Course Outline for Physics 4A
General Physics I

Effective: Fall 2024
SLO Rev: 10/30/2017
Catalog Description:

PHYS 4A - General Physics I

5.00 Units

Introduction to the principles of Newtonian mechanics using calculus as needed for STEM Majors. Physics 4A is the first course in the three- or four-semester sequence required for transfer in Engineering and Sciences. The course includes units, dimensional analysis, vectors, kinematics, velocity, acceleration, force, dynamics, energy, momentum, rotation, statics, and gravitation. May not receive credit if PHYS 7A has been completed successfully.
Prerequisite: MTH 1, MTH 2 (MTH 2 may be taken concurrently), Strongly Recommended: PHYS 18 or 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. analyze and solve a variety of problems often using calculus in topics such as:
    a. addition, subtraction, dot product and cross product of vectors;
    b. linear and rotational kinematics;
    c. dynamics;
    d. momentum;
    e. work, kinetic energy, and potential energy;
    f. rotational kinematics and dynamics;
    g. statics;
    h. gravitation.
  2. operate standard laboratory equipment;
  3. analyze laboratory data;
  4. write comprehensive laboratory reports according to published lab report standards.
Course Content:

Course Content (Lecture):

  1. Kinematics in one dimension
  2. Vectors
  3. Kinematics in three dimensions
  4. Dynamics ? Newton's Laws
  5. Work and energy
  6. Conservation of energy
  7. Systems of particles
  8. Collisions
  9. Kinematics of a rigid body
  10. Dynamics of a rigid body
  11. Static equilibrium of a rigid body
  12. Gravitation

Course Content (Laboratory):

  1. Laboratory experiments, simulations, and activities exploring the lecture content that may include the following concepts
    1. Kinematics in one dimension (Determination of “g”, Measuring Velocities & Accelerations) 
    2. Vectors
    3. Kinematics in three dimensions (Projectile Motion)
    4. Dynamics ? Newton's Laws (Force Tables, Atwood’s Machine, Friction, Drag Coefficients)
    5. Work and energy
    6. Conservation of energy
    7. Systems of particles
    8. Collisions (Conservation of Linear Momenta, Ballistic Pendulum)
    9. Kinematics of a rigid body (Rolling, Moment of Inertia)
    10. Dynamics of a rigid body (Torque, Angular acceleration, Conservation of Angular Momenta)
    11. Static equilibrium of a rigid body
    12. Gravitation
  2. Experimental Technique, Manual and Computerized Collection and Analysis of Data, Error Analysis.
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Lecture/Discussion
  2. Laboratory
  3. Demonstration/Exercise
  4. Group Activities
  5. Distance Education
  6. Presentation
  7. Research Report
  8. Problem Solving
  9. Laboratory exercises
  10. Lectures
  11. Textbook reading assignments
  12. Class and group discussions
  13. Research project
  14. Oral and Written Analysis
  15. Demonstration
  16. Online Assignments
  17. Computer-based interactive curriculum
  18. Simulations
  19. Written assignments
  20. Lecture/Discussion
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Complete 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. Write 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. Execute 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. Participate 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. Homework
  2. Quizzes
  3. Written Laboratory reports (individual and group) based on the Physics Department Laboratory Standards and graded on criteria that may include the following: 1) Description of experimental procedures 2) Completeness of data collected 3) Quality of data collected 4) Computational precision and accuracy 5) Accuracy and precision of experimental laboratory results 6) Proper use of symbolic notation 7) Quality of analysis of scientific principles explored 8) Quality of narrative explanations and reasoning 9) Representation of data in tables or diagrams 10) Evaluation of the experiment overall, including accuracy and error
  4. Midterm Examination
  5. Final Examination
  6. Research Projects
  7. Projects
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Demonstrate student improvement in learning using the Force Concept Inventory with a pre- and post-class survey to establish a normalized gain ("NG"), or similar instrument from Physics education research.
  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, linear momentum, rotational motion and dynamics, static equilibrium, and oscillations.
  3. Demonstrate qualitative mastery of physics 4A concepts in mechanics, energy, rotation, statics, and/or gravity through presentations, group projects, research papers, and/or homework essays
  4. Demonstrate mastery of Physics 4A lab experiment through submission of a complete lab report with all requirement elements present, including abstract; introduction; materials, methods, and procedures; data and analysis; results and discussion; references; data tables.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Young & Freedman (2019). University Physics (15th). Pearson/Addison Wesley.
  1. Chabot College Physics. Physics 4A Lab Manual. Chabot College, 2023.
  1. .

Mastering Physics (or equivalent online learning systems for HW, quizzes, tutorials, tutoring, and videos).  A separate subscription is required (with or without an e-text)

Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Introduction to the principles of Newtonian mechanics using calculus.
Prerequisite: MTH 1, MTH 2 (MTH 2 may be taken concurrently), Strongly Recommended: PHYS 18 or High School Physics
Discipline:
Physics/Astronomy*