Introductory Physics I (3-4-4)
PHYS 2501

One and two dimensional motion of particles in gravitational and electric fields. Calculation of fields from the underlying force laws. Concepts of energy and potential. Laboratory studies of kinematics, dynamics, and field distributions.
 


The laboratory component is integrated with the lectures. For most lecture topics there is an experiment which illustrates the subject with a quantitative measurement. Extensive use will be made of computers for data recording and analysis. In selected cases, the computer is used to provide a simulation of a phenomenon which is not amenable to simple experimental study (e.g., gravitation and planetary orbits).

Text: At the level of Halliday, Resnick, and Walker, Fundamentals of Physics.