This text includes 25 reading assignments for an introductory astronomy course. They …
This text includes 25 reading assignments for an introductory astronomy course. They have been modified from the OpenStax Astronomy 2e and College Physics 2e (linked in related resources below) textbooks to order the topics in a logical manner for a one semester course and provide shortened (~10-20 pages) readings intended for biweekly reading assignments. The text also features enhanced treatment of the Newton's Laws, Energy, and Optics content that go beyond the typical introductory astronomy course for non-majors.
Course connections: This content was built for an introductory survey of astronomy course (e.g., PHYS 103), including apparent motions of objects in the sky, light, telescopes, solar system objects, exoplanets, the sun, stars, galaxies, and cosmology. Basic math skills (arithmetic, powers, scientific notation, unit conversions) will be used frequently. This course is designed for students in all majors.
In this video lesson, the concept of momentum applied to hard-body collisions …
In this video lesson, the concept of momentum applied to hard-body collisions is explained using a number of simple demonstrations, all of which can be repeated in the classroom. Understanding Newton's Laws is fundamental to all of physics, and this lesson introduces the vital concepts of momentum and energy, and their conservation. Only some preliminary ideas of algebra are used here, and all the concepts presented can be found in any high-school level physics book. In terms of materials required, getting hold of large steel balls may not be easy, but large ball bearings can be procured easily. On the basis of what students have learned in the video, teachers can easily generate a large number of questions that relate to one's daily experiences, or which pose new challenges: for example, in a collision between a heavy and light vehicle, why do those inside the lighter one suffer less injury?
This is a quiz designed to accompany the online simulation "Collision Lab," …
This is a quiz designed to accompany the online simulation "Collision Lab," which is part of the PhET Interactive Simulations of the University of Colorado Boulder. The quiz was designed for Canvas. Each question includes instructions for an action the student is to complete in the online simulation, followed by a multiple choice question.
This class is an introduction to classical mechanics for students who are …
This class is an introduction to classical mechanics for students who are comfortable with calculus. The main topics are: Vectors, Kinematics, Forces, Motion, Momentum, Energy, Angular Motion, Angular Momentum, Gravity, Planetary Motion, Moving Frames, and the Motion of Rigid Bodies.
Physics I is a first-year physics course which introduces students to classical …
Physics I is a first-year physics course which introduces students to classical mechanics. This course has a hands-on focus, and approaches mechanics through take-home experiments. Topics include: kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, universal gravitation, statics, conservation laws, energy, work, momentum, and special relativity.
These lecture videos were made from home during the pandemic when most …
These lecture videos were made from home during the pandemic when most classes went online. They cover most of Physics-1 (mechanics), and a few chapters of physics-2. Subject: Physics Level: Community CollegeMaterial Type: LectureAuthor: Khalid BukhariDate Added: 09/17/2023
The objective of this lesson is to illustrate how a common everyday …
The objective of this lesson is to illustrate how a common everyday experience (such as playing pool) can often provide a learning moment. In the example chosen, we use the game of pool to help explain some key concepts of physics. One of these concepts is the conservation of linear momentum since conservation laws play an extremely important role in many aspects of physics. The idea that a certain property of a system is maintained before and after something happens is quite central to many principles in physics and in the pool example, we concentrate on the conservation of linear momentum. The latter half of the video looks at angular momentum and friction, examining why certain objects roll, as opposed to slide. We do this by looking at how striking a ball with a cue stick at different locations produces different effects.
On the topic of energy related to motion, this summary lesson is …
On the topic of energy related to motion, this summary lesson is intended to tie together the concepts introduced in the previous four lessons and show how the concepts are interconnected in everyday applications. A hands-on activity demonstrates this idea and reinforces students' math skills in calculating energy, momentum and frictional forces.
In this hands-on activity rolling a ball down an incline and having …
In this hands-on activity rolling a ball down an incline and having it collide into a cup the concepts of mechanical energy, work and power, momentum, and friction are all demonstrated. During the activity, students take measurements and use equations that describe these energy of motion concepts to calculate unknown variables, and review the relationships between these concepts.
In this hands-on activity rolling a ball down an incline and having …
In this hands-on activity rolling a ball down an incline and having it collide into a cup the concepts of mechanical energy, work and power, momentum, and friction are all demonstrated. During the activity, students take measurements and use equations that describe these energy of motion concepts to calculate unknown variables and review the relationships between these concepts.
Use this hands-on activity to demonstrate rotational inertia, rotational speed, angular momentum, …
Use this hands-on activity to demonstrate rotational inertia, rotational speed, angular momentum, and velocity. Students build at least two simple spinners to conduct experiments with different mass distributions and shapes, as they strive to design and build the spinner that spins the longest.
These lecture videos were made during the pandemic when most classes went …
These lecture videos were made during the pandemic when most classes went online. They cover most of Physics-1, and a few chapters of physics-2. Subject: Physics Level: Community CollegeMaterial Type: LectureAuthor: Khalid BukhariDate Added: 2/19/2024
What makes rockets fly straight? What makes rockets fly far? Why use …
What makes rockets fly straight? What makes rockets fly far? Why use water to make the rocket fly? Students are challenged to design and build rockets from two-liter plastic soda bottles that travel as far and straight as possible or stay aloft as long as possible. Guided by the steps of the engineering design process, students first watch a video that shows rocket launch failures and then participate in three teacher-led mini-activities with demos to explore key rocket design concepts: center of drag, center of mass, and momentum and impulse. Then the class tests four combinations of propellants (air, water) and center of mass (weight added fore or aft) to see how these variables affect rocket distance and hang time. From what they learn, student pairs create their own rockets from plastic bottles with cardboard fins and their choices of propellant and center of mass placement, which they test and refine before a culminating engineering field day competition. Teams design for maximum distance or hang time; adding a parachute is optional. Students learn that engineering failures during design and testing are just steps along the way to success.
Mike Rettberg demonstrates Newton's Laws to his 8th grade science class by …
Mike Rettberg demonstrates Newton's Laws to his 8th grade science class by rolling a cart containing an egg into a barrier and crashing it. In the process, students learn difficult terms that are reinforced by their discussion of which Laws they are seeing in action.
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