PH 101 Fundamentals of Physics

This 'Fundamentals of Physics' course provide an introduction to a broad range of fundamental physics concepts. PH 101 is recommended for anyone seeking a good basic level of physics literacy. The sequence is designed for non-science majors, but also serves prospective science majors who want to gain a better conceptual grounding before taking General Physics. Emphasis is on everyday phenomena and conceptual understanding. PH 101 focuses on the nature of science, data analysis, Newton's explanation of motion, momentum, energy, gravity, the atomic nature of matter, and properties of solids, liquids, gases, and plasmas. The class environment includes labs, demonstrations, discussion, and individual and group activities. PH 101, 102, and 103 can be taken in any order.

Credits

4

Prerequisite

MTH 060 or above with C- or better OR equivalent placement via the math placement process. OR corequisite CG 123

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Gain familiarity with a wide variety of physical phenomena involving mechanical motion and the means by which they are described and explained
2. Correctly use elementary physics concepts regarding mechanical motion in some simple situations, and gain a significantly increased basic conceptual understanding of mechanical motion explained by Classical Mechanics
3. Converse and comprehend through communication using elementary descriptions and dynamical laws of mechanical motion and elementary diagrammatic (e.g. free body diagrams) and motion graph representations
4. Have familiarity with, the use of, and an elementary understanding of precision in measurement, drawing conclusions from experimental data about possible explanations of mechanical motion
5. Have familiarity with the use of scientific equipment to investigate mechanical motion
6. Formulate questions to move their thinking forward concerning the subject matter of the class
7. Be familiar with elementary application of basic Classical Mechanics concepts, including Newton’s Laws, Work and the Work-Energy Relation, Conservation of Energy, Impulse and the Impulse-Momentum Relation, Conservation of Momentum, Torque, and Angular Momentum
8. Be aware of possible uses and impacts of this physics knowledge
9. Be able to converse and write about the nature of science with increased sophistication and see physics as a science, rather than a body of knowledge
10. Appreciate that the insights provided by classical mechanics are valuable and useful even though physics has developed beyond Classical Mechanics and beyond mechanical theories - of which Classical Mechanics is a premier example - which are fundamentally limited
11. Have a greater appreciation that energy and technology have profound implications for humanity, which involve choices by society generally and scientists as well