This introductory, algebra-based, two-semester college physics book is grounded with real-world examples, illustrations, and explanations to help students grasp key, fundamental physics concepts. This online, fully editable and customizable title includes learning objectives, concept questions, links to labs and simulations, and ample practice opportunities to solve traditional physics application problems.
Material Type: Textbook
As a prerequisite to study this module, you need a background of high school physics; basic concepts of differential and integral calculus and vector methods. It might be a good idea to refersh your knowledge, if you feel that your knowledge of calculus and vector methods is inadquate then you need to consult any Mathematics book on calculus and vector analysis. However, you don’t have to despair as most of the content will be treated very simply that you may have no problem in following.
Material Type: Module
Students gather data by timing runners over 5 m intervals. Using that data, students graph distance and velocity over time.
Material Type: Data Set
This is a laboratory manual used to support a college-level general science course covering sound, audio and acoustics. Lab exercises include the speed of sound, harmonic motion, tensioned strings, resonant pipes, etc.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Textbook
In this activity, students are presented with two objects that have different constant speeds and that will race each other. The students must determine which object will win the race, as well as either how much time elapses between the objects crossing the finish line.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Simulation
In this activity, students use a microcomputer connected to a light sensor and temperature probe to explore the reflection and absorption of radiation for different surfaces. Students follow instructions in this guided inquiry based lab and are then asked to design an experiment of their own to either test the reflectivity of sand, soils, water and other materials or to investigate the effect of different surface textures on reflectivity. On this Starting Point page, users can access information about the exercise's learning goals, context for use, teaching notes and tips, teaching materials, assessment ideas, references and topics covered.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Data Set, Reading
Students use a microphone and Vernier LabQuest to record the sound of a finger-snap echo in a 1-2 meter cardboard tube. Students measure the time for the echo to return to the microphone, and measure the length of the tube. Using their measurements, students determine the speed of sound. While other authors have produced similar labs, this version includes uncertainty analysis consistent with effective measurement technique as presented in the module Measurement and Uncertainty.
Material Type: Activity/Lab
This is a “minimalist” textbook for a first semester of university, calculus-based physics, covering classical mechanics (including one chapter on mechanical waves, but excluding fluids), plus a brief introduction to thermodynamics. The presentation owes much to Mazur’s The Principles and Practice of Physics: conservation laws, momentum and energy, are introduced before forces, and one-dimensional setups are thoroughly explored before two-dimensional systems are considered. It contains both problems and worked-out examples. About the Book This is a “minimalist” textbook for a first semester of university, calculus-based physics, covering classical mechanics (including one chapter on mechanical waves, but excluding fluids), plus a brief introduction to thermodynamics. The presentation owes much to Mazur’s The Principles and Practice of Physics: conservation laws, momentum and energy, are introduced before forces, and one-dimensional setups are thoroughly explored before two-dimensional systems are considered. It contains both problems and worked-out examples. About the Contributors Author Julio Gea-Banacloche, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Material Type: Textbook
