121 Syllabus
First Summer Session 1998
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, simple harmonic motion, and waves and
interference. The textbook is Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Second
Edition, by Fishbane, Gasiorowicz, and Thornton (Prentice Hall Publishers,
1996.)
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 last update June 11 -
corrections to even answers for Chapter 6
Answers to Even-Numbered Problems
Class Average final average now available
HOW TO FIGURE YOUR FINAL GRADE
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