College Physics I Syllabus for 2011-2012
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

PHYS-1401-001 College Physics I

Prerequisites

Math 1316

Course Description

Fundamentals of trigonometry based physics including a laboratory component covering topics of motion laws, fluid, heat and wave phenomenon.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

PHYSICS (Vol.1 Eighth Edition), by Cutnell & Johnson

            College Physics (I) Laboratory Manual, by Y.Sun

Supplies

 Graphing calculator such as TI-83, TI-84, TI-86, etc.

Student Performance

After completing this course, the student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the following topics:

1. Describe and solve one dimensional kinematic problems, especially uniformly accelerated motion problems.
2. Understand the definition of vector and use it to discussprojectile motion, relative motion, and uniform circular motion in two dimensions.
3. Familiar with three Newton's laws and use them to solve dynamic problems.
4. Understand the definitions of kinetic energy, potential energy, and mechanical energy. Use conservation of mechanical energy or work-energy theorem to solve problems for conservative systems and non-conservative systems.
5. Understand the definitions of linear momentum, impulse, and center of mass. Use linear momentum conservation to solve collision problems in one dimension and two dimensions.
6. Understand the definitions of angular quantities, moment of inertia, torque, and angular momentum. Solve simple kinematic and dynamic problems in rotation about a fixed axis.
7. Understand static equilibrium conditions and use them to solve static equilibrium problems.
8. Understand Pascal's principle, Achimedes' principle, and Bernoulli's equation including the applications to real-world problems.
9. Understand the definitions of temperature, heat, specific heat, and other concepts in thermal physics. Be able to solve thermal expansion problems and calorimetry problems.
10.  Understand the first and second laws of thermodynamics, ideal gas law, and the kinetic theory of gases. Be able to solve ideal gas problems and simple thermodynamic problems.
11. Describe simple harmonic motion, damped oscillation, forced vibration, and resonance.
12. Understand pulse wave, harmonic wave, and standing wave in one dimension.

After completing the lab part of the course, the student will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

1. Conduct basic laboratory experiments involving classical mechanics.
2. Prepare laboratory reports that clearly communicate experimental information in a logical and scientific manner.
3. Relate physical observations and measurements involving classical mechanics to theoretical principles.
4. Evaluate the accuracy of physical measurements and the potential sources of error in the measurements.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Students are expected to behavior in the classroom in a manner that is supportive of the learning environment.

Any student caught cheating a test will receive a grade of zero with no chance of the final replacing the grade.

For not distracting the attention of the instructor and other students, your cell phone or pager should be turned off during class time.

Grading Criteria

The following criteria will be used to determine your grade:

A:90 or above, B: 89-80, C: 79-70, D: 69-60, F: 59 or below.

Attendance

It is the responsibility of the student to attend both lecture and lab classes. None of them is optional. Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.

Calendar

Additional Information

Required Evaluation Activities:

4 Major Tests                             40%

Quizzes                                         5%

Homework Assignments*      15% 

10 Lab                                          15%

Attendance                                  5%

Final Exam                                  20%

 Make-up Policy:

The four major tests are all in-class tests. If a student misses one major test, the grade of the missing test will be replaced with the grade of the final exam. No makeup test will be given. If a student does not miss any of the major tests, the grade of the final exam, if higher, will replace the lowest grade of the four major tests.