Physics (PHYS) 204

Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (Revision 2)

Revision 2 is closed for registrations, see current version

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Delivery Mode: Individualized study online (with eTextbook) and home lab component. This course is charged a lab fee.

Credits: 3

Area of Study: Science

Prerequisite: Math 265 or equivalent. MATH 265 can be taken concurrently with PHYS 204.

Precluded course: PHYS 200

Centre: Centre for Science

PHYS 204 is not available for challenge.

Overview

PHYS 204 is an introductory calculus-based physics course recommended for science, engineering, and pre-med students. The course covers material on Newtonian mechanics as outlined below. It also includes a lab component, which involves completing experiments in your home. In addition to the etextbook, this online course is built around a set of video lectures from MIT Open Courseware. These videos are customized for this course and supplemented with 3D animation videos created using text-to-speech technology software developed by Xtranormal Technology Inc.

Outline

PHYS 204 consists of the following thirteen units:

Unit 1: Physics and Measurement
Unit 2: Motion in One Dimension
Unit 3: Vectors
Unit 4: Motion in Two Dimensions
Unit 5: The Laws of Motion
Unit 6: Circular Motion
Unit 7: Energy of a System
Unit 8: Conservation of Energy
Unit 9: Linear Momentum and Collisions
Unit 10: Rotation of a Rigid Body About a Fixed Axis
Unit 11: Angular Momentum
Unit 12: Static Equilibrium and Elasticity
Unit 13: Universal Gravitation

Lab Component

PHYS 204 includes a compulsory lab component that requires the student to perform seven hands-on lab experiments in a place of her/his choice. Essential tools and equipment can be borrowed from the Athabasca University Science Lab packaged in the Home Lab Kit. The student is expected to provide some additional common household materials. Lab evaluation is based on written reports about the experiments performed. The PHYS 204 Lab Manual explains the following experiments:

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

The student may qualify for partial or full transfer of lab credit obtained for equivalent lab work at another institution. See relevant AU policy and procedure

Evaluation

The final grade in PHYS 204 is based on the marks achieve in four assignments, seven lab reports, and two examinations. To pass the course, the student must achieve at least D (50 percent) on the final examination and on the lab component, and an overall course grade of at least D (50 percent).

The following chart summarizes the evaluation activities and the credit weight associated with each.

Activity	Weighting
Assignments (5% each)	20%
Lab	20%
Midterm Exam	20%
Final Exam	40%
Total	100%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbooks

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

Serway, Raymond A. and Jewett, John W. Jr., Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 9th ed. Belmont, CA: Brooks-Cole, 2014.

Gordon J., McGrew R., and Serway R., Student Solutions Manual and Study Guide, 9th ed. Boston, MA: Brooks-Cole, 2014.

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

The Athabasca University online course resources include a Study Guide and Lab Manual, as well as Logger Pro Software. Home Lab Kit to be borrowed from the AU Science Lab.

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 2, July 8, 2016.