Class Syllabus: Introduction to Physics

Course Meeting Times:	Online, Participate in the Class Forums

Course Description

Welcome to the world of Physics! Here, we will explore the natural laws of how the universe operates. This introductory course covers all the fundamentals of Physics, and is comprehensive enough for students already familiar with the subject. Join now, and together we'll learn about momentum and energy, force and motion, gravity, particles, the five states of matter, temperature and heat, sound waves, electricity, magnetism, and light.

Today, much of technology and our lifestyles is brought to us by the laws of Physics, yet surprisingly, most people don't understand the fundamentals. Acoustics, astronomy, electromagnetism, electronics, nuclear power, optics, nanotechnology are just a few of the industries requiring an understanding of Physics.

Course Requirements

Some basic understanding of math/algebra is required.

Course Outline

I. INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS
A. Physics: Definition
B. Physics: Orientation
C. Physics versus Mathematics
D. Physics: Range of Fields
D. Methods of Energy Production
E. History of Physics

II. MECHANICS OF MEASUREMENT
A. Overarching Practices
b. Primary Foundation
C. CLasSical Mechanical Principles
D. Classic Mechanics: Formative Theories
E. Measurements and Mechanics
F. Pursuit of Truth
G. Mechanics: Objects and Motion
H. Motion
I. Dimension
J. Infinite and Infinitesimal
K. Observer and the Observer's Frame of Reference

III. MOMENTUM AND ENERGY
A. Momentum: Overview and Definition
B. Momemtum and Impulse Connection
C. Impulse/Change in Momentum
D. Energy: Overview and Definition
E. Environmental Sources of Energy

IV. FORCE AND MOTION (NEWTON'S LAW OF MOTION)
A. Laws of Motion: Background
B. Laws of Motion: Introduction
C. Newton's First Law: The 'Law of Inertia'
D. NewTon's SeCond Law: 'Force and Motion'
E. Newton's Third LAw: 'Law of Reciprocal Actions'

V. GRAVITY (FRICTION, STATIC AND KINETIC ENERGY, ETC.)
A. Gravity: Explanation
B. EScape Velocity
C. Force of Gravity
D. Friction
E. Fluid Friction
F. Static and Kinetic Friction

VI. SYSTEMS OF MANY PARTICLES
A. Constraints and Degrees of Freedom
B. Two Types of Freedom
C. Center of mass
D. Out-of-The-Norm Dynamics

VII. SOLIDS
A. CrystALOGRAPHY
B. SOlids: Mechanical and Thermal Activity
C. Classes of Solids
D. Nature of Solids
E. State Variable

VIII. GASES AND LIQUIDS
A. Fives States of Matter
B. Gases: An Overview
C. Gases: Character Traits
D. Liquids: An Overview and Character Traits
E. Liquids: Flow and Buoyancy
F. Liquids: Fluid Pressure/Surface Tension

IX. TEMPERATURE AND HEAT
A. Temperature and Heat: Overview
B. Temperature and Heat: History
C. Temperature and Heat: Effects
D. Temperature Scales
E. Heat Units
F. Law of COnservation of Energy
G. Phases Changes
H. Specific Heat
I. Transferences of Heat

X. CHANGE OF STATE AND TRANSFER OF HEAT
A. Thermodyamics: Role
B. THermodynamic Systems and Variables of State
C. Thermodynamic Systems
D. First Law of Thermodynamics
E. Second Law of Thermodynamics
F. THird Law of Thermodynamics

XI. WAVE MOTION
A. Waves: Pverview (Nature of)
B. Waves: PropErties (Characteristics)
C. Waves: Functions Summary
D. Waves: Categories

XII. SOUND WAVES
A. Sound Waves: Characteristics
B. Sound Waves: Mechanical versus Electromagnetic
C. SOund Waves: Longitudinal
D. SOund Waves: Measurement Methods
E. SOund Waves: Summary

XIII. STATIC ELECTRICITY
A. Static Electricity: Definition and Understanding
B. STatic Electricity: Production
C. Electric Force and Newton's Third Law
D. Static Electricity and Lightning
E. Which Objects Readily Lose Electrons and Which Readily Gain?
F. Change as A Quantity

XIV. ELECTRICAL INDUCTION
A. Electrical Induction: Components
B. Electric: Definitions
C. Induction: Definition
D. Electrical Induction, Operating Principle
E. Electrical Induction: History
F. Electrical Induction: Summary of Central Principles
G. ElecTroMagnetic Induction: Modern Applications

XV. ELECTRICAL CURRENT
A. Electrical Current: Definition
B. Electrical Current's Unit Of Measurement
C. Vector versus Scaler Quantity
D. Types of Current
1. Alternating (AC)
2. Direct (DC)

XVI. ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
A. Electromagnetic Waves: Definition
B. Electric Force Fields and Charged Particles
C. Electric Force Field and Lines of Force
D. Wavelength
E. THe ElectroMagnetic Spectrum and Its Waves of Many Different Lengths
F. Wave Activity

XVII. MAGNETIC EFFECTS OF CURRENT
A. Electromagnetic: Magnetic Fields of Electric Current
B. ElectromagnetiSM: Applications and Origination
C. Lorentz Force Law
D. Flow of Magnetic Charges

XVIII. THE QUANTUM NATURE OF LIGHT
A. Quantum Physics: In Minute Detail
B. Singular to Quantum physics
c. Photons
d. Quantum Optics: Basic Understanding
e. Photons and Probability

XIX. LIGHT AS A WAVE
A. Traveling Waves
B. Light Waves; Characteristics
C. Rays
D. Properties of Light
1. Reflection
2. Refraction
3. Dispersion
4. Diffraction
5. Interference
E. Young's Double Slit Experiment

Course Materials

No materials are required, all materials are available within the Course Lessons.

Grading Policy

Each lesson is followed by an exam on content covered (each exam is worth around 25-50 pts.) Some of the lessons will also be followed by an assignment based on lesson facts and opinions expressed.

70% or higher will be required in order to complete this course.

Book Recommendations

Although there are no Required books or materials for this course, here are some Recommended books for further study:

1. Basic Physics: A Self-Teaching Guide (Wiley Self-Teaching Guides) Booklink to Basic Physics: A Self-Teaching Guide

2. How to Solve Physics Problems (College Course) (Paperback) Booklink to How to Solve Physics Problems

3. Physics for the Utterly Confused (Paperback) Booklink to Physics for the Utterly Confused

Recommended Books

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