Physics 123-124, Summer 2011

Textbook

The 13th edition is just out, however I ordered the 12th because some students already have that. Any edition will work. If you get a used book, don't worry about the "Mastering Physics" access code, I don't use it (though you can if you want to).

University Physics, Young and Freedman, Volume 1, 12 ed. without Mastering Physics, (ISBN 0-321-50062-8) and the Student Solutions Manual (ISBN 0-321-50063-6). If you are planning on taking Physics 227-228, it might be economical for you to buy University Physics, Extended Edition, with Mastering Physics (ISBN 0-8053-2187X). Volume 1 contains Chapters 1-20, Volume 2 is Chapters 21-37, Volume 3 is Chapters 37-44, the extended edition is Chapters 1-44. "Mastering Physics" is the publisher's web-based resource. It is not used in this summer course but all the other instructors do use it. If you buy a used textbook, don't worry about the access code for Mastering Physics for this summer course but you will need it for other courses. Older editions might work, I haven't seen them all. Sometimes a new edition just adds additional problems and web references. With the student solutions manual, outdated problems in an old edition won't be a problem. Since we're not using Mastering Physics, web references don't matter.

Prerequisites

Calculus is a pre- or co- requisite. Although derivatives and integrals of functions that we use will be relatively simple, a strong understanding of the concepts is required. Needless to say, the prerequites to calculus (algebra, trigonometry, basic geometry) must be mastered.

The most important (but unofficial) pre-requisite is a good high school course. This course will be too fast and hard if it's your first physics course.

Vector algebra will be covered in class as needed, however, it would be helpful for you to review beforehand. Given the magnitude and direction of a vector, you should be able to give its components - and vice-versa. You should be able to add vectors and take the scalar and vector products of two vectors.

Over the summer, we will cover Chapters 1 through 20. This dictates a pace of one chapter per class meeting. In no other course will new ideas come faster. Be prepared to commit the time this course will require. If you are not very well-prepared, this course alone will be almost a full load.

Syllabus

List of Topics – 123

We will start with algebraic and graphical descriptions of a particle in motion in one dimension. We will find the position and velocity as a function of time given the acceleration, covering in detail the special case of constant acceleration. Then we will generalize to motion in two dimensions discussing topics such as projectile motion and circular motion.

Newton's Laws will be introduced and the discussion of systems of forces on an object will create new opportunities for motion problems such as: an object moving on an inclined plane, Attwood's machine, objects suspended by cables, pulley machines, friction, etc. The forces involved in circular motion will be discussed and after energy and linear momentum are covered, circular motion will be covered in full.

The law of conservation of energy will be introduced. Knowledge of the energy of an object due to its velocity (kinetic energy) and position (potential energy), and the change in energy caused by external forces (work) will give you new techniques for solving for the motion of an object. The motion of falling bodies will be revisited and the important case of the motion of a mass on a spring will be covered.

Another conserved quantity in an isolated system is momentum. Application of the law of conservation of momentum will be useful in many situations. Collisions and other situations involving multiple particles can be solved without knowing about the forces.

Finally, rotational motion will be studied. The ideas of rotational kinematics, moment of inertia, torque and angular acceleration, angular momentum and rotational energy will be used to solve problems involving rotating bodies. Combined linear and rotational motion will also be encountered.

List of topics – 124

The motion of extended bodies (objects larger than points) with applied forces and torques will be studied. The special case of objects in equilibrium, ie zero acceleration, will be considered to solve many common problems.

The force of gravity will be studied including: the motion of objects in an inverse r-squared force field, gravitational potential energy, satellite and planetary motion.

Basic fluid mechanics, bouyant force, Bernoulli's equation will be covered.

Because of its importance, the harmonic oscillator will be studied in detail. The time dependence of position, velocity and acceleration in simple harmonic motion will be discussed in many applications. Wave motion will be discussed in general and also in specific media such as sound waves and waves on a string.

Approximately one third of the term will be dedicated to thermodynamics including: temperature, thermal properties, the ideal gas, heat and energy transfer, kinetic theory of gases, the Boltzman distribution, entropy and heat engines of various types.

Assignments

Your success in this course will be based on how well you can apply your knowledge and do problems. There will be many sources of problems and their solutions: examples in the book, examples in class, homework, quizzes and exams. The only way to do well at solving problems is to practice. Homework won't be collected, the course will proceed too fast for the normal cycle of assignments, grading, and return of homework. For the most part, you will be assigned problems that have solutions worked out in the text materials.