121 Syllabus

First Summer Session 1996

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. The basic non-nuclear forces in nature are described, including Newtonian gravitation, and electrostatic and magnetic forces on charged particles. There is also a section on the essential principles of special relativity. The textbook is Principles of Physics, by Raymond Serway (Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1994.)

There will be no formal assignments of computer work in this course; however, students who are so motivated are encouraged to use computers whenever possible. Introductory physics software packages are available at campus bookstores. Some students may want to do their own programming in BASIC, C, PASCAL, FORTRAN, etc. The Computer Commons is available to all students. Homework solutions involving computer work will be welcome.


Course Format and Policies
Homework and Lecture Schedule
Course Updates
Answers to Even-Numbered Problems
Tests from Spring 1996
Class Average INCLUDES FINAL GRADE DISTRIBUTION


TA's


John Theisen
George Polk
Akash Bhatia