Textbooks and Materials by Robert A Cohen

Textbooks and Materials by Robert A Cohen

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Translation: You can use and copy this work for free as long as it remains unchanged, you keep it free (not primarily intended for or directed towards commercial advantage or monetary compensation), and credit is given to its creator (Robert A Cohen).

Algebra-based Physics

Textbook

The Fundamentals of Physics: Volume I (Force and Motion) (version 19.2)

This document is designed for the first semester of a two-semester algebra-based physics course for non-physics majors. It is subtitled "Force and Motion" because it examines the relationship between forces and (changes in) motion, with an emphasis on how to take a general idea (the relationship between force and motion) and apply it to many different situations (as opposed to having a different approach to every situation).

The Fundamentals of Physics: Volume II (Using Models) (version 18.1)

This document is designed for the second semester of a two-semester algebra-based physics course for non-physics majors. It is subtitled "Using Models" because it examines how we construct conceptual models to help us interpret abstract ideas. As with Volume I, the emphasis is identifying conceptual models that apply to many different situations (as opposed to having a different model for every situation). The context of volume II is on the four fundamental forces (gravitational, electric, nuclear, and magnetic), the three main ways we describe interactions (forces, fields and energy), circuits (both DC and AC), and waves and optics.

Checkpoint Answers

These documents provide the answers to the checkpoints that are embedded in Volume I and II.

The Fundamentals of Physics: Volume I (Force and Motion) Checkpoint Answers (version 19.2)

The Fundamentals of Physics: Volume II (Using Models) Checkpoint Answers (version 18.1)

Supplemental Readings

The Fundamentals of Physics: Supplemental Readings (version 1.2)

This document is designed as a supplement for the two-volume textbook entitled "The Fundamentals of Physics". It contains reference information and some physics and mathematical content that could be added to the course based on instructor preference.

Instructor Guide

The Fundamentals of Physics: Volume II (Using Models) Instructor Guide (version 18.1)

Changes

Changes from version 18.0 to 18.1 for The Fundamentals of Physics: Volume II (Using Models)

Atmospheric Physics

An Introduction to the Physics of Weather Prediction (version 11.2; in progress)

This document is designed for an introductory course on atmospheric physics, including atmospheric thermodynamics and dynamics, with a focus on the physics used in numerical weather prediction models. It assumes prior introductory coursework in physics, calculus and chemistry.

Simulations

Click on image to access the simulation.

Moving block: simulation of a block on a horizontal surface, that you can propel left or right using the arrow keys, with varying amounts of drag and/or friction. The purpose is to give students a sense of how the motion changes as one exerts a force on the object.

Vector Plot: simulation of three vectors, with sliders to change the magnitude and direction of each. With a click of box you can show the components of each vector. You can move around each vector to visualize the total (by placing them head to tail, for example). The purpose is to give students a sense of how the components are related to the vector.

Wave Interference: shows the addition of two sine waves, and you can shift the phase of one of the two waves to see the impact that has on the sum.

Charge Pair Interaction: simulates two oppositely-charged particles as they attract and "bounce" off, with bars showing the potential and kinetic energy. This simulation is to be used with the Charge Interactions simulation.

Charge Interactions: simulates two oppositely-charged particles as they attract and "bounce" off, with bars showing the potential and kinetic energy, but with a bunch of neutral particles that "get in the way". The neutral particles "siphon" off the energy, allowing the two particles to "bond". This simulation is designed to illustrate how energy is "released" when two atoms bond and is designed to be used with the Charge Pair Interaction simulation.

Electrons: simulation of a square conductor, and the user can deposit excesss electrons onto the conductor to see how they repel one another and, given the presence of some resistance, the excess electrons eventually spread around the surface, with a high concentration at the corners.

Electrons2: similar to the Electrons simulation but with two square conductors, and prepopulated with excess electrons.

Electrons3d: similar to the Electrons simulation but in three dimensions.

Box Induction: simulates a box split into three parts, allowing the user to charge each part by induction, via the manipulation of an external charge and the connection or separation of the three parts.

Last updated: February, 2024.

rcohen@esu.edu

	Moving block: simulation of a block on a horizontal surface, that you can propel left or right using the arrow keys, with varying amounts of drag and/or friction. The purpose is to give students a sense of how the motion changes as one exerts a force on the object.
	Vector Plot: simulation of three vectors, with sliders to change the magnitude and direction of each. With a click of box you can show the components of each vector. You can move around each vector to visualize the total (by placing them head to tail, for example). The purpose is to give students a sense of how the components are related to the vector.
	Wave Interference: shows the addition of two sine waves, and you can shift the phase of one of the two waves to see the impact that has on the sum.
	Charge Pair Interaction: simulates two oppositely-charged particles as they attract and "bounce" off, with bars showing the potential and kinetic energy. This simulation is to be used with the Charge Interactions simulation.
	Charge Interactions: simulates two oppositely-charged particles as they attract and "bounce" off, with bars showing the potential and kinetic energy, but with a bunch of neutral particles that "get in the way". The neutral particles "siphon" off the energy, allowing the two particles to "bond". This simulation is designed to illustrate how energy is "released" when two atoms bond and is designed to be used with the Charge Pair Interaction simulation.
	Electrons: simulation of a square conductor, and the user can deposit excesss electrons onto the conductor to see how they repel one another and, given the presence of some resistance, the excess electrons eventually spread around the surface, with a high concentration at the corners.
	Electrons2: similar to the Electrons simulation but with two square conductors, and prepopulated with excess electrons.
	Electrons3d: similar to the Electrons simulation but in three dimensions.
	Box Induction: simulates a box split into three parts, allowing the user to charge each part by induction, via the manipulation of an external charge and the connection or separation of the three parts.