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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
PHYS D002C
Course Title (CB02)
General Introductory Physics
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Study fluids, optics, thermodynamics, and modern physics. In the laboratory, continue to deepen an understanding of scientific procedure by applying theoretical models to classic experiments.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course satisfies the major requirements for biology, architecture, and life science majors for at least one CSU or UC. It satisfies the Liberal Arts A.A. Degree, Science, Math and Engineering emphasis. PHYS D002C focuses on Optics, Thermodynamics, and Modern Physics.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU
C-IDArea(s)StatusDetails
PHYSPhysicsApprovedPHYS D002A & PHYS D002B & PHYS D002C required for C-ID PHYS 100 S

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
5.0
Maximum Credit Units
5.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours3.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
36.0
Total
84.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

PHYS D002B

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Laboratory experience which involve students in formal exercises of data collection and analysis

Laboratory discussion sessions and quizzes that evaluate the proceedings weekly laboratory exercises

Assignments

  1. Daily and weekly readings from the text
  2. Weekly readings from the laboratory manual
  3. Weekly written assignments from the text and lectures
  4. Written laboratory records during each week of lab

Methods of Evaluation

  1. The required readings and assignments will be evaluated through quantitative problem-solving style homework questions, hand written verbal answers to quizzes involving lucid sentence constructions, and detailed, clearly explained mathematical solutions to exam problems.
  2. Laboratory quantitative-style quizzes involving calculations from measurements taken and/or periodic review and critique of lab books.
  3. Exams are objective written tests to demonstrate the student's understanding of the course material.
  4. A laboratory based final examination involving "hands on" practical evaluations demonstrating the understanding of the learning outcomes listed in the student learning outcomes section.
  5. A two hour comprehensive lecture final that includes the testing of verbal and conceptual understanding as well as mathematical and computational competency with respect to the theoretical basis and problem solving aspects of the class. The comprehensive final will test the overall understanding of the learning outcomes listed in the student learning outcomes section.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Laboratory notebook, ruler, scientific calculator
Essential College Facilities:
  • Physics Laboratory

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
*Halliday, Resnick, and Walker, "Fundamentals of Physics", 10th edition, Wiley, 2013.
Newton, D., "Physics 2C Laboratory Exercises". °®¶¹´«Ã½ Printing Services, 2010.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
James S. Walker, "PHYSICS", 4th edition, Addison-Wesley, 2009.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Analyze the properites of fluids.
  • Investigate the field of optics.
  • Explore thermal physics.
  • Assess special relativity.
  • Appraise quantum theory.
  • Analyze data in the laboratory using graphical, statistical, and computer based techniques.

CSLOs

  • Critically examine new, previously un-encountered problems, analyzing and evaluating their constituent parts, to construct and explain a logical solution utilizing, and based upon, the fundamental laws of optics, thermodynamics, fluids, and modern physics.

  • Gain confidence in taking precise and accurate scientific measurements, with their uncertainties, and then with calculations from them, analyze their meaning as relative, in an experimental context, to the verification and support of physics theories.

Outline

  1. Analyze the properites of fluids.
    1. Define density.
    2. Investigate pressure in fluids.
    3. Discuss atmospheric pressure.
    4. Examine Pascal's principle.
    5. Examine Archimedes' principle.
    6. Discuss Bernoulli's equation.
  2. Investigate the field of optics.
    1. Define and discuss geometric optics.
      1. Discuss the ray model of light.
      2. Define the index of refraction.
      3. Discuss and define reflection and refraction.
      4. Analyze the lens equation.
    2. Define and discuss wave optics.
      1. Discuss Huygen's principle.
      2. Define and discuss interference.
      3. Define and discuss diffraction.
      4. Analyze polarization.
  3. Explore thermal physics.
    1. Examine temperature and heat
    2. Define the internal energy of a system.
    3. Analyze calorimetry problems.
    4. Discuss the laws of thermodynamics.
  4. Assess special relativity.
    1. Examine the postulates of the special theory.
    2. Define and discuss simlutaneity.
    3. Define and discuss time dilation and length contraction.
    4. Discuss mass-energy equivalance.
  5. Appraise quantum theory.
    1. Discuss Planck's quantum hypothesis.
    2. Discuss the photon theory of light.
    3. Examine the wave nature of matter.
    4. Examine the Heisenberg uncertainty relation.
    5. Examine the Schrodinger equation and its application to atomic structure.
  6. Analyze data in the laboratory using graphical, statistical, and computer based techniques.
    1. Take accurate measurements with confidence and understand the uncertainties associated with them.
    2. Synthesize the analysis of data to induce scientific conclusions.
    3. Collaborate with others as a team to produce collective results.

Lab Topics

  1. Density, the buoyant force, and Archimede's Principle.
  2. Geometric Optics
  3. Wave Optics (single slit diffraction)
  4. Wave Optics (double slit interference)
  5. Microwave Optics (single slit)
  6. Microwave Optics with Bragg diffraction
  7. Atomic spectra
  8. The E/M experiment.
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