Course Outline for Physics 7A
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Classical Mechanics

Effective: Fall 2024
SLO Rev: 03/02/2021
Catalog Description:

PHYS 7A - Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Classical Mechanics

5.00 Units

Introduction to the principles of Newtonian mechanics using calculus. Physics 7A is the first course in the sequence designed for engineering and science majors. Key concepts include use of vectors for motion, velocities, accelerations, and forces (kinematics), dynamics, kinetic and potential energy, conservation of energy, momentum, rotation, oscillations and gravitation. Not available for credit if Physics 4A has already been successfully completed.
Prerequisite: MTH 1, MTH 2 (may be taken concurrently), Strongly Recommended: PHYS 18 or equivalent high school Physics
1902.00 - Physics, General
Letter Grade Only
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 4.00 72.00 144.00 216.00
Laboratory 1.00 54.00 0.00 54.00
Total 5.00 126.00 144.00 270.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Construct vectors in three dimensions to model physical phenomena, and perform algebraic calculations with these vectors;
  2. Use algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and calculus to model physical phenomena and calculate relevant physical parameters;
  3. Predict the future trajectory of an object moving in two dimensions with uniform acceleration;
  4. Analyze a physical situation with multiple constant forces acting on a point mass using Newtonian mechanics;
  5. Analyze a physical situation with multiple forces acting on a point mass or extended object using concepts of work and energy;
  6. Analyze a physical situation with multiple forces acting on an extended object using the concept of torque;
  7. Calculate the moment of inertia and angular momentum of an extended object or system of objects, using calculus if necessary;
  8. Analyze collisions of point masses and extended objects using the concept of conservation of linear and angular momentum;
  9. Analyze situations in which the gravitational acceleration changes as a function of distance using Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation;
  10. Design, perform, analyze, and assess the effectiveness of simple experiments to demonstrate physical phenomena;
  11. Operate standard laboratory equipment and analysis tools, including digital data acquisition systems, spreadsheet programs, and plotting programs;
  12. Analyze real-world experimental data, including appropriate use of error propagation, units and significant figures;
  13. Relate the results of experimental data to the physical concepts discussed in the lecture portion of the class;
  14. Write comprehensive laboratory reports that describe the scientific basis of the experiment, clearly explain the experimental
    procedure, present a complete mathematical analysis of data and uncertainties, and evaluate the effectiveness of the experiment
    based on calculated uncertainties.
Course Content:

Course Content (Lecture):

  1. Physics and Measurement
    1. Standards of Length, Mass and Time
    2. Matter and Model Building
    3. Density and Atomic Mass
    4. Dimensional Analysis
    5. Conversion of Units
    6. Estimates and Order-of-Magnitude Calculations
    7. Significant Figures
  2. Motion in One Dimension
    1. Position, Velocity, and Speed
    2. Instantaneous Velocity and Speed
    3. Acceleration
    4. Motion Diagrams
    5. One-Dimensional Motion with Constant Acceleration
    6. Freely Falling Objects
    7. Kinematic Equations Derived from Calculus
    8. General Problem-Solving Strategy
  3. Vectors
    1. Coordinate Systems
    2. Vector and Scalar Quantities
    3. Some Properties of Vectors
    4. Components of a Vector and Unit Vectors
  4. Motion in Two Dimensions
    1. The Position, Velocity and Acceleration Vectors
    2. Two-Dimensional Motion with Constant Acceleration
    3. Projectile Motion
    4. Uniform Circular Motion
    5. Tangential and Radial Acceleration
    6. Relative Velocity and Relative Acceleration
  5. The Laws of Motion
    1. The Concept of Force
    2. Newton’s First Law and Inertial Frames
    3. Mass
    4. Newton’s Second Law
    5. The Gravitational Force and Weight
    6. Newton’s Third Law
    7. Some Applications of Newton’s Laws
    8. Forces of Friction
  6. Circular Motion and Other Applications of Newton’s Laws
    1. Newton’s Second Law Applied to Uniform Circular Motion
    2. Non-uniform Circular Motion
    3. Motion in the Presence of Resistive Forces
  7. Energy and Energy Transfer
    1. Systems and Environments
    2. Work Done by a Constant Force
    3. The Scalar Product of Two Vectors
    4. Work Done by a Varying Force
    5. Kinetic Energy and the Work-Kinetic Energy Theorem
    6. The Nonisolated System – Conservation of Energy
    7. Situations Involving Kinetic Friction
    8. Power
  8.  Potential Energy
    1. Potential Energy of a System
    2. The Isolated System – Conservation of Mechanical Energy
    3. Conservative and Non-conservative Forces
    4. Changes in Mechanical Energy for Non-conservative Forces
    5. Relationship Between Conservative Forces and Potential Energy
    6. Energy Diagrams and Equilibrium of a System.
  9. Linear Momentum and Collisions
    1. Linear Momentum and Its Conservation
    2. Impulse and Momentum
    3. Collisions in One Dimension
    4. Two-Dimensional Collisions
    5. The Center of Mass
    6. Motion of a System of Particles
    7. Rocket Propulsion
  10. Rotation of a Rigid Object around a Fixed Axis
    1. Angular Position, Velocity and Acceleration
    2. Rotational Kinematics: Rotational Motion with Constant Angular Acceleration
    3. Angular and Linear Quantities
    4. Rotational Kinetic Energy
    5. Calculation of Moments of Inertia
    6. Torque
    7. Relationship Between Torque and Angular Acceleration
    8. Work, Power and Energy in Rotational Motion
    9. Rolling Motion of a Rigid Object
  11. Angular Momentum
    1. The Vector Product and Torque
    2. Angular Momentum
    3. Angular Momentum of a Rotating Rigid Object
    4. Conservation of Angular Momentum
    5. The Motion of Gyroscopes and Tops
  12. Static Equilibrium and Elasticity
    1. The Conditions of Equilibrium
    2. More on the Center of Gravity
    3. Examples of Rigid Objects in Static Equilibrium
    4. Elastic Properties of Solids
  13. Universal Gravitation
    1. Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
    2. Measuring the Gravitational Constant
    3. Free-Fall Acceleration and the Gravitational Force
    4. Kepler’s Laws and the Motion of Planets
    5. The Gravitational Field
    6. Gravitational Potential Energy
    7. Energy Considerations in Planetary and Satellite Motion

