PHYS 50 Introduction to Physics Advanced Level

School of Academic Upgrading and Development

PHYS 50 Introduction to Physics - Advanced Level introduces students to physics as a study of the fundamental laws of nature. Students will study measurement, kinematics, dynamics, electricity, heat, waves and optics. This course aims to foster and develop a scientific way of thinking and a basic knowledge of scientific ideas. This course prepares the student for further studies in physics and provides groundwork for further academic or career training.

Notes:

See the ABE Articulation Handbook 2018/19 Edition at https://www.bctransferguide.ca/transfer-options/adult-basic-education/past-abe-guides/

Accessibility Services Notice

Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.

Transfer Agreements

Course to Course transfer – YesBlock Transfer – Nobctransferguide.ca

Course Details
Total number of weeks	15
Total Credits
Total Hours	128

Typical hours per week breakdown
Lecture	4
Lab (lab, field, computer)	4.5

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

Measurement a. solve problems involving SI units b. maintain the correct number of significant numbers in calculations c. use uncertainties in measurements
Kinematics a. use the language and concepts of kinematics to describe motion b. solve and analyze kinematics in one dimension c. construct and interpret displacement versus time curves d. construct and interpret velocity versus time graphs e. solve problems involving uniform acceleration
Dynamics a. use the language and concepts of dynamics to describe forces and energy b. analyze and solve dynamics in one dimension using free body diagrams c. apply Newton’s laws of motion in one dimension d. solve problems involving: i. friction forces ii. gravity forces including Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation e. analyze and solve problems in kinetic and potential energy f. analyze and solve problems in energy conservation g. solve problems involving work and power h. solve problems involving impulse and conservation of momentum in one dimension
Electricity a. use the language and concepts of electricity to describe electrical phenomena b. analyze and solve problems involving Coulomb’s law c. analyze and solve problems involving Ohm’s law d. define and distinguish between electric potential difference, resistance and current e. solve simple D.C. resistance problems involving series, parallel and combination circuits
Heat a. use the language and concepts of thermodynamics to describe the transfer of heat energy b. define and distinguish between temperature, heat energy and specific heat capacity c. analyze and solve problems in heat energy d. demonstrate an understanding of the different mechanisms of heat transfer
Waves and Optics a. Use the language and concepts of physics to describe wave phenomena b. Define and distinguish between amplitude, wavelength, frequency, wave speed and period c. Analyze and solve problems involving wave phenomena – refraction, reflection, total internal reflection d. Describe various wave phenomena and the conditions which produce them e. Solve problems involving lens equation and mirror equation f. Construct ray diagrams for mirrors and lenses
Laboratory Skills There will be one laboratory from each topic and a minimum of seven laboratories. Laboratory skills must include: a. Collecting data through observation i. Record a measurement to the appropriate level of precision ii. Recognize that all measured values have an uncertainty b. Constructing Graphs i. Choose appropriate scales ii. Determine line of best fit iii. Label correctly c. Drawing Conclusions from observations and data i. Identify and discuss sources of error ii. Calculate and interpret the slope of a line iii. Relate conclusion to objectives d. Calculating Experimental Error i. Determine % error and % difference where appropriate
Completing formal lab reports

Teaching and Learning Approach

Upgrading courses at Selkirk College build upon students’ life, education, and cultural experiences to develop subject-specific knowledge, awareness, practical skills, and study skills. The learning outcomes listed in this outline form the foundation of the course, and how thoroughly a student meets these outcomes determines their success. Course content integrates problem solving and critical thinking, while developing effective communication skills for the discipline and level. This course further enables students to meet all program outcomes for Academic Upgrading.

Learning Resources

No textbook required

Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered

1. U1 – MATH IN PHYSICS Tutorial 1: Sig Figs and Scientific Notation 2. U1 – Tutorial 2: Sig Figs in Calcs, Metric System U1 – Tutorial 3 – Solving Formulas, Graphing 3. U1 – Lab (In Person) U2 – KINEMATICS - Tutorial 1: Scalar and Vector Quantities 4. U2 – Tutorial 2 – Kinematic Equations U2 – Tutorial 3 – Projectile Motion 5. U2 – Tutorial 4 – Motion Graphs U2 – Lab (In-person or Sim) 6. U3 – DYNAMICS - Tutorial 1 – Newton's 1st Law U3 – Tutorial 2 – Newton’s 2nd Law 7. U3 – Tutorial 3 – Newton's 3rd Law U3 – Lab (In-person or sim) 8. U4 – Momentum and Impulse 9. U5 – WORK, POWER, AND ENERGY U5 Lab (In person or home) 10. U6 – HEAT U6 – Lab (In person or video) 11. U7 – ELECTRICITY - Tutorial 1 – Electrostatics and Coulomb’s Law U7 – Tutorial 2 – Ohm’s Law 12. U7 – Tutorial 3 – Series and Parallel Circuits U7 – Tutorial 4 – Combination Circuits 13. U7 – Lab (Virtual) U8 – WAVES - Tutorial 1 – Intro to Waves 14. U8 – Tutorial 2 – Light Waves U8 – Lab (In Person or Simulation) 15. Final Exam Review 16. Final Exam Week

Assessment

Title	Learning Outcomes	Value
Assignments		10%
Labs		25%
Chapter Tests		35%
Midterm Exam		15%
Final Exam		15%
Total		100%

Grading Table

Standard Academic Upgrading Grading Table

Percentage	Letter Grade
90-100	A+
85-89	A
80-84	A-
76-79	B+
72-75	B
68-71	B-
64-67	C+
60-63	C
55-59	C-
50-54	P
Non-completion or unsatisfactory performance	NCG No Credit Granted

See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.

Disclaimer

Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.