Syllabus

Physics aims to understand the natural world and universe around us, and how it works. In this course we will cover the foundational principals that are invaluable to any physicist. This includes classical mechanics, waves and optics, which specifically address how solid bodies, fluids and light travels and behaves. While this course addresses the more classical side of physics, it is the groundwork upon which more modern physics is based (quantum mechanics is nothing without an understanding of waves, and relativity cannot be attempted without a firm grasp of classical mechanics). By the end of the course students should be able to calculate if a roller-coaster is too extreme for passengers, how satellites stay in orbit, and why wind can destroy a bridge made of steel and concrete!

Details

Physics I (ID: 002599) takes place in the Fall semester, and twice a week. Lectures are in held in room E243 in the IAHE (Institute for Advancement of Higher Education) building from 10:30 - 12:00 (2nd period) Friday and 13:00 - 14:30 (3rd period) Tuesday.

If you wish to contact me my email address is: alex@oia.hokudai.ac.jp and I can be found in room 2-9-11 (Science Building 2, 9th floor, room 11).

Lecture slides

Lecture 1 [27/09] Part A (intro) and Part B (mathematics overview)

Lecture 2 [01/10] Motion in 1D and dimensional analysis

Lecture 3 [04/10] Motion in 2D and 3D
Homework due by 11/10

Lecture 4 [08/10] Newton's laws and circular motion

Lecture 5 [11/10] Types of forces
Homework due by 19/10

Lecture 6 [15/10] Work and energy

Lecture 7 [18/10] Conservation laws
Homework due by 29/10

Lecture 8 [29/10] Momentum and collisions

Lecture 9 [05/11] Rotational motion and oscillations
Homework due by 08/11

Lecture 10 [08/11] Wave motion

Lecture 11 [12/11] Fluid dynamics
Homework due by 15/11

Lecture 12 [15/11] Reflection and refraction

Lecture 13 [19/11] Mirrors and lenses
Homework: revision, and have a look at the PhET simulations found here.

Lecture 14 [22/11] Interference and diffraction
Homework: revise for exam!

Exam [26/11]

Resources:

Some additional documents:
The course syllabus.

Here are some websites you may find useful:
University events and holidays
HUSTEP calendar
Mastering Physics website, helpful if you have purchased the Essential University Physics book.