Physics 116 - Introductory Physics I: Mechanics

This course will begin with a description of the motion of particles and introduce Newton’s dynamical laws and a number of important force laws. We will apply these laws to a wide range of problems to gain a better understanding of the laws and to demonstrate the generality of the framework. The important concepts of work, mechanical energy, and linear and angular momentum will be introduced and the unifying idea of conservation laws will be discussed. Additional topics may include, the study of mechanical waves, fluid mechanics and rotational dynamics. Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion and  three-hour laboratory per week. The lab component is a half credit course.

Requisite: MATH 111. Limited to 72 students. Fall semester: Professor Friedman and Professor Carter. Spring semester Professor: Hall and Professor Hanneke.

How to handle overenrollment: Preference will be given to students who are considering a major in Physics. After that, priority will be given by seniority.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: "quantitative work, lab work and working in groups".