El Camino College
COURSE OUTLINE OF RECORD - Official
I. GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION
Subject and Number: Physics 1A
Descriptive Title: Mechanics of Solids
Course Disciplines: Physics/Astronomy
Division: Natural Sciences
Catalog Description: This is the first course in a four-semester calculus-based physics
sequence designed for students with majors in engineering and the
physical sciences. The course focuses on the mechanics of solids,
with topics including statics, kinematics, Newton's Laws, energy,
power, linear and angular momentum, rotational dynamics, elasticity,
simple harmonic motion, and gravitation.
Conditions of Enrollment:
Prerequisite
One year of high school Physics
or
Physics 2A
AND
Mathematics 190
with a minimum grade of C in prerequisite or
Concurrent Enrollment
Course Length: X Full Term Other (Specify number of weeks):
Hours Lecture: 4.00 hours per week TBA
Hours Laboratory: 2.00 hours per week TBA
Course Units: 4.00
Grading Method: Letter
Credit Status Associate Degree Credit
Transfer CSU: X Effective Date: Prior to July 1992
Transfer UC: X Effective Date: Prior to July 1992
General Education:
El Camino College:
1 – Natural Sciences
Term: Other: Approved
CSU GE:
B1 - Physical Science
Term: Other:
B3 - Laboratory Sciences
Term: Other: Approved
IGETC:
5A - Physical Science with Lab
Term: Fall 1991 Other:
II. OUTCOMES AND OBJECTIVES
A. COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (The course student learning
outcomes are listed below, along with a representative assessment method for
each. Student learning outcomes are not subject to review, revision or approval
by the College Curriculum Committee)
1.
Students can recognize the basic physical principles which are relevant in a
given physical situation involving mechanics in order to correctly answer
conceptual questions.
2.
Students can identify and apply the relevant laws of physics along with the
necessary mathematics to successfully solve a mechanics problem.
3.
Students can read and record, with appropriate units and uncertainties,
measurements taken from a Vernier caliper and a micrometer. Students
can interpret and analyze the collected data, including error analysis.
The above SLOs were the most recent available SLOs at the time of course review. For
the most current SLO statements, visit the El Camino College SLO webpage at
http://www.elcamino.edu/academics/slo/.
B. Course Student Learning Objectives (The major learning objective for
students enrolled in this course are listed below, along with a representative
assessment method for each)
1. Draw a free-body diagram which depicts forces acting on a rigid object, and use this
diagram to quantitatively analyze these forces.
Other exams
2. Analyze the motion of objects moving in one- or two-dimensions with constant or
variable acceleration, including free-falling objects.
Other exams
3. Analyze the motion of a rigid object using a free-body diagram analysis together with
Newton's laws of motion.
Other exams
4. Use the concepts of work, energy, impulse and momentum to analyze the motion of
rigid objects.
Other exams
5. Analyze the motion of a rotating object using appropriate physical principles,
including Newton's second law for rotation, and conservation of angular momentum.
Other exams
6. Identify the possibility of simple harmonic motion in a given physical scenario, and
describe the motion of the system in question.
Other exams
7. Use Kepler's laws, Newton's law of gravitation, and the concepts of gravitational
potential energy and gravitational fields, to describe the motion of objects in
gravitational orbits.
Other exams
8. Demonstrate the ability to explain physical phenomena conceptually and qualitatively.
Essay exams
9. Use different measuring devices, such as the micrometer or vernier caliper and
determine the errors that are introduced with each measurement.
Laboratory reports
10. Define and use the basic concepts and equations in error theory. Recognize when to
use the different equations.
Laboratory reports
11. Analyze data graphically using linear, semi-log, and log-log scales.
Laboratory reports
12. Solve mechanics problems utilizing differential calculus for a variety of physical
situations.
Other exams
III. OUTLINE OF SUBJECT MATTER (Topics are detailed enough to enable a qualified
instructor to determine the major areas that should be covered as well as ensure
consistency from instructor to instructor and semester to semester.)
