PHYS 250Introductory Physics I

4 credits · Physics · Penn State

PHYS 250 Introductory Physics I (4) (GN)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.Algebra-based introduction to classical mechanics, including such topics as one- and two-dimensional motion, vectors, relative and circular motion, force and dynamics, Newton's laws of motion, work and kinetic energy, potential energy and energy conservation, momentum, rotational motion and angular velocity, static equilibrium and properties of materials, static and moving fluids, vibrations, simple harmonic motion, general properties of waves, sound and human hearing, temperature and kinetic theory, heat and calorimetry, and the basic laws of thermodynamics.This course is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of the elementary physics principles mentioned above, as well as their applications to everyday phenomena and to the life sciences, to enhance their conceptual understanding of physical laws, and to increase their problem solving abilities especially as applied to physical systems. The mathematical prerequisites for this course (and the subsequent PHYS 251 ) are mathematics at the level of algebra and trigonometry, demonstrated by suitable coursework or demonstration of satisfactory performance on the mathematical proficiency exam. The exact model of course instruction varies at different campuses due to different resources and class sizes. Students attend several class meetings including at least one lab or activity period per week. Students perform laboratory experiments, discuss their results, and write up their conclusions in weekly lab reports. The course is a prerequisite for the second semester continuation, PHYS 251 .