ChE Tulsa University

 
           

PHYS 2053  General Physics I
Required course for ChE program

Catalog Description:  Mechanics, wave motion, fluids, and thermodynamics.  Primarily for science and engineering students. 

Prerequisites:  High School Calculus (MATH 2014 recommended)

Corequisites:  MATH 2014 Calculus I

Textbook:  Fundamentals of Physics, Seventh Edition by Halliday, Resnick, and Walker; John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (2005).

Other Required Materials:  Class Notes by Jerry McCoy

Course Objective:  Develop an understanding and an ability to apply Newton’s laws and the related concepts and laws of work, energy and momentum to problems in translational and rotational mechanics.  Additionally, apply Newtonian mechanics to understand and analyze problems in gravitation, fluids, oscillations and waves.

Major Topics Covered in Course: 

  1. Measurement; Vectors
  2. 1 – 3 Dimensional Motion
  3. Newton’s Laws
  4. Work and Energy
  5. Linear Momentum
  6. Rotational Mechanics
  7. Equilibrium and Elasticity
  8. Gravitation
  9. Fluids
  10. Oscillations
  11. Waves

Class/Laboratory Schedule:  Class meets for three 50-minute lectures sessions and one 50-minute recitation session per week.

Professional Component Contribution:  This course is the first of three general physics courses for engineers that impart an understanding of and ability to apply foundational physical laws that are integral to all engineering applications.

Relationship to Program Outcomes:

  • Outcome a: This course requires use of algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and calculus (especially integration, differentiation, vectors and vector operations) to solve problems involving natural phenomena or technology that exemplify the terms, concepts and laws of physics.
  • Outcome b:  Occasional assigned problems require analysis and interpretation of experimental data.
  • Outcome c:  Occasional assigned problems involve calculations necessary to achieve a desired design goal.
  • Outcome d:  Students are encouraged to work together in groups on assigned problems.
  • Outcome e:  Problems are assigned and quizzes given each week so that students will develop the necessary problem-solving skills.
  • Outcome f:  Challenging course standards and assignments require students to conduct themselves professionally.  Ethical conduct in the course is discussed and required.
  • Outcome g:  Discussion questions are assigned each week and included on each exam.  These require students to communicate physics concepts effectively in writing.  Additionally, written summaries of text material are assigned for extra-credit.
  • Outcome h:  Physics is the foundational physical science; it is a necessary and significant component for a suitably broad engineering education. This course is the first of three required general physics courses for engineers. 
  • Outcome i:  Occasional discussions of applications and current progress in physics, especially how classical physics concepts have been superseded by modern concepts, promote awareness that physics is a dynamic field inviting ongoing study.
  • Outcome j:  Occasional discussions of current events and applications relevant to the course promote awareness of contemporary issues.
  • Outcome k:  Students must use scientific calculators and basic computer software (e.g., word processors, spreadsheets, etc.) to complete assignments.

Prepared by:  Jerry McCoy (September 18, 2005). Revised May 30, 2006