Catalog Description:

 

 

A brief presentation of some of the more important and interesting phenomena in physics including Newton's laws of motion, satellite and planetary motion, atomic structure, energy, electricity and magnetism. Emphasis is on developing an intuitive understanding of principles rather than a detailed mathematical treatment. Open to students with or without high school physics, but not open to those who have credit for or are currently taking Physics 2A,2B,4A,4B,or 4C. Completion of Math 121 (5 units) or math 151 or one year of high school algebra is recommended.

What is Studied?

This course touches on many scientific topics related to our physical world, including some or all of the following:

• historical perspective of the scientific method
• how to describe motion, falling bodies, satellite and planetary orbits
• Newton's laws of motion and their application to simple problems
• energy and its relevance to our world
• universal gravitation, tides, and black holes
• atomic nature of matter: atoms and molecules, antimatter
• gases, liquids, and solids
• temperature, heat, heat transfer, solar and geothermal energy
• laws of thermodynamics, entropy
• sound, music, waves
• electricity: charges, circuits, electrical power
• magnetism, electromagnetic waves
• light, lenses, mirrors, optical instruments, light waves
• atomic and nuclear physics, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion
• relativity, cosmology (theories of the origin of the universe)

Who should take this course?

While intended as a course primarily for non-science majors, it may also provide insight to students comtemplating--but uncertain about--a career in science or engineering. Students in the electronics program are required to take this course. It is intended for those wishing to know more about interesting physical phenomena in the world around them and since there is no prerequisite for the course, it is open to everyone. The course is taught with an emphasis more on the intuitive concepts involved and less on a detailed mathematical treatment. However, basic skills in handling numbers and algebraic symbols and in solving word problems should improve after taking this course.

What are the prerequisites?

None. Some small acquaintance with algebra is desireable. There will be an occasional need to substitute numbers into an equation and be able to calculate an answer.

Will this course transfer?

Physics 10 is transferable as a general science elective to both the CSU and UC systems.

What comes after Physics 10?

For students with the necessary math background, Physics 2A,2B (General Physics) or Physics 4A, 4B, 4C (engineering physics) are more advanced courses that are generally required for those majoring in technical areas.

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A sequence of two, semester courses for biology, physical therapy, pharmacy, and most pre-med majors

Catalog Description:

 

Lectures and lab covering vectors, motion, forces, gravity, satellites, work, energy, momentum, rotational motion, mechanical properties of matter, and heat. Required for pre-medical, pre-dental, biology, pharmacy, and physical therapy majors.

What is studied?

This is the first semester of a two semester sequence in introductory physics. An important difference between this course and Physics 10 (Introductory Physics) is that fewer topics are covered, but the treatment involves more of an emphasis on problem solving with the use of mathematics. Concepts learned in Physics 2A are essential for students planning to subsequently take Physics 2B. Laboratory experiments that relate to many of the ideas discussed are performed by the students throughout the semester. Specific areas covered include:

• scientific method, order of magnitude estimates
• how to describe motion, falling bodies, satellite and planetary orbits
• Newton's laws of motion and their application to simple problems
• energy and its relevance to our world
• universal gravitation, tides, and black holes
• atomic nature of matter: atoms and molecules, antimatter
• gases, liquids, and solids
• temperature, heat, heat transfer, solar and geothermal energy
• laws of thermodynamics, entropy

Who should take this course?

Physics 2A should be taken by any student needing a lab science elective but especially students majoring in biology, physical therapy, pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, chiropractic, and pre-pharmacy. Any student planning to take Physics 2B should take Physics 2A.

What are the prerequisites?

Prerequisites for Physics 2A are Intermediate Algebra (Math 123) and Trigonometry (Math 24).

Will this course transfer?

Physics 2A is transferable to both the CSU and UC systems and satisfies the requirements for most majors that require a non-calculus introductory physics course.

What comes after Physics 2A?

Physics 2B is the logical next step for students wishing to continue their studies in physics. Most majors that require Physics 2A require Physics 2B as well. Students (with the proper math background) wishing to study more in-depth physics can take Physics 4A, 4B, and 4C. Physics 45 is also available for those wishing to explore an individual topic in more depth.

Want more information?

Contact Dr. Brooke Haag, physics instructor, (831)755-6884; bhaag@hartnell.edu

A sequence of three, semester calculus based physics courses for engineering, physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science and other physical science majors

Catalog Description:

Lectures and laboratories covering vectors, particle kinematics and dynamics, work, energy, momentum, angular momentum, conservation laws, rigid bodies, oscillations. Required for engineering and physical science majors. Strongly recommended for math and computer science majors.

What is studied?

Physics 4A provides a more in depth and mathematical treatment of introductory physics than Physics 10 (Introductory Physics) or Physics 2A, 2B. It is the first semester of a three semester sequence of calculus based courses (Physics 4A, 4B, 4C). Laboratory experiments are done by the student to reinforce many areas discussed in the course. Topics covered include:

• scientific method, order of magnitude estimates
• how to describe motion, falling bodies, satellite and planetary orbits
• Newton's laws of motion and their application to simple problems
• momentum, energy and its relevance to our world
• universal gravitation, tides, and black holes
• center of mass, torques, and rotational motion
• restoring forces and simple harmonic motion

Who should take this course?

