SyllamateInstructor approved · Physics I
Physics I — Classical mechanics, waves, heat engines, and one-dimensional continuity
Audience: freshman aerospace (and shared STEM).
Prerequisite for: Physics II (phys-ii-aero)
Contact: lecture 3×50 min, discussion 1×50 min, lab 1×110 min each instructional week.
Labs: weekly meeting. Four graded write-ups (lab_u1…lab_u4), due at the last lab of each unit. Other weeks’ labs are ungraded practice toward LO-5.
Catalog
Calculus-based mechanics and waves, then a short thermo/continuity close. 4 credits, 15 weeks, lecture + discussion + lab.
Prerequisites: high-school physics; Calculus I concurrent or complete.
Not this course: E&M, engineering statics/dynamics, full propulsion thermo, 3-D continuum aerodynamics.
Intent
A passing student uses derivatives and integrals on Newton, energy, momentum, and rotation; treats SHM and mechanical waves at intro depth; books energy on a heat-engine cycle; and applies one-dimensional steady mass conservation.
Four units
Each unit: one lab + one quiz.
Midterm after unit 2.
Final = 20% units 1–2, 80% units 3–4.
Units 3–4 require mastery of units 1–2.
| unit_id | Weeks | Content | Lab |
|---|---|---|---|
| U1 | 1–4 | Vectors; kinematics with calculus; Newton; FBDs; friction; UCM. Optional four-forces-of-flight FBD as a Newton example only. | Kinematics or force vs model |
| U2 | 5–8 | Work, power, energy, momentum, collisions | Energy or collision |
| U3 | 9–12 | Rotation, τ=Iα, angular momentum, SHM, mechanical waves | Rotation or standing wave |
| U4 | 13–15 | Ideal gas, first law, heat engine, second-law limit, 1-D continuity ρAV=const | Heat-engine / calorimetry |
Learning objectives
- LO-1 Describe 1D/2D motion with vectors and calculus (v = dx/dt, a = dv/dt) and apply Newton’s laws with correct free-body diagrams, including friction and uniform circular motion.
- LO-2 Apply work–energy and conservation of linear momentum, including 1D/simple 2D collisions; decide when energy methods are valid.
- LO-3 Apply rotation about a fixed axis (τ = Iα, rolling without slipping at intro level, angular momentum) and simple harmonic motion / mechanical waves at intro depth.
- LO-4 Use the first law as ΔU = Q − W (or a consistent sign convention), describe a heat engine on a p–V sketch, state what the second law forbids for a cyclic engine, compute efficiency of a simple engine cycle at intro level, and apply one-dimensional steady continuity ρ1 A1 V1 = ρ2 A2 V2 (and A1 V1 = A2 V2 when density is constant).
- LO-5 Report a measurement with a simple uncertainty and compare it to a model from that unit’s objective.
Grades
Quizzes 20% · Midterm 20% · Final 30% · Labs 20% · Discussion work 10%.
Status: ADOPTED