The first lecture of the year focuses on basic mathematical concepts as well as the differences between accuracy and precision.
Your first lecture in physics involves basics on mechanical waves, including properties, the differences between longitudinal and transverse, and standing waves.
The second lecture focused on surface waves, such as those in the ocean. Reflection, Refraction, Interference and Diffraction are all discussed.
The third lecture focused on sound waves, including the Doppler Effect and resonance.
The start of mechanics begins with one-dimensional kinematics. Concepts on motion, including distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration are discussed.
This lecture focuses on Vectors and Scalars, and the differences between the two. It also discusses equivalence, how to add and subtract them graphically, and how to resolve them into component vectors and vice-versa.
For those who cannot figure out where the PowerPoint is to perform the graphical analysis is under the Labs link, here it is.
Projectile motion involves the analysis of the motion of objects under the influence of gravity alone (if we ignore air resistance). This lecture focuses on the independence of motion in the vertical direction where the influence of gravity exists, and in the horizontal direction where acceleration is 0 m/s2. A second PowerPoint has been attached that you may use as a tutorial on projectile motion. There are numerous example problems worked out, including strategies.
If the notes from class are not enough for you to help you understand projectile motion, I have put together another PowerPoint presentation on them that will hopefully clear up any misunderstanding that you may have.
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This is a good applet on projectile motion. Try setting the the initial velocity at 20 m/s, the initial height at at 0 m, and the launch angle at 45 degrees. Notice how the component of velocity in the y-direction changes due to the affects of gravity while the component of velocity in the x-direction is constant showing that there is no acceleration. Also, notice how the acceleration is constant in the y-direction. Try different angles and notice how the range changes. Now give the projectile an initial height greater than zero and fire the projectile horizontally.
Isaac Newton contributed to our understanding of classical physics moreso than any other scientist before or since his time. He is most notably known for his three laws of motion. He is also known for the Universal Law of Gravitation that explains why planets orbit the Sun, and even why apples fall to the Earth. The next several lectures focus on Newton's three laws of motion, and how they help quantify the way that forces act on objects.
The following file is a tutorial on Newton's Second Law of Motion. It emphasizes the use of free-body diagrams and how to find a Net Force under various common scenarios.
The next lecture is for the Honors folks. It covers a special case of forces in equilibrium.
The next lecture is about uniform circular motion; i.e. objects moving at a constant speed in a circular path. Here, you will learn about centripetal acceleration and centripetal force, both of which are "CENTER" seeking. Although we are moving away from Newton's Laws of motion, you will see that we will keep coming back to them from now on; especially his second law.
As we move from Dynamics, we explore work and energy, and conservation of the latter. The following group of notes focus on these concepts and how they relate to the real world. We also investigate springs and elastic forms of energy.
Momentum is the last topic covered before we go into electricity and magnetism. This lecture discusses momentum and its derivation from Newton's Second Law, Impulse and its implication with regards to safety, and conservation of momentum.
Similar to kinematics with linear motion, we have a rotational equivalent. This lecture focuses on the motion of objects around a fixed axis. Concepts of angular displacement, velocity and acceleration are all presented and discussed. In addition, conversion from angular to linear and back are presented.
Akin to linear forces, we have rotational forces as well. This presentation discusses concepts involving torque.
We begin electricity off with electrostatics and Coulomb's Law. Electrostatics involves the interactions of charged objects with other charged objects as well as neutral objects. Concepts of charge, how it is transferred from one object to another as well as conservation of charge are discussed. Electric fields (a force field like that of a gravitational field we experience here on the surface of the Earth) are discussed as well as Eectrical Potential Energy and Electric Potential (Voltage).
From electrostatics, we move onto Current Electricity, which at its root, involves the flow of electrons. Concepts discussed include Conventional Current vs. Electron Flow, Ohm's Law, Resistivity, Power and Energy. Following a basic discussion on current electricity, we will delve into basic DC circuits, both series and parallel.
As has been requested, the presentation on Vectors, Scalars and their associated units. You may want to review these for your quizzes.
Magnetism is a relatively short unit. For Regents students we will touch upon magnetic fields and their interactions with objects, such as moving charges and conductors. The principle of electromagnetic induction, the basis for most power generation, will be covered as well as other topics within magnetism, including Lenz's Law.
AP2 Students: The following lectures cover material that is not part of the Regents curriculum. They include Thermodynamics and Fluid Dynamics. Geometric optics will also be added later.
As we transition from magnetism into light and modern physics, you will learn that light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, which consists of both electric and magnetic fields changing with time. We will also explore many concepts already discussed through mechanical waves, but from the perspective of light, such as reflection, refraction, diffraction and interference. Mirrors and lenses will also be discussed.
The last unit of the year is Modern Physics. It is an introduction into a branch of physics that was born in the early 1900's, quantum physics. The unit starts with wave-particle duality of light. It then moves onto the Bohr model of the atom and how electrons change states within an atom. Lastly, we will delve into the menagerie of particles that comprise the Standard Model.
