Summaries of Each Chapter
Unit 1 - Vector Kinematics
Unit 1 first provides a review and slight extension of uniform motion concepts studied in Physics 2204. A graphical treatment of uniform motion pays special attention to the importance of direction. The second part of unit 1 deals with definitions and graphical treatment of uniformly accelerated motion, which leads into the third section: the use of the standard formulae for displacement, velocity, acceleration and time. These formulae are applied to one-dimensional motion, motion due to gravity, and two dimensional motion. The fourth section of unit 1 deals with relative motion. Unit 1 closes with a look at history, society and careers as these facets relate to the physics of the unit.
Unit 2 - Dynamics
While Unit 1 dealt with the "how" of motion, Unit 2 answers the question "why" objects move the way they do ( within certain limitations ). To accomplish this the following concepts/constructs are developed: net or unbalanced force, Newton’s Laws of Motion, forces in nature, impulse and momentum.
Unit 3 - Electrostatics
Unit 3 introduces the students to electrostatics. First the simple atomic model is presented and then the unit is developed to show this model supports our present concepts of: how an object may be charged, conservation of electric charge, electric force, Coulomb’s Law, electric fields, and electric potential. The unit closes with the STS ( science-technology-society ) connection.
Unit 4 - Current Electricity
This unit introduces the student to current electricity and circuits. An understanding of the concepts of current, voltage, resistance, and power allows for simple circuit analysis. Finally, the implications for historical study, and societal applications are considered.
Unit 5 - Magnetism, Electromagnetism and Electromagnetic Induction
In this final core unit the following topics are presented: an introduction to magnetism and to the different magnetic properties of materials, the behaviour of moving charges in a magnetic field, the creation of a magnetic field by movement of charge ( electromagnetism ), and making charge move by moving magnetic fields ( electromagnetic induction ). Some practical applications will be described and implications for the STS connection considered.
Unit 6 - The Physics of Astronomy
This is the elective unit. The topics include the early astronomers, the solar system, the night sky, theories of the universe and astronomical measurements. This unit could include a night session in which the students can observe the stars, constellations, moon and planets.