Prerequisites: Algebra I, Geometry; basic Trigonometry functions

This college-prep physics course is designed for the student who has completed algebra and has had an introduction to the definitions of sine, cosine, and tangent. It provides a detailed introduction to the methods and concepts of general physics, heavily emphasizing vector analysis; this text is ideal preparation for a university-level physics course. It provides the student with a strong background in one-dimensional and two-dimensional motion, Newtons laws and their application, gravity, work and energy, momentum, periodic motion, waves, optics, electrostatics, electrodynamics, electrical circuits, and magnetism.

• Complete List of Lab Supplies

Table of Contents

Introductory Remarks

• The Metric System
• The Factor-Label Method
• Using Units in Mathematical Equations
• Making Measurements
• Accuracy, Precision, and Significant Figures
• Scientific Notation
• Mathematical Preparation

MODULE #1: Motion In One Dimension

• Introduction
• Distance and Displacement
• Speed and Velocity
• Average and Instantaneous Velocity
• Experiment 1.1: Measuring Average Velocity
• Velocity Is Relative
• Acceleration
• Experiment 1.2: Measuring an Object’s Acceleration
• Average And Instantaneous Acceleration
• Answers to the “On Your Own” Problems
• Review Questions
• Practice Problems

MODULE #2: One-Dimensional Motion Equations and Free Fall

• Introduction
• Relating Velocity, Acceleration, and Time
• Relating Velocity, Acceleration, and Displacement
• Relating Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration, and Time
• Using Our Equations For One-Dimensional Motion
• Free Fall
• Experiment 2.1: The Acceleration Due to Gravity Is the Same for All Objects
• Experiment 2.2: Determining a Person’s Reaction Time
• A More Detailed Look At Free Fall
• Terminal Velocity
• Experiment 2.3: Factors That Affect Air Resistance
• Answers to the “On Your Own” Problems
• Review Questions
• Practice Problems

MODULE #3: Two-Dimensional Vectors

• Introduction
• Vectors
• Adding and Subtracting Two-Dimensional Vectors: The Graphical Approach
• Vector Components
• Experiment 3.1: Vector Components
• Determining A Vector’s Components From Its Magnitude And Direction
• Adding And Subtracting Two-Dimensional Vectors: The Analytical Approach
• Applying Vector Addition To Physical Situations
• Experiment 3.2: Vector Addition
• Answers to the “On Your Own” Problems
• Review Questions
• Practice Problems

MODULE #4: Motion in Two Dimensions

• Introduction
• Navigation in Two Dimensions
• Projectile Motion in Two Dimensions
• The Range Equation
• Experiment 4.1: The Two Dimensions of a Rubber Band’s Flight
• Two-Dimensional Situations In Which You Cannot Use The Range Equation
• Experiment 4.2: Measuring the Horizontal Speed of an Object without a Stopwatch
• Answers to the “On Your Own” Problems
• Review Questions
• Practice Problems

MODULE #5: Newton’s Laws

• Introduction
• Sir Isaac Newton
• Newton’s First Law
• Experiment 5.1: Inertia
• Newton’s Second Law
• Mass And Weight
• The Normal Force
• Friction
• Experiment 5.2: The Frictional Force
• An Equation For The Frictional Force
• Newton’s Third Law
• Answers to the “On Your Own” Problems
• Review Questions
• Practice Problems

MODULE #6: Applications of Newton’s Second Law

• Introduction
• Translational Equilibrium
• Translational Equilibrium And Measuring Weight
• Experiment 6.1: Measuring Acceleration in an Elevator
• Rotational Motion And Torque
• Experiment 6.2 What Causes Rotational Acceleration?
• Rotational Equilibrium
• Objects On An Inclined Surface
• Experiment 6.3: Measuring a Coefficient of Static Friction
• Applying Newton’s Second Law To More Than One Object At A Time
• Answers to the “On Your Own” Problems
• Review Questions
• Practice Problems

MODULE #7: Uniform Circular Motion and Gravity

• Introduction
• Uniform Circular Motion
• Centripetal Force and Centripetal Acceleration
• Experiment 7.1: Centripetal Force
• The Source of Centripetal Force
• A Fictional Force
• Gravity
• Circular Motion Terminology
• Gravity and the Motion of Planets
• Answers to the “On Your Own” Problems
• Review Questions
• Practice Problems

