PHYS 120Introduction to Physics I

Catalog

This course is the first semester of a two-semester sequence of pre-calculus based introductory physics for biomedical majors. This course is a study of Newtonian mechanics that focuses on the kinematics of point masses with constant acceleration; the dynamics of point masses and rigid bodies with constant forces or torques and accelerations, including circular motion, rolling motion, and spinning motion. Besides Newton's laws of motion, the impulse-momentum and work-energy approaches are explored and applied to a variety of physical situations, including collisions and oscillatory motions. Special attention is given to the concept of energy and its transformations; to phases of matter; and other topics in thermal physics. The equations of fluid statics and dynamics; wave equation; and wave behavior are briefly introduced and discussed. Students are required to purchase a scientific calculator.