PHYS 161 - General Physics I: Mechanics and Heat

• Use the appropriate system of units in solving problems.
• Determine the correct number of significant figures in the analysis.
• Identify and express vectors using vector diagrams and using unit vector notation.
• Add and subtract vectors, compute scalar and vector products, and physically interpret the results of these calculations.
• Solve problems with either constant or time-dependent acceleration.
• Solve problems relating to graphs of displacement, velocity, and acceleration, as functions of time.
• Analyze two-dimensional motions.
• Understand and solve simple problems involving the basics of relative motion.
• Understand the dynamics of particle motion as it relates to forces.
• Apply Newton’s laws to multidimensional problems.
• Apply calculus to solve problems with variable forces.
• Distinguish between the inertial and gravitational mass.
• Explain the role of friction and restoring forces in the motion of objects.
• Determine work and to solve problems using it’s scalar product form and integral definition for variable forces.
• Summarize the basic properties of conservative forces and, in simple problems, know how to identify them.
• Demonstrate understanding of the relation between conservative forces and the potential energy function.
• Apply the law of conservation of energy to mechanical systems.
• Demonstrate understanding of and apply the concepts of average and instantaneous power.
• Solve problems involving non-conservative forces such friction.
• Explain the alternative form of Newton’s second law that is useful for a system of particles and variable mass.
• Demonstrate understanding of and apply the law of conservation of linear momentum to mechanical systems of interacting particles including problems involving particle collisions.
• Solve rotational kinematic problems for both constant and variable accelerations.
• Calculate the moment of inertia of a rigid body.
• Solve problems involving the rotation of rigid bodies using angular kinematics, torque, angular momentum and it’s conservation law, mechanical energy and it’s conservation law, power, and be able to using calculus for simple continuous mass distributions.
• Apply Newton’s law of gravitation, center-of-gravity, and gravitational potential energy.
• Explain macroscopic definition and the microscopic origins of temperature according to kinetic theory.
• Understand the relation between heat as a form of energy transfer, temperature, pressure, volume, and the phases of matter.
• Solve problems involving temperature scale conversions, calorimetry, expansion due to heat, and phenomena involving conduction, convection, and radiation.
• Solve problems involving ideal gases.
• Comprehend and apply the first and second laws of thermodyamics for liquid, solid, or gas systems.

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