DE ANZA COLLEGE

PHYSICAL SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, AND ENGINEERING DIVISION

COURSE OUTLINE

X degree applicable

Physics 2C Fall 1999

  1. Catalog Description


Physics 2C General Introductory Physics 5 Units

Prerequisites: Physics 2B

Advisory: EWRT 100B and READ 91 or LART 100 or ESL 4

Four hours lecture; three hours laboratory.

Study fluids, thermodynamics and modern physics. In the laboratory, continue to deepen an understanding of scientific procedure by applying theoretical models to classic experiments.

  1. Course Objectives

The student will:

    1. apply the relevant principles of physics to solve problems in:
      1. Fluids
      2. Temperature and Kinetic Theory
      3. Heat
      4. The Laws of Thermodynamics
      5. Special Relativity
      6. Early Quantum Theory
      7. Quantum Mechanics
      8. Nuclear Physics
      9. Elementary Particles
      10. Astrophysics and Cosmology


    2. in the laboratory demonstrate an ability to:
      1. Maintain a legible, coherent and useful lab book utilizing extended written passages
      2. Take accurate measurements with confidence and understand the uncertainties associated with them
      3. Analyze data using graphical, elementary statistical, and computer based techniques
      4. Analyze data to induce scientific conclusions
      5. Collaborate with others to produce collective results.
  1. Essential Student Materials

Laboratory notebook, writing tools, ruler, scientific calculator

  1. Essential College Facilities

Physics Lab

  1. Expanded Description: Content and Form

The student will:

    1. apply the relevant principles of physics to solve problems in:
      1. Fluids
        1. Density
        2. Pressure in fluids
        3. Atmospheric pressure
        4. Pascal's principle
        5. Archimedes' principle
        6. Bernoulli equation
      2. Temperature and Kinetic Theory
        1. Temperature
        2. Thermal expansion
        3. The gas laws
        4. Kinetic theory
        5. Distribution of molecular speeds
      3. Heat
        1. Definition of heat
        2. Internal energy
        3. Specific heat
        4. Latent heat
        5. Heat transfer
      4. The Laws of Thermodynamics
        1. First Law
        2. Second Law
        3. Heat engines
        4. Entropy and the second law
      5. Special Relativity
        1. Postulates of the special theory
        2. Simlutaneity
        3. Time dilation
        4. Length contraction
        5. Mass increase
        6. Mass and energy
      6. Early Quantum Theory
        1. Planck's quantum hypothesis
        2. Photon theory of light
        3. Wave nature of matter
        4. The Bohr model of the atom
      7. Quantum Mechanics
        1. The Wave Function
        2. Heisenberg uncertainty
        3. Quantum mechanics and atoms
      8. Nuclear Physics
        1. Structure and properties of the nucleus
        2. Binding energy and nuclear forces
        3. Radioactivity
          1. Alpha decay
          2. Beta decay
          3. Gamma decay
        4. Conservation laws
        5. Decay rates
        6. Radioactive dating
      9. Elementary Particles
        1. High energy particles
        2. Particle accelerators
        3. Particles and antiparticles
        4. Conservation laws
        5. Strange particles
        6. Quarks
        7. The standard model
      10. Astrophysics and Cosmology
        1. General Relativity
        2. Galaxies
        3. The expansion of the universe
    2. in the laboratory demonstrate an ability to:
      1. Maintain a legible, coherent and useful lab book utilizing extended written passages
        1. the structure of a lab book
        2. methods of keeping a useful lab book
      2. Take accurate measurements with confidence and understand the uncertainties associated with them
        1. using the meter stick, vernier calipers, pan balance, digital balance, and electronic measuring equipment, including the oscilloscope as appropriate.
        2. discuss uncertainties and their use.
        3. with time allowed, mean value and standard deviation
      3. Analyze data to induce scientific conclusions
        1. "linearizing" data to obtain linear plots and interpret slope and y- intercept values


      4. Synthesize the analysis of data to induce scientific conclusions
        1. write meaningful conclusions based on observations, calculations, and data analysis
      5. Collaborate with others as a team to produce collective results.
        1. organize lab procedures as a team effort emulating the equivalent practices as found in industry and professional levels of research.
        2. understand the ethics of the empirical scientific procedure as an attempt to report the reality of one's findings
  1. Assignments
    1. Daily and weekly readings from the text
    2. Weekly readings from the laboratory manual
    3. Weekly written assignments from the text and lectures
    4. Written laboratory records during each week of lab


  2. Methods of Evaluating Objectives
    1. Two or more examinations of at least 50 minutes duration to include questions requiring verbal answers.
    2. Weekly quizzes based upon homework assignments and lecture
    3. Laboratory quizzes and/or periodic review and critique of laboratory books
    4. A laboratory-based final examination involving "hands-on" practical evaluations where possible and appropriate
    5. A two-hour comprehensive lecture final that includes the testing of verbal and conceptual understanding as well as mathematical and computational competency with respect to the theoretical basis and problem solving aspects of the class.


  3. Text

Texts:

Giancoli, D., Physics, 5th Edition, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, Prentice-Hall, 1997

Dunn, R., Physics 2C Laboratory Exercises, De Anza Printing Services 1992

Demonstration apparatus and film loops are available from the physics stockroom.