Engineering Physics I Syllabus

COURSE IDENTIFICATION

Course Prefix/Number PHYS 104

Course Title Engineering Physics I
Division Applied Science Division
Program Physics
Credit Hours 4 credit hours
Revision Date Fall 2010
Assessment Goal per Outcome(s) 70%

INSTRUCTION CLASSIFICATION

Academic

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is the first semester of a calculus-based physics course primarily intended for
engineering and science majors. Course work includes studying forces and motion, and
the properties of matter and heat. Topics will include motion in one, two, and three
dimensions, mechanical equilibrium, momentum, energy, rotational motion and
dynamics, periodic motion, and conservation laws. The laboratory (taken concurrently)
presents exercises that are designed to reinforce the concepts presented and discussed
during the lectures.

PREREQUISITES AND/OR CO-RECQUISITES

MATH 150 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I

The engineering student should also be proficient in algebra and trigonometry.
Concurrent with Phys. 140 Engineering Physics I Laboratory

COURSE TEXT

*The official list of textbooks and materials for this course are found on Inside NC.

• COLLEGE PHYSICS, 2nd Ed. By Giambattista, Richardson, and Richardson,

McGraw-Hill, 2007.
• Additionally, the student must have a scientific calculator with trigonometric
functions.

COURSE OUTCOMES
• To understand and be able to apply the principles of classical Newtonian mechanics.

• To effectively communicate classical mechanics concepts and solutions to problems,

both in written English and through mathematics.
• To be able to apply critical thinking and problem solving skills in the application of
classical mechanics.
To demonstrate successfully accomplishing the course outcomes, the student should
be able to:
1) Demonstrate knowledge of physical concepts by their application in problem
solving.
Competencies:
a) Use significant digits appropriately in calculations;
b) Apply algebra and trigonometry (including graphical techniques) in problem
solving applications;
c) Solve problems regarding counting and measuring;
d) Solve problems regarding the mechanics of forces and motion, using
appropriate terminology, units, and equations;
e) Solve problems regarding the mechanical and thermal properties of matter.

2) Formulate problems using mathematical tools:

Competencies: The student will be able to:
a) Use significant digits appropriately in calculations;
b) Distinguish between accuracy and precision in measurements;
c) Apply algebra and trigonometry in problem solving applications; and
d) Demonstrate the ability communicate ideas and facts using equations, graphs,
and other symbolic tools

COURSE OUTLINE

1) Introduction to Physics
a) The use of mathematics
b) Dimensions analysis and units
c) Scientific notation and significant digits
d) graphs
2) Straight Line Motion
a) Velocity and acceleration
b) Equations for uniformly accelerated motion
c) Examples and applications
d) Relative velocity
3) Curved Motion
a) Uniform circular motion
b) Projectile motion
4) Newton’s Laws
a) The three laws
b) Using the laws (force diagrams, also known as free body diagrams)
c) First equilibrium condition (relating to forces that would cause motion in a
straight line)
d) Second equilibrium condition (rotational motion)
5) Work, Power, and Energy

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 a) Work and energy
b) Power
c) Conservation of Energy
d) Simple machines
6) Linear Momentum
a) Linear momentum and Newton’s 2nd Law
b) Collisions
c) Momentum and the center of mass
7) Angular Motion
a) Angular analogs to linear concepts and equations
b) Centripetal (not centrifugal) motion
c) Rotational work and energy
d) Angular momentum and conservation of angular momentum
8) States of Matter,
a) Density
b) Elastic modulus and pressure
c) Wave principles
9) Fluids
10) Archimedes’ principle
11) Pascal’s law and Bernoulli’s equation
12) Laminar and turbulent flow

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

A variety of teaching methods will be used that includes lectures, discussions, and
demonstrations. A variety of audio-visual presentations will be used as appropriate to
help stress important concepts. Additional handouts will be provided. Each student
should obtain the textbook presented in this syllabus’s TEXT section.

GRADING SCALE

90 – 100 % →A
80 – 89 % →B
70 – 79 % →C
60 – 69 % →D
Below 60% →F

ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT GAIN

1. Quizzes: Announced and un-announced quizzes will be given in class. There are
no make-up for missed quizzes.
2. Homework assignments: Students will be expected to complete and return
assigned homework by due date.
3. Exams: There will be a total of five exams given throughout the semester. The
fifth exam will be cumulative and administered as a final exam for the course.

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ATTENDANCE POLICY

Absences that occur due to students participating in official college activities are excused
except in those cases where outside bodies, such as the State Board of Nursing, have
requirements for minimum class minutes for each student. Students who are excused will
be given reasonable opportunity to make up any missed work or receive substitute
assignments from the instructor and should not be penalized for the absence. Proper
procedure should be followed in notifying faculty in advance of the student’s planned
participation in the event. Ultimately it is the student’s responsibility to notify the
instructor in advance of the planned absence.

Unless students are participating in a school activity or are excused by the instructor, they
are expected to attend class. If a student’s absences exceed seventy five (75) minutes per
credit hour for the course or, in the case of on-line or other non-traditional courses, the
student is inactive for one-eighth of the total course duration, the instructor has the right,
but is not required, to withdraw a student from the course. Once the student has been
dropped for excessive absences, the registrar’s office will send a letter to the student,
stating that he or she has been withdrawn. Alternatively, the faculty member may
summarily issue the grade of “F” to any student whose absences exceed the above
amounts. The normal appeal process may be utilized by the student.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

NCCC expects every student to demonstrate ethical behavior with regard to academic
pursuits. Academic integrity in coursework is a specific requirement. Definitions,
examples, and possible consequences for violations of Academic Integrity, as well as the
appeals process, can be found in the College Catalog, Student Handbook, and/or Code of
Student Conduct and Discipline.

CELL PHONE POLICY

Student cell phones and pagers must be turned off during class times. Faculty may
approve an exception for special circumstances.

NOTES:

• The information and statements contained in this document are subject to change
at the discretion of the instructor and NCCC. Changes will be published in writing
and made available to students
• All the written materials given to students’ remains a property of NCCC.

NOTE: If you are a student with a disability who may need

accommodation(s) under the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), please notify the Dean of Student Development, Chanute

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Campus, Student Union, 620-431-2820, Ext. 213., or the Dean,
Ottawa Campus, 785-242-2607 ext 312, as soon as possible. You
will need to bring your documentation for review in order to
determine reasonable accommodations, and then we can assist you
in arranging any necessary accommodations.