Physics

General Physics

Prerequisite: Mathematics 11 or high school calculus recommended

The basic concepts and laws of classical mechanics. Measurement and units, vectors, kinematics, Newton's laws of motion, work and energy, systems of particles, collisions, rotational kinematics, torque and angular momentum, rigid body statics and dynamics, simple harmonic motion, gravitation, and mechanics of solids and fluids. (Lab fee required.)

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General Physics II

Prerequisites: Physics 11, Mathematics 11
(Mathematics 12 strongly recommended.)

The basic concepts and laws of classical electricity and magnetism. Electrostatic and magnetostatic forces and fields. Gauss' law, electric circuits, Ampere's law, Faraday's law, electric and magnetic properties of matter, time-varying fields, Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves, and geometrical optics. (Lab fee required.)

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Energy — Man, Creation and Calories

The concept of energy treated from the broadest possible perspective. Emphasis on the four laws of thermodynamics and the four black-hole analogs. With this foundation the various thermodynamic aspects of energy are treated as they relate to a variety of areas.

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Descriptive Astronomy

The celestial sphere; apparent motion of the sun, moon and planets; light and telescopes; Planet Earth and the solar system; stellar spectra, the structure, properties and evolution of stars; black holes; galaxies; cosmology. No prior knowledge of science is assumed, and only high school algebra is prerequisite. (Lab fee required.)

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Survey of Physics for Non-Science Majors

A philosophic and conceptual examination of selected fundamental principles of physics. No prior knowledge of science is assumed, and only high school algebra is prerequisite. Some historical and biographical material is included.

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