vcc.ca
PHYS 1100: Physics 1
Effective date
September 2020
Department
UT Sciences
School
Arts and Sciences
Description
This course is the first half of a standard 1st year calculus-based physics course (PHYS 1200 is the second half). The course covers mechanics, including vectors, kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum, rotational motion, oscillations, waves, and sound. In the laboratory, students will develop measurement, analysis and lab report writing skills.
Credits
4.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
Physics 12 with a minimum 'C+' grade or equivalent; Precalculus 12 with a minimum 'C+' grade or equivalent; MATH 1100 Calculus 1 taken prior or concurrently.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the properties of vectors and use them to solve mechanics problems.
- Apply a structured knowledge of concepts, such as kinematics, Newton's laws, the Conservation laws, Hooke's law, Simple Harmonic Motion, waves, optics, and relativity, when solving related problems.
- Use a step-by-step problem solving strategy to tackle sophisticated problems.
- Use drawings and graphs to demonstrate understanding of basic calculus ideas.
- Perform appropriate data collection and analysis to investigate a physical relationship.
- Apply research skills such as measurement taking, uncertainty propagation, graphical analysis, statistics and formal report writing, when working in the lab.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 60
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 60
Total Hours: 120
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 60
Total Hours: 120
Instructional Strategies
Lecture periods will emphasize an activity-based learning environment. This environment will be created through student investigation activities (using probes and sensors for example), problem-solving worksheets, discussion of concepts in class and interactive demonstrations. Six or more laboratory activities will focus on the determination of physical relationships.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
D
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Midterm Exam |
30 |
Two midterms at 15% each |
|
Final Exam |
30 |
|
|
Lab Work |
30 |
Two formal lab reports plus a number of informal labs |
|
Assignments |
10 |
|
Course topics
- Vectors
- Translational kinematics
- Projectile motion
- Newton's laws and free body diagrams
- Friction
- Work and energy
- Potential energy
- Work-energy theorem
- Rotational kinetics, moment of inertia, torque
- Rotational dynamics
- Angular momentum and rolling bodies
- Gravitation
- Physical optics - reflection, refraction and lenses
- Simple harmonic motion and pendulums
- Waves, sound, interference, standing waves, Doppler effect
- Relativity
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.