Standard

PHY 191 - Mechanics

Course Description

Introduces the classical theories of mechanics. Topics include: measurements and systems of units; Newton's laws; work, energy, and power; impulse and momentum; one- and two-dimensional motion; and mechanical equilibrium. Laboratory exercises supplement class work. Computer use is an integral part of class and laboratory assignments.

Competency Areas		Hours
Measurements and Systems of Units		Class	4
Newton's Laws		D. Lab	3
Work, Energy, and Power		P. Lab/O.B.I.	0
Impulse and Momentum		Credit	5
One- and Two-Dimensional Motion
Mechanical Equilibrium
Prerequisite:	CIS 191, MAT 191
Corequisite:	MAT 193

Course Guide

Competency	After completing this section, the student will:	Hours
		Class	D.Lab	P.Lab/ O.B.I.
MEASUREMENTS AND SYSTEMS OF UNITS		6	4	0
Scientific notation	Express and manipulate numbers in scientific notation.
Systems of units	Explain SI, CGS, and FPS unit systems. Change a physical quantity from one set of units to another.
Vectors	Explain the difference between vector and scalar quantities.
	Express vector quantities in polar and component form.
	Perform vector addition and subtraction.
NEWTON'S LAWS		7	7	0
Newton's laws of motion	State Newton's laws of motion.
Newton's universal law of gravitation	Calculate the gravitational attraction between two bodies.
Mass and weight	Distinguish between force and mass and define the units of each.
Applications of Newton's laws	Solve dynamics problems involving constant forces.
WORK, ENERGY, AND POWER		7	4	0
Work, energy, and power	Define work, potential energy, kinetic energy and power, and identify the units of each.
Conservation of energy	State the law of conservation of energy.
Work	Compute the work done by both constant and varying forces.
	Use the work-energy theorem in solving problems.
Kinetic energy	Compute the translational kinetic energy of a body.
Hooke's law	Solve problems with Hooke's law.
Potential energy	Compute the elastic potential energy stored in a spring.
	Compute the gravitational potential energy of an object.
Power	Compute the power given appropriate parameters.
IMPULSE AND MOMENTUM		7	4	0
Momentum	Define momentum and identify its units.
Impulse	Define impulse and identify its units.
Conservation of momentum	State the law of conservation of momentum.
Elastic and inelastic collisions	Solve elastic and inelastic collision problems.
ONE- AND TWO-DIMENSIONAL MOTION		7	4	0
Displacement	Define displacement, and identify its units.
Velocity and speed	Define both velocity and speed, and identify their respective units.
Acceleration	Define acceleration, and identify its units.
Motion with a constant acceleration	Solve problems involving uniformly accelerated motion.
Angular displacement, angular velocity, and angular acceleration	Define angular displacement, angular velocity, and angular acceleration, and identify their respective units.
Circular motion	Define centripetal force and centripetal acceleration.
	Solve rotational kinematics problems.
	Calculate the centripetal force exerted on a body and the associated centripetal acceleration.
MECHANICAL EQUILIBRIUM		6	7	0
Torque	Define torque and identify its units. Compute the torque generated by a force about an axis.
Moments of inertia	Determine the moment of inertia of a rigid body about a given axis.
Mechanical equilibrium	State the conditions of mechanical equilibrium.
	Solve problems involving systems in the state of mechanical equilibrium.
Conservation of angular momentum	State the law of conservation of angular momentum. Solve problems with conservation of angular momentum.

Suggested Resources

Books

Bueche, F. J. (1988). Principles of physics (5th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Sears, F. W., et al. (1989). College physics (7th ed.). Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

Serway, R. A., & Faughn, J. S. (1992). College physics (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders College.

Tipler, P. A. (1987). College physics. New York: Worth.