Lecture
or Lab
Approximate
Hours
Topic
Number
Major Topic
Lecture 16 I
I. EQUILIBRIUM
A. Systems of units
B. Mathematics of vectors and scalars.
C. Forces, including friction and weight.
D. Newton’s 1st and 3rd Laws of motion.
E. Conditions of Equilibrium for point objects.
F. Torque and center of gravity.
G. Conditions of equilibrium for point extended objects.
Lecture 3 II
II. TRANSLATIONAL KINEMATICS
A. Displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
B. Graphical representation of motion.
C. Motion with constant acceleration.
D. Motion with variable acceleration.
Lecture 3 III
III. TWO-DIMENSIONAL KINEMATICS
A. Displacement, velocity, and acceleration vectors, and
resolution of these vectors into components.
B. Constant acceleration and free-fall motion in two
dimensions.
C. Projectile motion and trajectories.
D. Relative velocity.
Lecture 3 IV
IV. LINEAR DYNAMICS
A. Mass and force.
B. Newton’s 2nd law, and applications thereof.
Lecture 10 V
V. WORK AND ENERGY
A. Work, kinetic energy, and the work-kinetic energy theorem.
B. Power.
C. Potential energy.
D. Conservation of mechanical energy.
E. Conservative vs. nonconservative forces, and the effect of
nonconservative forces on conservation of mechanical energy.
Lecture 9 VI
VI. IMPULSE AND MOMENTUM
A. Impulse and momentum.
B. Conservation of momentum.
C. Elastic and inelastic collisions.
D. Coefficient of restitution.
E. Motion of the center of mass.
Lecture 9 VII
VII. CIRCULAR MOTION
A. Rotational kinematics.
B. Centripetal and tangential acceleration.
C. Newton's laws applied to objects moving in circles.
Lecture 7 VIII
VIII. ROTATIONAL DYNAMICS
A. Moment of inertia and parallel axis theorem.
B. Newton's second law for rotation applied to pivoted and
nonpivoted objects.
C. Rotational vs. translation motion.
D. Rolling motion.
E. Angular impulse and angular momentum.
F. Vector representation of angular quantities.
G. Work and power in rotational motion.
Lecture 2 IX
IX. ELASTICITY
A. Longitudinal stress and strain,
B. Shear stress and strain.
C. Torsion in a rod.
D. Poisson’s ratio.
E. Relationship between elastic constants.
Lecture 7 X
X. OSCILLATION
A. Hooke’s law.
B. Differential equation for simple harmonic motion.
C. Kinematic equations for objects undergoing simple
harmonic motion.
D. Energy in simple harmonic motion.
E. Centers of oscillation and percussion.
F. Forced oscillation and resonance.
G. Damped harmonic motion.
Lecture 3 XI
XI. GRAVITATION
A. Newton’s law of gravitation.
B. Orbital motion.
C. Gravitational fields and potential.
Lab 36 XII
XII. LABORATORY EXERCISES
A. - Measurements and Their Errors
B. - Propagation of Errors
C. - Graphical Analysis on Linear Graph Paper
D. - Variable Accelerating Motion
E. - Ballistic Pendulum and Projectile Motion
F. - Moment of Inertia by Angular Acceleration and by Angular
Collision
G. - Gyroscopic Motion
H. - Standard deviation; general formulas for propagation of
error.
Total Lecture Hours 72
Total Laboratory
Hours
36
Total Hours 108
IV. PRIMARY METHOD OF EVALUATION AND SAMPLE ASSIGNMENTS
A. PRIMARY METHOD OF EVALUATION:
Problem solving demonstrations (computational or non-computational)
B. TYPICAL ASSIGNMENT USING PRIMARY METHOD OF EVALUATION:
A particle of mass, m = 1.00 kg, traveling at a speed of vo=10.0 m/s, strikes a
stationary particle of mass, M=4.00 kg, and rebounds in the direction from which
it came, with a speed of vf. If the amount of heat produced in this collision is 20.0
J, find vf. (Draw a neat sketch, and show and label all the physical quantities
used in your equations. Also state which physical law is responsible for each
equation.)
