PHYS 131
Fundamental Physics I
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Fundamental Physics I covers the basics of force, acceleration, and
energy using trigonometry and algebra. No calculus is used. A series
of laboratory activities is used in support of the material.
Lecture: The lecture meets three times a week as with any other normal
course. You need to be present at the classroom meeting place in order
to benefit from the lecture portion of the class, upon which 75% of the
grade is based.
Lab: In addition to meeting three
hours each week, this course also has a lab component.
Instructor: Robert A. Cohen
Meeting Place: 118 Gessner
|Lab Final Info|
Send e-mail to
course instructor (Robert
Cohen)
Practice Quiz Solutions (requires Acrobat Reader)
The math supplement has short readings on the following areas:
Mathematical Notation (variable symbols and unit symbols)
Algebraic Techniques
Units
Scientific Notation
Equation Types
Graphing
Averages
Trigonometry
Powers of Ten (Logarithms)
The math supplement requires Acrobat Reader.
Links
- How to Get the Most out of Studying (Stephen Chew, Samford University)
- Story about a flipped classroom
(might give you some insight into why the homework in this class focuses on the approach you use, not the answer)
- Five habits of a critical thinker
- Resources for Teaching Premedical Physics (Haverford U, S. A. Kane)
- Why not just tell you what you need to
know?
- Glossary of science words
translated to various languages.
- Science on the Simpsons
- Videos by ESPN on various
physical concepts.
- Science of NFL football (includes vectors,
projectile motion, Newton's laws of motion and torque)
- shoot the monkey (from three perspectives)
- Simulations from the
University of Oregon.
- Video of a flea pulling a textbook (no friction).
- Physics Applets from Berkeley.
- Practical Physics (out of print textbook with examples of practical applications
of physics.
- Physics - The First Science (algebra-based physics textbook by Peter Lindenfeld and Suzanne White Brahmia)
- Search for physics demonstrations at The
Physics Learning Laboratories
- General help (tutoring, explanations, simulations, etc.) can be found at
The Physics Classroom
- EquMath is a site that explains mathematical techniques (like algebra and
trigonometry); I believe the site is from Russia
- Vectors
- Practice determining
Components
of vectors using sines and cosines. In this simulation, you need to choose whether sine
or cosine is appropriate based upon the angle that is given and the requested component.
This is from the
Vectors
portion of the Physics Illuminations Project.
- In the Vector Simulator
you can create two vectors and the simulator will automatically calculate the components
and draw the vector sum. Add up the components as a check.
- Vector
Math allows you to draw two vectors and add or subtract them. To see the addition or
subtraction, you must arrange the vectors head-to-tail for addition and tail-to-tail or
head-to-head for subtraction. Add or subtract the components as a check.
- visualization of Mars Rover mission (relates to Newton's first law)
- Animations from St. Mary's High School
- Frames of Reference (video)
- Projectile Motion
- Collisions
- Simulations
- Video of a dropped slinky.
- RollerDouble by Erik Neumann (good context for energy)
- Learningscience.org has a whole host of simulations, for all sciences.
- PADs has interactive graphs and exercises.
- Ball
on Track (with graphing) from U of Pennsylvania.
- Interactive
Conceptual Tutoring (Automated Physics Tutor)
- One resource of applications of physics to biology is given
here.
- Syllabi
of physics courses elsewhere
- How Stuff Works
- Interesting questions
- Powers
of 10 video.
- Context-Rich
Problems
- Interactive Physics simulations
- LineRider simulations
- Velocity Raptor (relativity game by TestTubeGames)
- A slower speed of light (MIT Game Lab)
Last updated: November, 2014
This page maintained by:
rcohen@po-box.esu.edu