PHY 1102: Mechanics I

Course Description

This course covers the fundamental ideas of mechanics in depth, with a focus on the forces and motion of objects under diverse situations. Vectors, one- and two-dimensional motion, Newton’s equations, equilibrium, torque, rotational motion, gravity, solid-fluid characteristics, and an introduction to oscillatory motion are among the topics covered. Students will apply these ideas to real-world systems, developing problem-solving abilities through theoretical analysis, experiments, and hands-on applications.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Describe and apply Newton’s laws of motion in linear and rotating systems.
2. Analyze rigid body dynamics and rotational equilibrium.
3. Apply gravitational concepts to understand planetary motion and satellite dynamics.
4. Perform the concept of fluid dynamics and its applications in engineering and nature.
5. Apply problem-solving techniques to integrate kinematics, forces, and energy in mechanical systems.

Required Materials

1. Serway, R. A., & Vuille, C. (2018). College Physics (11th ed.). Cengage Learning. ISBN: 9781337553292.
2. Halliday, D., Resnick, R., & Walker, J. (2018). Fundamentals of Physics (11th ed.). Wiley. ISBN: 9781119456339.

• Scientific calculator.
• Graph paper and ruler for plotting motion graphs.
• Access to lab equipment for demonstrations such as stopwatch, pendulum, spring-mass system, etc.