MODULE #8: Work and Energy

• Introduction
• The Definitions of Work and Energy
• The Mathematical Definition of Work
• Kinetic and Potential Energy
• The First Law of Thermodynamics
• Experiment 8.1: Energy in a Pendulum
• Friction, Work, And Energy
• Experiment 8.2: Estimating the Work Done by Friction
• Energy And Power
• Answers to the “On Your Own” Problems
• Review Questions
• Practice Problems

MODULE #9: Momentum

• Introduction
• Definition Of Momentum
• Impulse
• Experiment 9.1: Egg Drop
• The Conservation Of Momentum
• Experiment 9.2: Momentum and Energy Conservation
• The Mathematics Of Momentum Conservation
• Angular Momentum
• Answers to the “On Your Own” Problems
• Review Questions
• Practice Problems

MODULE #10: Periodic Motion

• Introduction
• Hooke’s Law
• Experiment 10.1: Hooke’s Law
• Uniform Circular Motion: An Example Of Periodic Motion
• The Mass / Spring System
• Experiment 10.2: The Characteristics of a Mass / Spring System
• The Mathematics Of The Mass / Spring System
• More Analysis Of Experiment 10.2
• Potential Energy In A Mass / Spring System
• The Simple Pendulum
• Answers to the “On Your Own” Problems
• Review Questions
• Practice Problems

MODULE #11: Waves

• Introduction
• Waves
• The Physical Nature of Sound
• Experiment 11.1: Frequency and Volume of Sound Waves
• The Doppler Effect
• Experiment 11.2: The Doppler Effect
• Sound Waves in Substances Other Than Air
• Sound Waves Beyond the Ear’s Ability to Hear
• The Speed of Light
• Light as a Wave
• Light as a Particle
• Biographies of Two Important Physicists
• Answers to the “On Your Own” Problems
• Review Questions
• Practice Problems

MODULE #12: Geometric Optics

• Introduction
• The Law of Reflection
• Experiment 12.1: The Law of Reflection
• Flat Mirrors
• Spherical Mirrors
• Ray Tracing In Concave Spherical Mirrors
• Experiment 12.2: Real and Virtual Images in a Concave Mirror
• Ray Tracing In Convex Spherical Mirrors
• Snell’s Law Of Refraction
• Experiment 12.3: Measuring the Index of Refraction of Glass
• Converging Lenses
• Diverging Lenses
• The Human Eye
• Answers to the “On Your Own” Problems
• Review Questions
• Practice Problems

MODULE #13: Coulomb’s Law and the Electric Field

• Introduction
• The Basics of Electric Charge
• Experiment 13.1: Attraction and Repulsion
• Experiment 13.2: Making and Using an Electroscope
• Electrostatic Force and Coulomb’s Law
• Multiple Charges and the Electrostatic Force
• The Electric Field
• Calculating the Strength of the Electric Field
• Applying Coulomb’s Law to the Bohr Model of the Atom
• Answers to the “On Your Own” Problems
• Review Questions
• Practice Problems

MODULE #14: Electric Potential

• Introduction
• Electric Potential
• Electric Potential, Potential Energy, and Potential Difference
• Potential Difference and the Change in Potential Energy
• Conservation of Energy in an Electric Potential
• Capacitors
• Experiment 14.1: Making a Parallel-Plate Capacitor and Storing Charge
• An Application Of Capacitors
• How A Television Makes Its Picture
• Answers to the “On Your Own” Problems
• Review Questions
• Practice Problems

MODULE #15: Electric Circuits

• Introduction
• Batteries, Circuits, and Conventional Current
• Resistance
• Experiment 15.1: Current and Resistance
• Electric Heaters
• Electric Power
• Switches And Circuits
• Experiment 15.2: Building a Simple Circuit to Turn on a Light Bulb
• Series And Parallel Circuits
• Experiment 15.3: Series and Parallel Resistors
• The Mathematics of Series and Parallel Circuits
• Fuses and Circuit Breakers
• Current and Power in Series and Parallel Circuits
• Analyzing More Complicated Circuits
• Answers to the “On Your Own” Problems
• Review Questions
• Practice Problems

MODULE #16: Magnetism

• Introduction
• Permanent Magnets
• Magnetic Fields
• How Magnets Become Magnetic
• Experiment 16.1: Oersted’s Experiment
• Experiment 16.2: Diamagnetic, Paramagnetic, and Ferromagnetic Compounds
• The Earth’s Magnetic Field
• The Magnetic Field of a Current-Carrying Wire
• Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction
• Using Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction
• Alternating Current
• Some Final Thoughts
• Answers to the “On Your Own” Problems
• Review Questions

• Glossary
• Appendix A
• Appendix B
• Appendix C: A Complete List of Lab Supplies
• Index