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The Sequence of the Class
The Sequence of the Class
Semester 01
Semester 01
Physics begins with a study of motion. Objects that move in a straight line at a constant speed are described in this unit. Topics include displacement, speed, velocity and vectors.
In the real world, motion is often changing. Objects that change their velocity -- by speeding up or slowing down or turning -- are the subject of this unit. Topics include acceleration, force and graph analysis techniques.
To explain why objects change their motion, it is necessary to describe the ways that two objects can influence the motions of each other. Topics include force pairs, linear momentum and collisions.
Another way to describe motion or the ability to move is to use the concept of energy -- kinetic, potential and thermal energy. Topics include work, power and energy.
One important special case of accelerated motion or the ability to move is when these phenomena are caused by gravity. Newton came up with a good approximation of the influence of gravitational forces on objects. Topics include inverse-square laws, gravitational forces between any two objects and projectile motion.
Energy concepts can be used to describe atomic or molecular motion as well, which explains some of the macroscopic behaviors of the substance. Topics include elasticity, pressure and buoyancy.
Semester 02
Semester 02
Just as objects move naturally from areas of high potential energy to areas of low potential energy, thermal energy moves naturally from areas of high temperature to areas of low temperature. This movement of energy can be harnessed to do work. Topics include temperature, heat and entropy.
When particles in a medium are disturbed, they are given energy. That is passed along to nearby particles. In this way, energy moves through a medium, radiating outward in waves. Topics include simple harmonic oscillation, waves, sound and the Doppler effect.
When electrons and other charged particles move from one place to another, they have energy. That energy can be converted into work, powering electrical and electronic components. Topics include Ohm's law, circuits and fields.
When electric charges are oscillated very, very quickly, they cause oscillations in electric and magnetic fields. These oscillations are waves that radiate out through space in the form of light. Topics include the electromagnetic spectrum, reflection and refraction.
Some particles and atoms are naturally unstable and will spontaneously decay into more stable, less energetic forms. When they do, they release energy in the form of radiation. Topics include alpha, beta and gamma decay, shielding and half-life calculations.
Most people know that the fastest anything can travel is the speed of light. When particles travel near the speed of light, the classical laws of physics -- the ones that we have learned over the course of the year -- break down. We learn that nearly everything we have learned in this class has been an incredibly useful approximation of motion relationships. Topics include red- and blueshifts, time dilation and black holes.
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