In the absence of any other proof, the thumb alone would convince me of God's
existence.
This is the first semester of a three-semester, calculus-based physics sequence. The following semesters are PS 208 - Physics II, and PS 219 - Physics III. We will cover Vector and scalar quantities, Newton's Laws of motion and gravitation, Friction, Work, energy, and power. Torque and rotational motion. Linear and angular momentum. Corequisite: MA 242, PS 216.
Text: University Physics, 11th edition,
by Young and Freedman.
Chapters 1 - 10
See the syllabus
for more detailed information.
Recommendations for study.
Challenging problems
for extra credit.
WELCOME!
The skill to do math on a page
Has declined to the point of outrage
Equations quadratica
Are solved on Math'matica,
And on birthdays we don't know our age
An infinite (!) Atwood machine
The Quark and the Jaguar, by Murray Gell-Mann
Big
Bertha
Basics
of Space Flight
Gravity
& Mechanics
Hyatt
Regency Walkway Collapse
more
Information about tribology (friction)
can be found at Robert
Carpick's web site.
Aristotle's PHYSICS
(or here)
Philosophy of
Nature, by Ian Thompson
Thomas Aquinas
(or here)
The Galileo Project
Tutorials
The Physics Hypertext
Hyperphysics
Active
Physics
ThinkQuest
|
|
Exam
schedule Hurricane
modified |
|
|
Exam |
Date |
Chapters
in Young |
|
1 |
Friday, Oct 15 |
1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
2 |
Friday, Nov 12 |
5, 6, 7 |
|
Final |
Monday, Dec 13 |
1-11 |
Listening to lectures is not enough. All processes of learning are somehow connected to active participation, and the learning of physics is no exception. Therefore, it is imperative that you work diligently at your own desk. However, this does not mean that you should only work alone. I encourage you to form study groups and collaborate with your classmates.
Available at the Jack R. Hunt Library are the following items:
Understanding
Physics, by Isaac Asimov - a great science fiction writer explains
physics.
Cartoon Guide
to Physics, by Gonick and Huffman - physical principles in a visual format.
3000 Physics
Problems - lots and lots of practice quantitative problems.
Practice at problem solving is an important part of learning physics, especially for engineers. I suggest that you work as many problems as possible. I have assigned problems from each chapter, and I will post solutions to certain problems from the text. Problem solving techniques can be found here.