121 Syllabus
First Summer Session 2001
PHY-121 is the first part of a three-semester sequence in introductory
physics offered to engineering and other science and pre-professional
majors. The prerequisite for PHY-121 is MAT-270. A working
familiarity with basic differential and integral calculus will be assumed.
PHY-121 covers the subject of Newtonian mechanics including kinematics (the
description of motion), and dynamics (the relation of motion to force and mass).
Among the most important topics are Newton's Laws of Motion and the
conservation of momentum and energy. Other topics are rotational kinematics
and dynamics, Newtonian gravitation, and simple harmonic motion. A detailed
list of topics can be found on the
Homework and Lecture Schedule which accompanies
this syllabus.
The textbook is Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Second
Edition, by Fishbane, Gasiorowicz, and Thornton (Prentice Hall Publishers,
1996.) (Volume 1 or Extended)
The full text of the syllabus is also available as a pdf file.
Course Format and Policies
Homework and Lecture Schedule
Reading Schedule
Serway Problems
May 29 - June 4<>
June 6 - June 12
June 14 - June 20<>
June 21 - June 27
Derivations: Acceleration for General Circular Motion
Parallel Axis Theorem
Course Updates
7/03 Test 4 Solutions Available
Answers to Even-Numbered Problems
PLACES TO GET HELP
Textbook Sites - practice tests and more
Online Tutorials - interactive instruction
Class Average Final Average Now Available
HOW TO FIGURE YOUR FINAL GRADE
TA's