ROCKVIEW UNIVERSITY

PH111 PHYSICS- I COURSE OUTLINE

Course Code: PH 111
Course Title: Physics I (Introductory Physics)
Aim:

This course aims to provide students with an extended foundation in physics with the ability to
acquire extensive subject knowledge in the field of physics such as measurements, force,
momentum, energy, kinematics, rotational motion, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, simple
machines and also about the various matters in the nature and their uses in the day-to-day life.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course students should be able to:

 Explain the basis of measurements and their units and on which basis the measurements
are calculated.
 Analyse dimensional correctness of the physical quantities.
 Estimate the parameters of the horizontal and oblique projectile motions.
 Explain the kinds of vectors like equal, unequal, like, unlike, unit, orthogonal, co-planar,
displacement and position vectors among others.
 Apply Newton's Laws to the study of mechanical systems.
 Illustrate the Newton’s laws of motion and the force acting on bodies.
 Evaluate the linear and rotational motions for various geometrical bodies.
 Explain the different forms of energy such as mechanical, solar, hydrothermal, chemical,
wind, nuclear and electric energy.
 Demonstrate the properties of fluids such as surface tension, capillary action.
 Conduct experiment the process of heat transfer from one medium to other.
 Employ simple machines and its importance in our day-to-day life.

 The difference between heat energy and thermal energy.

 The idea of specific heats of substances.
 Melting and boiling points.
 Calorimetry and thermal expansion of materials.
  Transmission of heat by conduction, convection and radiation.
 Understand what we mean by thermodynamics, especially the first law of thermodynamics,
and its applications.
 The difference between heat energy and thermal energy.
 The idea of specific heats of substances.
 Melting and boiling points.
 Calorimetry and thermal expansion of materials.
 Transmission of heat by conduction, convection and radiation.
 Understand and use Doppler effect.

Course Content
Unit 1:
Need for measurement: Units of measurement; systems of units; SI units, fundamental and
derived units, Length, mass and time measurements; accuracy and precision of measuring
instruments; errors in measurement; significant figures; Dimensions of physical quantities,
dimensional analysis and its applications.
Unit 2: Vectors: Vectors and scalars; vector addition and subtraction; vector components;
addition of vectors by components.
Unit 3: Description of motion: Speed and velocity; instantaneous velocity; Displacement;
Acceleration; Uniform accelerated motion; time and acceleration; acceleration of gravity;
projectile motion.
Unit 4: Newton’s laws of motion: First law; Inertia and mass; Force; second law; Action and
reaction; Third law; Mass and weight; Frictional forces; Coefficients of friction; Weightlessness.
Unit 5: Work and Energy: Work; Power; Energy; Work energy theorem; Kinetic and potential
energy; Conservation of energy; Conservative and non-Conservative forces.
Unit 6: Linear Momentum: Linear momentum; Conservation of linear momentum; Elastic and
Inelastic collisions; Impulse; Rocket propulsion.
Unit 7: Rotational motion: Angular measure; Angular speed and acceleration; Centripetal
acceleration and force; Equations of motion; law of gravitation; Gravitation and weight;
weightlessness; orbit motion.
Unit 8: Rotational work, energy and momentum: rotational work and kinetic energy; Moment
of inertia; Torque; Angular momentum; Combined rotation and translation.
Unit 9: Equilibrium: Translational equilibrium; Rotational equilibrium; Centre of gravity;
Topping over of objects; Mechanical advantage.
Unit 10: Mechanical Properties of matter: Density; Hooke’s law; Young’s modulus; Shear,
and Bulk modulus; pressure and depth; Archimedes’ principle; Buoyance.
Unit 11: pressure and temperature of a gas: Atmospheric pressure; Barometers; Thermometers;
Temperature scales; ideal gas law.
Unit 12: Thermal Properties of matter: Heat and heat units; Thermal energy; Specific heat
capacities; Heat of fusion and melting; Calorimetry; Thermal expansion; Heat conduction,
Convection, and radiation.
Unit 13: Thermodynamics: state variables;; First law; Work done by and on a gas; Specific heat
of an ideal gas; Adiabatic, Isothermal, and Isobaric processes; Second law; Entropy; Carnot
engine; Kelvin scale.
Unit 14: Harmonic Motion: Periodic motion; Hooke’s law spring; Harmonic motion;
Sinusoidal motion; Simple pendulum; Forced vibrations.
Unit 15: Waves: Description of a wave; Reflection of a wave; Standing waves; Wave resonance;
Transverse and longitudinal Waves; compression waves.
Unit 15: Sound and Acoustic Phenomena: The Origin of Sound; Sound waves in air; The
speed of sound; Intensity and Intensity Level; Inverse- square law for a Point Source; Frequence
response of the ear; Sound Pitch and Quality; Interference of sound waves; Resonance in air
columns; Doppler effect; Applications of Doppler effect;
Assessment
2 End of Term Tests 20 %
6 Assignments 15 %
Laboratory 15 %
Total C.A 50 %
Final Examination 50 %
Total 100%
Recommended books
1. Fredreck. J. Bueche, E.H. 1997. Schaum’s outline: College Physics. 9 th ed. New York:
McGraw Hill.
2. Giancoli, D.C. (2005). Physics. (6th ed.). Pearson/Addison- Wesley. ISBN:0-13-191183-
X
3. Raymond A. Serway, C.V., 2010. College Physics. 9th ed. Boston: Cengage Learning.
4. Serwey, R.A. (2005). College Physics (7th ed). Brook/Cole: ILCCN 20002113279
5. Simpson, D,. 2014. General Physics 1: Classical Mechanics. Meryland: Prince George’s
Community College.