Physics (PHYS) 200

Introductory Physics I (Revision 6)

PHYS 200

Revision 6 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version

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Delivery Mode: Individualized study online (with eTextbook), with home lab component (Order the lab kit online). Additional supplies required for PHYS 200 lab. This course is charged a lab fee.

PHYS 200 lab exemption

Credits: 3

Area of Study: Science

Prerequisite: None

Precluded Course: PHYS 204 (PHYS 200 may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for PHYS 204.)

Centre: Centre for Science

Téluq equivalency: PHY 1021

PHYS 200 is not available for challenge.

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*Note: If you are interested in a university physics course at a more introductory level and with no lab requirement, then you may want to consider PHYS 210.

Overview

PHYS 200 is a junior, algebra-based course that provides an introduction to mechanics. PHYS 200 combined with either PHYS 201 or PHYS 202 gives the equivalent of one year in introductory physics able to be matched to offerings at other institutions.

Outline

Theory Section:

  1. Kinematics in one and two dimensions
  2. Newton's laws of motion and applications
  3. Universal gravitation and satellite motion
  4. Work-energy principle and conservation of mechanical energy
  5. Conservation of linear momentum and collisions
  6. Rotational kinematics and dynamics
  7. Static equilibrium.

Lab Component:

A compulsory lab component requires that students perform lab experiments in a place of their choice using a lab kit borrowed from Athabasca University Library, and some household items. Lab evaluation is based on written reports about the experiments performed. The PHYS 200 Lab Manual consists of the following seven experiments:

  1. Experiment 1: Graphical Analysis
  2. Experiment 2: Force Constant
  3. Experiment 3: Kinematics
  4. Experiment 4: Mechanical Energy
  5. Experiment 5: Dropping and Bouncing
  6. Experiment 6: The Atwood Machine
  7. Experiment 7: Motion on 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

Registration in this course includes an electronic textbook. For more information on electronic textbooks, please refer to our eText Initiative site.

Giancoli, Douglas C., 2004. Physics, 6th. ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

A print version of the eText may be available for purchase from the publisher through a direct-to-student link provided on the course website; you can also acquire the textbook on your own if you wish.

Other Resources

All other learning resources will be available online.

Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.

Opened in Revision 6, February 11, 2014.

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