Course Description:

An introduction to the fundamental principles of physics with an emphasis in rigid-body mechanics. This course focuses on the classical theory of motion as understood using Newton’s laws and the conservation principles of energy and momentum.


Lesson Schedule
Lesson Date Topic Reading Homework Due
1 02-Sep Course Introduction Syllabus
2 04-Sep Trig Review; Vectors: Addition Appendix E, Ch 2.1
3 09-Sep Vectors: Components Ch 2.2 HW #03
4 11-Sep Introduction to Forces Ch 2.3, 5.1 HW #04
5 14-Sep Newton's 1st Law: Inertia, Free-Body Diagrams Ch 5.2, 5.6-5.7 HW #05
6 16-Sep Newton's 1st Law: (Translational) Equilibrium Ch 5.2, 5.7, 6.1 HW #06
7 18-Sep Motion, Kinematic Variables Ch 3.1-3.3 HW #07
8 21-Sep Instantaneous Values, Constant Acceleration Ch 3.3-3.4 HW #08
9 23-Sep Units and Dimensional Analysis Ch 1.2-1.4 HW #09
10 25-Sep Constant Acceleration: Free-Fall Ch 3.5 HW #10
11 28-Sep Newton's 2nd Law Ch 5.3, 6.1 HW #11
12 30-Sep Dynamics: Mass, Weight, Weightlessness Ch 5.4, 6.1 HW #12
E1 02-Oct Exam #1: Lessons 1-11
13 05-Oct Newton's 3rd Law: Interactions, Action/Reaction Ch 5.5 HW #13
14 07-Oct Newton's Laws: Defining Your System Ch 6.1, 5.7 HW #14
15 09-Oct Dynamics: Friction Ch 6.2 HW #15
16 13-Oct Motion in 2D: Projectiles Ch 4.1-4.3 HW #16
17 14-Oct Motion in 2D: Projectiles Ch 4.3 HW #17
18 16-Oct Motion in 2D: Circular Motion (Relative Mot. Optional) Ch 4.4 (4.5) HW #18
19 19-Oct Dynamics: Circular Motion, UCM, Misc. Problems Ch 6.3 HW #19
20 21-Oct Vector (Cross) Product, Torque Ch 2.4, 10.6 HW #20
E2 23-Oct Exam #2: Lessons 12-19, 1-11
21 26-Oct Torque, Rotational Equilibrium, Center of Mass Ch 10.6, 9.6 HW #21
22 28-Oct Static Equilibrium Ch 12.1-12.2 HW #22
23 30-Oct Static Equilibrium Ch 12.1-12.2 HW #23
24 02-Nov Rotations and Angular Kinematics Ch 10.1-10.3 HW #24
25 04-Nov Angular Kinematics and Rotational Dynamics Ch 10.4-10.7 HW #25
26 06-Nov Rotational Dynamics Ch 10.7 HW #26
27 09-Nov Intro to Work and Energy, Dot Product Ch 2.4, 7.1 HW #27
E3 13-Nov Exam #3: Lessons 20-26, 1-19
28 16-Nov Work-Kinetic Energy Theorem Ch 7.2-7.3 HW #28
29 18-Nov Potential Energy, Gravitational Potential Energy Ch 8.1-8.2 HW #29
30 20-Nov Conservation of Energy Ch 8.3-8.5 HW #30
31 23-Nov Impulse and Momentum Ch 9.1-9.2 HW #31
32 30-Nov Conservation of Momentum, Collisions Ch 9.3-9.5 HW #32
33 02-Dec Misc. Problems with Energy, Momentum Ch 9.2-9.4 HW #33
34 04-Dec Power; Angular Momentum Ch 7.4, 11.2-11.3 HW #34
35 07-Dec From Forces to Energy, Last iclicker Problem HW #35
E4 09-Dec Exam #4, Lessons 27-35 HW #36
36 11-Dec Review
-- Advanced Topics: Equilibrium in 3D
• Note: Some documents require that you sign in with your MMA account.