Physics 4A should be taken by any student needing a lab science elective but especially student majoring in engineering, physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science, geology, and other physical sciences. Any student planning to take Physics 4B or Physics 4C should take Physics 4A.

What are the prerequisites?

The prerequisite for Physics 4A is successful completion of Math 3A.

Will this course transfer?

Physics 4A is transferable to both the CSU and UC systems and satisfies the requirements for most majors requiring a calculus level introductory physics course in mechanics.

What comes after Physics 4A?

Physics 4B or 4C is the logical next step for students wishing to continue their studies in physics. Most majors that require Physics 4A require Physics 4B and 4C as well. Physics 45 can be taken for those interested in pursuing a specific topic in more detail.

Want more information?

Contact Dr. Brooke Haag, physics instructor, (831)755-6884; bhaag@hartnell.edu

Catalog Description:

Lectures and laboratories covering electric charges and currents, electric and magnetic fields, capacitance, inductance, resistance. Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic oscillations and waves. Required for engineering and physical science majors. Strongly recommended for math and computer science majors.

What is studied?

Physics 4B provides a more in depth and mathematical treatment of introductory physics than Physics 10 (Introductory Physics) or Physics 2A, 2B. It is the second semester of a three semester sequence of calculus based courses (Physics 4A, 4B, 4C). It can be taken immediately after completion of Physics 4A. Laboratory experiments are done by the student to reenforce many areas discussed in the course. Topics covered include:

• electric charges, Coulomb's Law, electric fields
• determination of electric fields due to charge distributions, Gauss's Law
• electric potential, capacitance, resistivity, resistance, and inductance
• energy considerations in both electric and magnetic fields
• electrical current, Ohm's Law
• circuit solving--both DC and AC
• magnetic fields, Ampere's Law
• electromagnetic induction, Faraday's Law
• electromagnetic waves

Who should take this course?

Physics 4B should be taken by any student needing a lab science elective but especially student majoring in engineering, physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science, geology, and other physical sciences. It is the logical next course after Physics 4A for students needing a calculus based physics sequence of courses. Any student planning to take Engineering 6 (Introduction to Circuit Analysis) should take Physics 4B.

What are the prerequisites?

The prerequisite for Physics 4B is successful completion of Physics 4A.

Will this course transfer?

Physics 4B is transferable to both the CSU and UC systems and satisfies the requirements for most majors requiring a calculus level introductory physics course in electricity and magnetism.

What comes after Physics 4B?

If it has not been previously taken, Physics 4C is the logical next step for students wishing to continue their studies in physics. Most majors that require Physics 4B require Physics 4C as well. Physics 45 can be taken for those interested in pursuing a specific topic in more detail.

Want more information?

Contact Dr. Brooke Haag, physics instructor, (831)755-6884; bhaag@hartnell.edu

Catalog Description:

Lecture and laboratory, covering fluids, waves, sound, thermal properties of matter, kinetic theory of gases, heat transfer, laws of thermodynamics, reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction of light, lens systems, electromagnetic waves. Required for engineering and physical science majors. Strongly recommended for math and computer science majors.

What is studied?

Physics 4C provides a more in depth and mathematical treatment of introductory physics than Physics 10 (Introductory Physics) or Physics 2A, 2B. It is the third semester of a three semester sequence of calculus based courses (Physics 4A, 4B, 4C). It can be taken immediately after completion of Physics 4A. Laboratory experiments are done by the student to reenforce many areas discussed in the course. Topics covered include:

• fluid statics, and dynamics
• mechanical waves, sound waves
• temperature, heat, laws of thermodynamics
• heat engines, entropy
• geometrical optics, lenses, mirrors, optical systems
• diffraction, interference, lasers
• photoelectric effect, Comton effect, Bohr model of hydrogen
• elementary ideas of quantum mechanics
• special relativity

Who should take this course?

Physics 4C should be taken by any student needing a lab science elective but especially student majoring in engineering, physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science, geology, and other physical sciences. It is the logical next course after Physics 4A or 4B for students needing a calculus based physics sequence of courses.

What are the prerequisites?

The prerequisite for Physics 4C is successful completion of Physics 4A.

Will this course transfer?

Physics 4C is transferable to both the CSU and UC systems and satisfies the requirements for most majors requiring a calculus level introductory physics course in heat, light and sound.

What comes after Physics 4C?

If it has not been previously taken, Physics 4B is the logical next step for students wishing to continue their studies in physics. Most majors that require Physics 4C require Physics 4B as well. Physics 45 can be taken for those interested in pursuing a specific topic in more detail.

Want more information?

Contact Dr. Brooke Haag, physics instructor, (831)755-6884; bhaag@hartnell.edu

Catalog Description:

Laboratory work in the field of physics. Enables the student to investigate topics beyond the scope of the regular physics courses. Concurrent enrollment in a regular physics course is recommended.