Common Course Outline

Course discipline/number/title PHYS 1127: Classical Physics I

Catalog Description

Credits 5
Hours/Week 7 (4 lecture, 3 lab)
Prerequisites (Course discipline/number) MATH 1115
Other requirements None
MnTC Goals (if any) Goal 3/Natural Sciences

Course Description

This course is the first semester of a two-semester introduction to classical physics using the mathematics of vectors and calculus. Topics studied include vectors, motion in one and two dimensions, Newton’s Laws of motion, work and energy, conservation of momentum, torque and rotational motion, simple harmonic motion, waves, and sound. These topics are studied through lecture, discussion, interactive problem solving, demonstrations, hands-on laboratories, and independent work. Free-body diagrams are used extensively. Emphasis is on both conceptual learning and problem solving. The laboratory experience will provide the student with opportunities for discovery, measurement, technical writing and data analysis. Students should either have already taken or be concurrently enrolled in Calculus I (MATH 1127).

Date Last Revised (Month, year)

February, 2025

Outline of Major Content Areas

  1. Background
  2. Measurements, significant figures
  3. Unit systems, conversions
  4. Mechanics
  5. Kinematics
  6. Newton’s Laws of Motion, Force Analysis
  7. Work and Energy
  8. Linear Momentum
  9. Rotational Mechanics
  10. Rotational Kinematics
  11. Torque
  12. Angular Momentum
  13. Static Equilibrium
  14. Vibrations and Waves
    1. Oscillations
    2. Traveling Waves
    3. Sound
    4. Superposition and Standing Waves
    5. Doppler Effect
  15. Applications of Calculus to Physics

Learning Outcomes (General)

The student will be able to:

  1. Use common definitions of terms found in physics.
  2. Explain and apply basic physics principles to their everyday lives.
  3. Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to evaluate physical systems and predict future behavior.
  4. Read and interpret graphs of physical data.

Learning Outcomes (MnTC)

Goal 3/Natural Sciences

The student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of scientific theories.
  2. Formulate and test hypotheses by performing laboratory, simulation, or field experiments in at least two of the natural science disciplines. One of these experimental components should develop, in greater depth, student’s laboratory experience in the collection of data, it’s statistical and graphical analysis, and an appreciation of its sources of error and uncertainty.
  3. Communicate their experimental findings, analyses, and interpretations both orally and in writing.

Methods for Evaluation of Student Learning

Methods may include but are not limited to:

RCTC Core Outcome(s)

This course contributes to meeting the following RCTC Core Outcome(s):

Critical Thinking
Students will think systematically and explore information thoroughly before accepting or formulating a position or conclusion.

Special Information (if any)

A scientific calculator is required