Course Content (Laboratory):

  1. Laboratory experiments, simulations, and activities exploring the lecture content that may include the following concepts
    1. Accuracy, Precision, and Significant Figures
    2. Kinematics in one dimension (Determination of “g”, Measuring Velocities & Accelerations) 
    3. Vectors
    4. Kinematics in three dimensions (Projectile Motion)
    5. Dynamics ? Newton's Laws (Force Tables, Atwood’s Machine, Friction, Drag Coefficients)
    6. Work and energy
    7. Conservation of energy
    8. Systems of particles
    9. Collisions (Conservation of Linear Momenta, Ballistic Pendulum)
    10. Kinematics of a rigid body (Rolling, Moment of Inertia)
    11. Dynamics of a rigid body (Torque, Angular acceleration, Conservation of Angular Momenta)
    12. Static equilibrium of a rigid body
    13. Gravitation
  2. Experimental Technique, Manual and Computerized Collection and Analysis of Data, Error Analysis.
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Demonstration
  2. Class and group discussions
  3. Laboratory
  4. Lecture/Discussion
  5. Problem Solving
  6. Computer-based interactive curriculum
  7. Presentation
  8. Group Activities
  9. Laboratory exercises
  10. Lectures
  11. Textbook reading assignments
  12. Use of Recordings
  13. Simulations
  14. Group Presentations
  15. Written assignments
  16. Online Assignments
  17. Hands-on Activities
  18. Research project
  19. Presentation of audio-visual materials
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Weekly homework/question sets: 10+ discussion and/or numerical problems taken from the textbook and online homework systems. Example: A window washer of mass M is sitting on a platform suspended by a system of cables and pulleys as shown . He is pulling on the cable with a force of magnitude F. The cables and pulleys are ideal (massless and frictionless), and the platform has negligible mass. Find the magnitude of the minimum force F that allows the window washer to move upward.
  2. Laboratory reports (individual and group), including computer-based data acquisition and analysis. Example: Determine the acceleration due to earth’s gravitational force with three different free-fall methods: Timed free-fall, spark tape, and Vernier computerized data acquisition. Explore the use of graphs and equations for distance vs. time, and velocity vs. time, to determine “g”, the earth’s gravitational acceleration. Master the difference between precision - measuring carefully and accounting for uncertainty in your measurement - and accuracy - measuring correctly and coming close to the “right” answer.
  3. Written assignments that encourage critical thinking and writing skills by including essays which involve analytical reasoning; Special exercise worksheets; computer simulations and tutorials; individual and group activities, research papers, long-term individual and group projects. Example: Research an application of physics related to a topic from our class, and write a 5+ page paper, including at least 5 current outside references. Present your work to the class in a 10-minute presentation, and develop a handout to support your presentation.
  4. Participation in email and web-based instruction, discussion, homework assignments, and tutorials, including web-based research on topics dealing with physics and its applications to technology.
  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Quizzes
  3. Papers
  4. Oral Presentation
  5. Class Participation
  6. Class Work
  7. Homework
  8. Lab Activities
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. demonstrate improvement in learning over the term using the Force Concept Inventory with a pre- and post-class survey and normalized gain ("NG") or similar instrument;
  2. read, translate, diagram and successfully solve qualitatively key word problems involving the concepts of kinematics in one, two, and three dimensions, Newton's Laws of motion, gravitation, work and energy, linearmomentum,gfrotational motion and dynamics, static equilibrium, and gravitation;
  3. demonstrate qualitative mastery of physics 7A concepts in mechanics, energy, rotation, statics, and/or gravity through presentations, group projects, research papers, and/or homework essays;
  4. demonstrate ability to communicate Mastery of Physics 7A lab experiment through submission of a complete lab report with all required elements present, including abstract; introduction; materials, methods, and procedures; data and analysis; results and discussion; references; data tables.
  5. design and conduct laboratory experiments, and analyze and interpret their data;
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Young, H., R. Freedman. (2019). University Physics (15th). Pearson Education.
  2. Halliday, D., R. Resnick, J. Walker. (2022). Fundamentals of Physics (Extended) (12th). Wiley.
  3. Knight, R. (2017). Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach (4th). Pearson Education.
  1. Vernier. Physics with Computers. Vernier, 2019.
  1. Modified Mastering Physics. Pearson Education, (/e).
  • Programmable scientific calculator capable of graphing
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Introduction to the principles of Newtonian mechanics using calculus. The 1st physics course in the physics sequence for science and engineering majors.
Prerequisite: MTH 1, MTH 2 (may be taken concurrently), Strongly Recommended: PHYS 18 or equivalent high school Physics
Discipline:
Physics/Astronomy*