Course Syllabus
Athabasca University
Physics (PHYS) 200
Introductory Physics I (Revision 3)
Revision 3 closed, replaced by current version.
View previous syllabus
Delivery mode: Individualized study online with home lab. PC-compatible, Windows-based computer required.
Credits: 3 - Science
Prerequisite: None.
Precluded course: PHYS 274 (PHYS 200 may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for PHYS 274.)
Centre: Centre for Science
Téluq equivalency: PHY 1021
PHYS 200 is not available for challenge.
Course website
Overview
PHYS 200 is a junior, non-calculus course that provides an introduction to mechanics.
Outline
Theory Section:
Unit 1: Kinematics in one dimension
Unit 2: Kinematics in two dimensions
Unit 3: Newton's laws of motion
Unit 4: Gravitation
Unit 5: Conservation of mechanical energy
Unit 6: Conservation of linear momentum
Unit 7: Rotational Motion and static equilibrium.
Experimental Section:
1: Graphical Analysis
2: Force Constant
3: Kinematics Measurement and Acceleration
4: The Pendulum and Mechanical Energy
5: Dropping and Bouncing
6: Atwood’s Pulley
7: Sliding and Rolling on an Incline
Evaluation
To receive credit for PHYS 200, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least “D” (50 percent) and a grade of at least 50 percent on the final examination. You must also get a total lab mark of at least a 50 percent to pass the course. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Assignments | Lab Work | Midterm Exam | Final Exam | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20% | 20% | 20% | 40% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbook
Giancoli, Douglas C., 2004. Physics, 6th. ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Other materials
The course materials include a student manual, a study guide, a lab guide, and Graphical Analysis software. Students will access all these materials online.
The laboratory package is borrowed from the library at no cost to students and uses Texas Instruments Calculator Based Laboratory (CBL) technology, incorporating a TI-83 graphing calculator to control a CBL or CBR unit and sensors. A Graph-Link cable is used to transfer data to a computer for analysis.
In this way students get practical laboratory experience measuring and relating to the following basic physical parameters:
- distance, time, acceleration, force.
And derived quantities including:
- velocity, acceleration from distance/time, mass from weight, force from acceleration and mass, frequency, and period.
Special Course Features
A compulsory lab component requires that students perform labs in a place of their choice using materials borrowed from Athabasca University Library, and some household items. Lab evaluation is based on written reports about the experiments performed.
Please go to the physics home lab schedule for more information regarding a potential Physics Lab Tutorial Week.