PHSA 1050 - Physical Science

Credit Hours: 4.00

Apply the scientific process to a variety of physical situations.

Objectives:

1. Identify the laws, models, or theories that are applicable.
2. Describe the physical laws, models, and theories.
3. Analyze and apply the physical laws, models and theories.
4. Assess the testability of a hypothesis.
5. Develop research questions.
6. Develop appropriate physical hypotheses.
7. Identify dependent, independent, and constant variables.
8. Test valid hypotheses.
9. Analyze and interpret the success or failure of physical hypotheses.
10. Question observations.
11. Follow/Apply written lab instructions.
12. Peer Review Process.

Course Outcome:

Be familiar with the scientific usage of specialized, scientific vocabulary.

Objectives:

1. Define terminology.
2. Recall terminology.
3. Employ terminology.

Course Outcome:

Explore preconceptions concerning physical interactions, and develop conceptual changes to reflect basic physics concepts relating to the physical sciences.

Objectives:

1. Differentiate between intuitive expectations and established scientific principles through classroom discussion and laboratory exercises.
2. Through lab experiments, students will compare experimental results with preconceived notions.

Course Outcome:

Using the scientific method, take accurate data, organize and analyze experimental data

Objectives:

1. Collect data through experimentation and observation.
2. Utilize various measuring instruments to collect data.
3. Analyze (using mathematics) and interpret data to arrive at a conclusion.
4. Reproduce results that are commonly accepted.
5. Based upon current theoretical models make predictions about experimental outcomes.
6. Compare experimental conclusions to theoretical predictions.
7. Organize results and conclusions to communicate an understanding of mathematical and conceptual physics.

Course Outcome:

Gain a historical perspective of the development of science and scientific laws relating to the sciences.

Objectives:

1. Identify the historical laws, models, and theories.
2. Describe the historical laws, models, and theories.

• Communication: The graduate can communicate effectively for the intended purpose and audience.
• Critical Thinking: The graduate can make informed decisions after analyzing information or evidence related to the issue.
• Global Literacy: The graduate can analyze human behavior or experiences through cultural, social, political, or economic perspectives.
• Information Literacy: The graduate can responsibly use information gathered from a variety of formats in order to complete a task.
• Quantitative Reasoning: The graduate can apply quantitative methods or evidence to solve problems or make judgments.
• Scientific Literacy: The graduate can produce or interpret scientific information presented in a variety of formats.

1. Introduction to the Use of Computers
   1. Graphing
   2. Current Macomb Community College LMS
   3. Other (Simulations, videos, google searches, etc…)
2. Measurement
   1. Terminology: Measurement, density, deci, centi, milli, kilo, gram, liter, meter, time, average, error, percent error, meniscus, volume, mass, temperature, metric system
   2. Measurement Rule
   3. Unit conversions (metric to English and vice versa)
   4. Measure mass, volume, weight, temperature, time, length, etc… . using various instruments
   5. Calculate derived quantities
   6. Calculate average, error, and percent error.
3. Experimental Models
   1. Terminology: Observation, law, hypothesis, theory, scientific method, research question, independent variable, dependent variable, constants, period, mass, amplitude, vibration, oscillation, pendulum, prediction
   2. Pendulum
   3. Graphing and analysis
4. The Structure Of Matter
   1. Terminology: Acid, atomic number, atomic weight, atoms, base, compounds, covalent bond, dissociation, electrolyte, electrons, elements, gas, groups, heterogeneous, homogeneous, indicator, inorganic, ion, ionic bond, isotopes, liquid, litmus, matter, mixtures, molecules, neutrons, non-pure substance, organic, period, phenolphthalein, pHydrion, protons, pure substance, shells or orbits, solid
   2. Atomic Theory
   3. Periodic Table
   4. Covalent and ionic bonds
   5. Elements and molecules
   6. States of Matter
   7. Properties of metals and non-metals
   8. Law of Definite Proportions
   9. Acids and Bases
   10. Graphing and Analysis
5. Motion
   1. Terminology: Speed, velocity, acceleration, mass, constant, acceleration, time, linear motion, momentum, impact, inertia, kinetic energy, impulse
   2. Speed
   3. Acceleration
   4. Momentum
   5. Kinetic Energy
   6. Graphing and Analysis
6. Forces and Simple Machines
   1. Terminology: Actual Mechanical Advantage, Effort, Ideal Mechanical Advantage, lever, inclined plane, pulley, wedge, screw, wheel and axle, resistance, effort, fulcrum, Ideal Effort, Actual Effort, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Force, Newton, weight
   2. Forces
   3. Newton’s Three Laws of Motion
   4. Simple Machines
   5. Mechanical Advantage
   6. Graphing and Analysis
7. Energy
   1. Terminology: Acceleration, chemical, electrical, energy, energy conversion, force, heat, horsepower, joule, kinetic energy, light, mechanical, nuclear, potential energy, power, sound, speed, watt, work
   2. Forms of Energy
   3. Energy Conversions
   4. Work - Energy Theorem
   5. Conservation of Energy
   6. Work for Simple Machines
   7. Power
   8. Graphing and Analysis
8. Heat
   1. Terminology: Calorimeter, specific heat capacity, temperature, mass, heat, calorie, equilibrium, Conservation of Energy, Kelvin, Fahrenheit, thermal expansion, thermal transfer, conduction, convection, radiation
   2. Temperature and Kinetic Energy
   3. Temperature Scales and Absolute Zero
   4. Calorimetry
   5. Conservation of energy
   6. Graphing and Analysis
9. Sound
   1. Terminology: Sound, longitudinal waves, vibration, amplitude, wavelength, period, frequency, loudness, intensity, wave form, wavelength, tone, decibel, resonance, interference, Doppler effect, pitch, beats
   2. Sound Models
   3. Inverse Square Law
   4. Temperature dependence of speed of sound
   5. Frequency, Wavelength, Amplitude, speed
   6. Reflecting surfaces
   7. Graphing and analysis
10. Electricity
    1. Terminology: Ohm, ampere, volt, direct current, fuse, alternating current, static electricity, nonconductors, insulators, conductors, current electricity
    2. Electrostatics
    3. Parallel and series circuits
    4. Ohm’s Law
    5. Power
    6. Analysis
11. Magnetism
    1. Terminology: Magnet, magnetism, insulators, conductors, commutator, magnetic field, north pole, south pole, ferromagnetic, dipoles, domains, magnetic field, magnetic declination, inverse square law, electromagnet, generator, armature, hertz, frequency
    2. Magnetic and Non Magnetic materials
    3. Motors and Generators
    4. Magnetic Fields
    5. Inverse Square Law (special case)
    6. Graphing and Analysis
12. Light
    1. Terminology: Radiant energy, electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic radiation, light, optical medium, refraction, transparent, translucent, opaque, convex lens, principal focus, concave lens, focal lengths, reflection, diffusion.
    2. Electromagnetic spectrum
    3. Law of Reflection
    4. Laws of Refraction
    5. Inverse Square Law
    6. Graphing and Analysis
13. Color
    1. Terminology: color addition, color subtraction, complementary colors, constructive and destructive interference, cyan, diffraction grating, light, magenta, primary colors of light, prism, secondary colors of light, spectroscope, spectrum
    2. Spectrums
    3. Color Addition
    4. Color Subtraction
    5. Analysis