Standard

R State Standard £ Institutionally Developed College: N/A

PSC 1111 – Physical Science I
Course Description Introduces the fundamentals of classical physics, the solar system, and universe from a descriptive viewpoint. Topics include: mechanics; temperature and heat; waves; electricity and magnetism; and astronomy. Laboratory exercises supplement class work. Computer use is an integral part of class and laboratory assignments.
Competency Areas	Hours
Mechanics	Class	4
Temperature and Heat	D. Lab	0
Waves	P. Lab/O.B.I.	3
Electricity and Magnetism	Credit	5
Astronomy

Prerequisite:	MAT 1100 or MAT 1111
Corequisite:

Course Guide

Competency	After completing this section, the student will be able to:	Hours
		Class	D.Lab	P.Lab/ O.B.I.
Mechanics		20	0	15
Measurement	Convert units from US to metric.
	Become familiar with common metric prefixes.
	Distinguish between scientific laws, hypotheses, and theories.
Motion	Differentiate between scalar and vector quantities.
	Define speed, velocity, and acceleration.
	Use motion equations.
	Describe acceleration in uniform circular motion.
	Describe projectile motion.
Force and Motion	Explain Newton’s three laws of motion.
	Explain Newton’s law of gravitation.
	Relate Newton’s three laws to the concept of equilibrium.
	Discuss circular motion.
	Define linear momentum.
	Explain the law of conservation of momentum.
	Define torque and angular momentum and state their relationship.
Work, Energy, and Power	Define work, energy, and power.
	Explain the relationship between work and energy.
	Define kinetic energy.
	Define conservation of energy.
	Discuss conservation of energy.
	Describe transformation of energy forms.
	Distinguish between electrical power and electrical energy.
	Identify some common forms of energy.
	Compare the major sources of energy and the main sectors of energy consumption.
TEMPERATURE AND HEAT		5	0	3
Temperature and heat	Distinguish between temperature and heat.
	Convert units of temperature measurements from one scale to another.
	Define heat.
	Discuss heat units.
Thermal Expansion	Relate expansion to temperature change.
Specific heat and Latent heat	Explain how specific heat relates to heat and temperature.
	Distinguish between specific heat and latent heat.
Heat transfer	Describe the three methods of heat transfer.
	Give examples of these methods.
Change of state	Discuss conditions for phase changes.
Gas laws	Use the perfect gas law and explain the properties of gases.
Thermodynamics	State and explain the three laws of thermodynamics.
	Compare and contrast heat engines and heat pumps.
	Describe what is meant by entropy.
WAVES		5	0	3
Characteristics	Describe the characteristics of wave motion.
	Distinguish between longitudinal and transverse waves.
	Identify the terms used to describe waves.
	Use the basic wave equation that relates velocity, wavelength, and frequency.
Sound	Describe sound waves.
	Describe the sound spectrum and the decibel scale.
Standing waves and Resonance	Define resonance.
	Explain standing waves and frequencies.
Electromagnetic spectrum	Identify various waves in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Light	Describe geometric properties of light.
	Define the law of reflection.
	Distinguish between specular and diffuse reflections.
	Describe refraction and explain how light is dispersed.
	Describe total internal reflection.
Spherical mirrors	Distinguish between converging and diverging spherical mirrors.
	Describe image formation and contrast real and virtual images.
Spherical lenses	Distinguish between converging and diverging spherical lenses.
	Describe image formation and contrast real and virtual images.
	Use the thin lens equation.
ELECTRICITY AND MAGENTISM		5	0	6
Electric charge	Describe properties of charged objects.
Coulomb’s law	State Coulomb’s law.
	Compare Newton’s law of gravitation to Coulomb’s law.
	Discuss conversion of electric charge.
	Distinguish between alternating and direct current.
Ohm’s law	State Ohm’s law.
	Apply Ohm’s law to series circuits.
	Apply Ohm’s law to parallel circuits.
	Define voltage, and state how Ohm’s law relates to current and resistance.
	Calculate power in an electric circuit.
	Explain the difference between a parallel and series and electric circuit.
	Discuss the aspects of electrical safety.
Magnetism	Discuss interaction between two magnets.
	Relate magnetism to electricity.
	Describe a magnetic field.
	Discuss the various types of magnetism.
	Describe the magnetic domains.
	Analyze some aspects of the Earth’s magnetic field.
Electromagnetism	Explain the operation of an electric motor.
	Explain the operation of an electric generator.
	Explain the operation of a transformer.
ASTRONOMY		5	0	3
Solar system	Discuss the origin of the solar system.
	Discuss the structure of the solar system.
	Relate earth’s motion to the seasons.
	Explain the phases of the moon.
	Explain varieties in the length of day.
	Discuss tides.
	Describe the composition of the sun.
	Discuss soar energy.
The universe	Summarize the life cycle of stars.
	Describe types of stars.
	Describe types of galaxies.
	Discuss theories of cosmology.

Suggested Resources

Media Print Audio/Visual Web Other	Note: Please adhere to the APA Formatting and Style Guidelines. Examples: Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Location: Publisher. Duncan, G.J., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (Eds.). (1997). Consequences of growing up poor. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.
Print	Hewitt, P. G. Suchocki, J. & Hewitt, L. (2007) Conceptual physical science. (4^th ed.) Addison Wesley.
	Krauskopf, K. B. & Beiser, A. (2007) The physical universe. (12^th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
	Shipman, J. T., Wilson, J. D. & Todd, A. W. (2006) An introduction to physical science. (11^th ed.). Houghton Mifflin.

Posted: 09/29/08