Nov 22, 2024
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024

PHYS 2054 - General Physics 1 classical mechanics and thermodynamics


This is the first of a three semester sequence of classes for scientists and engineers to introduce them to classical and quantum physics with calculus and vectors. The topics in this first semester include: 1-D and 2-D vectors; 1-D and 2-D Kinematics; Newtonian mechanics; Work and Conservation of Energy; Impulse, conservation of momentum, 1-D and 2-D collisions; rotational dynamics; Simple Harmonic Motion; Wave Mechanics: 1-D traveling waves, standing waves, and interference of waves; Thermodynamics: zeroth, first, and second law of thermodynamics, maximum efficiency of engines. This course has a laboratory course (PHYS 2055) that it is paired with for General Education and TAGs credit.

Requisites: MATH 2301 concurrent
Credit Hours: 3
OHIO BRICKS Pillar: Natural Sciences
General Education Code (students who entered prior to Fall 2021-22): 2NS
Repeat/Retake Information: May be retaken two times excluding withdrawals, but only last course taken counts.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 3.0 lecture
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Course Transferability: OTM course: TMNS Natural Sciences, TAG course: OSC016 College Physics I (calculus based sequence)
College Credit Plus: Level 1
Learning Outcomes:
  • Students will be able to make use of scientific notation and SI units.
  • Students will be able to use calculus in their solutions to problems, where appropriate.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the methods of solving problems, provide all the steps necessary for their solutions, and cite the relevant physical principles.
  • Students will be able to solve problems in 1 and 2 dimensional motion kinematic motion.
  • Students will be able to use components of vectors, and unit vector notation, in their solutions, where appropriate.
  • Students will be able to solve problems involving the motion of particles subject to Newton’s laws of motion
  • Students will be able to use the principle of conservation of energy to solve problems involving potential and kinetic energy and work done by conservative and non-conservative forces.
  • Students will be able to solve problems involving both conservation of linear momentum, in one or two dimensions.
  • Students will be able to solve problems involving rotational dynamics of rigid bodies and the conservation of angular momentum.
  • Students will be able to solve problems involving simple harmonic oscillators, travelling waves, standing waves, interference of two waves, and beating of two waves.
  • Students will be able to solve problems involving heat transfer and the thermal properties of materials.
  • Students will be able to show understanding of the connection between macroscopic and microscopic properties of matter.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the zeroth, first, and second law of thermodynamics through the solution of problems involving ideal gases and heat engines.


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