work and Gravitational Potential Energy
- Conservative and Nonconservative Forces
- Calculating Potential Energy
- Understanding Conservation of Mechanical Energy
- Physics in Action: The Triple Chute
- Solving Problems Using Conservation of Mechanical Energy
- Potential Energy Functions and Energy Diagrams
- Work and Nonconservative Forces
- Physics in Action: The Giant Nose-Basher
- Conservation of Energy in General
- Checkpoint 4 Practice Review
Checkpoint 5: Momentum
- Linear Momentum and Impulse
- Solving Problems Using Linear Momentum and Impulse
- Conservation of Momentum
- Solving Problems Using Conservation of Momentum
- Rocket Propulsion
- Elastic Collisions in One Dimension
- Inelastic Collisions in One Dimension
- Collisions in Two Dimensions
- Checkpoint 5 Practice Review
Checkpoint 6: The Physics of Extended Objects
- The Center of Mass of a System of Particles
- The Center of Mass of a Rigid Body
- The Center of Mass and the Motion of a System of Particles
- Physics in Action: Motion and the Center of Mass
- Angular Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration
- Rotation with Constant Angular Acceleration
- Relating Angular and Linear Quantities
- The Kinetic Energy of Rotation
- Calculating the Rotational Inertia of Solid Bodies
- Torque
- Newton's Second Law for Rotational Motion
- Solving Problems Using Newton's Second Law for Rotational Motion
- Work and Power in Rotational Motion
- Understanding Rolling Motion
- Solving Problems Involving Rolling Motion
- Physics in Action: A Downhill Race
- The Definition of Angular Momentum
- Torque and Angular Momentum
- Understanding Conservation of Angular Momentum
- Physics in Action: Conservation of Angular Momentum
- Solving Problems Using Conservation of Angular Momentum
- Understanding Precession
- The Conditions for Static Equilibrium
- Understanding Stable Equilibrium and the Center of Gravity
- Solving Static Equilibrium Problems
- Checkpoint 6 Practice Review
Checkpoint 7: Force of Gravity
- Newton's Law of Gravitation
- Gravity of Earth
- Weightlessness
- Gravitational Potential Energy
- Understanding Circular Orbital Motion
- Kepler's Three Laws
- Energy in Orbital Motion
- Checkpoint 7 Practice Review
Checkpoint 8: Fluids
- Fluids, Density, and Pressure
- Physics in Action: A Bed of Nails
- How Pressure Varies with Depth
- Physics in Action: Pressure in a Graduated Cylinder
- Physics in Action: Pressure Changes in a Bell Jar
- Physics in Action: Barrel Crunch
- Pascal's Principle and Examples of Hydrostatics
- Buoyancy and Archimedes' Principle
- Physics in Action: Buoyancy in Air
- Fluid in Motion: Streamlines and Continuity
- Bernoulli's Equation
- Physics in Action: A Ball Caught in a Stream of Air
- Fluids in the Real World: Surface Tension, Turbulence, and Viscosity
- Checkpoint 8 Practice Review
Checkpoint 9: Relativity
- Einstein's Postulates
- The Relativity of Simultaneity
- Time Dilation
- Length Contraction
- The Lorentz Transformation Equations
- Solving Problems Using the Lorentz Transformations
- Relativistic Momentum
- Relativistic Energy
- A Clock Story
- Checkpoint 9 Practice Review
Checkpoint 10: Oscillatory Motion
- A Mass on a Spring: Simple Harmonic Motion
- The Equations Describing Simple Harmonic Motion
- Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion
- The Simple Pendulum
- Physical Pendulums
- Damped Simple Harmonic Motion
- Driven Oscillators
- Physics in Action: Resonance
- Checkpoint 10 Practice Review
Checkpoint 11: Waves
- Introduction to Waves
- A Wave on a Rope: Frequency and Wavelength
- A Wave on a Rope: Wave Speed
- A Wave on a Rope: Energy and Power
- Reflection, Transmission, and Superposition
- Interference
- Standing Waves: Two Waves Traveling in Opposite Directions
- Standing Waves on a String
- Physics in Action: Standing Waves on a Rope
- Longitudinal Standing Waves
- Physics in Action: Standing Waves on a Sheet of Metal
- Sound Waves
- Physics in Action: Sound Waves in a Flaming Pipe
- The Character of Sound and Fourier Analysis
- Physics in Action: Musical Instruments and Waveforms
- Intensity and Loudness
- Sound Waves and Interference
- Beats
- The Doppler Effect
- Checkpoint 11 Practice Review
Checkpoint 12: Temperature and Heat
- Mechanical Equivalent of Heat
- Specific and Latent Heat
- Heat Transfer and Thermal Expansion
- Checkpoint 12 Practice Review
Checkpoint 13: Kinetic Theory and Thermodynamics
- Ideal Gases
- Law of Thermodynamics
- Checkpoint 13 Practice Review
Assignments & Grading
Your score provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.
Assignments for this course include:
- 13 Checkpoints
- 6 Benchmarks
This course has an open-book Final Exam. Graphing calculators are allowed throughout the course.
What You’ll Need
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- Basic computer skills
- Graphing calculator
- Any required course materials
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Course Professor
Dr. Santosh Chakraborty
PhD
Dr. Santosh Chakraborty is an experienced Physics educator with a PhD, dedicated to fostering curiosity and deep understanding in learners across high school and college levels.
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A Strong Start to Your Stem Career
Engineering applies the principles of physics to solve problems. General Physics I lays the groundwork by teaching the fundamental laws of motion, energy, and forces that engineers use every day. A solid understanding of these concepts enables engineers to design safer and more efficient solutions.
Why it matters:
- There’s strong consistent demand for architects and engineers with 195,000 job openings projected per year between 2023–2032.
- Learning physics will give you the tools to push innovation in fields like aerospace, robotics, and renewable energy.
In-demand careers in this field include:
Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Physical Therapist Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Medical Assistant, Radiologic Technologist, Surgical Technologist, Paramedic/EMT
How this course sets you up for success:
Physics opens up a range of STEM fields and careers. Build technical skills that employers value and start your journey towards your degree in engineering or another STEM field.
3 Credits
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