Physics 2A Course Objectives

The student shall be able to:

1. Analyze physical problems in order to recognize the physical principles required to solve the problem, isolate and model the physical principles underlying each part of the problem, formulate the equations for each part,
combine and solve the system of equations for the problem, and analyze and explain the results of computations for a variety of physical situations.

2. Conceptually explain physical phenomena perhaps too difficult for realistic mathematical modeling at the introductory physics level.

3. Demonstrate the ability to construct simple mechanical systems,
make meaningful measurements using basic mechanical measuring devices,
manipulate the collected data using basic error theories, report the outcome of the experiment, and explain the results physically.

4. Demonstrate the ability to solve problems using Newton’s Laws of Motion,
momentum and impulse, work-energy theorem, conservation of energy, torque,
the laws of thermodynamics, hydrostatics, hydrodynamics, Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation, and simple harmonic motion.