C. COLLEGE-LEVEL CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Answer the question below. Use complete sentences and show calculations
where appropriate. A plumb bob does not hang exactly along a line directed to
the center of the Earth’s rotation. How much does the plumb bob deviate from a
radial line at 35 degrees north latitude? Assume that the Earth is spherical.
2. Answer the question below. Use complete sentences and show calculations
where appropriate. Water flows over a section of Niagara Falls at a rate of 1.2 x
10^6 kg/s and falls 50.0 m. How many 60-W bulbs can be lit with this power?
D. OTHER TYPICAL ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION METHODS:
Essay exams
Objective Exams
Other exams
Quizzes
Written homework
Laboratory reports
Homework Problems
Multiple Choice
V. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS
Demonstration
Discussion
Laboratory
Lecture
Note: In compliance with Board Policies 1600 and 3410, Title 5 California Code of
Regulations, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Sections 504 and 508 of the Americans
with Disabilities Act, instruction delivery shall provide access, full inclusion, and
effective communication for students with disabilities.
VI. WORK OUTSIDE OF CLASS
Study
Answer questions
Required reading
Problem solving activities
Other (specify)
Reduced the study hours from 8 to 7 with the understanding that the 2 hours of lab was
instrumental in supporting the lecture material.
Estimated Independent Study Hours per Week: 7
VII. TEXTS AND MATERIALS
A. UP-TO-DATE REPRESENTATIVE TEXTBOOKS
Wilson. Laboratory Manual for Mechanics of Solids . El Camino College Bookstore,
2013.
Young, Freedman, Ford. University Physics with Modern Physics. 13th Edition ed.
Addison-Wesley, 2011.
B. ALTERNATIVE TEXTBOOKS
C. REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS
D. OTHER REQUIRED MATERIALS
Scientific calculator
Ruler and protractor
Graph paper (linear, semi log, log-log)
VIII. CONDITIONS OF ENROLLMENT
A. Requisites (Course and Non-Course Prerequisites and Corequisites)
Requisites Category and Justification
Non-Course
Prerequisite
or
Students will need to have a basic knowledge of methods for solving physics
problems such as force diagrams, kinematics equations, and conservation
laws.
Course
Prerequisite
Physics-2A
AND
Sequential
Course
Prerequisite
Mathematics-
190
Computational/Communication Skills
B. Requisite Skills
Requisite Skills
Basic knowledge of Newton’s Laws, kinematics, work, and energy. PHYS 2A - Demonstrate the ability
to solve problems using Newton’s Laws of Motion, momentum and impulse, work-energy theorem,
conservation of energy, torque, the laws of thermodynamics, hydrostatics, hydrodynamics, Newton’s
Law of Universal Gravitation, and simple harmonic motion.
Identify what is and is not important in a problem, draw meaningful diagrams to aid in problem
solving, and construct mathematical models of physics problems. PHYS 2A -
Analyze physical problems in order to recognize the physical principles required to solve the
problem, isolate and model the physical principles underlying each part of the problem,
formulate the equations for each part, combine and solve the system of equations for the
problem, and analyze and explain the results of the computations.
Ability to perform elementary differentiation and integration. MATH 190 - Calculate derivatives of
algebraic and transcendental functions symbolically using rules and using the definition of the
derivative, as well as estimating derivatives graphically and numerically.
C. Recommended Preparations (Course and Non-Course)
Recommended Preparation Category and Justification
D. Recommended Skills
Recommended Skills
E. Enrollment Limitations
Enrollment Limitations and Category Enrollment Limitations Impact
Course created by T. Wilson, G. Karpel, M. Feero, and J. Platts on 02/01/1965.
BOARD APPROVAL DATE:
LAST BOARD APPROVAL DATE: 02/17/2015
Last Reviewed and/or Revised by Eyal Goldmann on 10/08/2013
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