Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

After completion of this course, students will

1) Apply knowledge of the properties of matter, thermodynamics, and atomic & nuclear physics to explain natural physical processes and related technological advances.
2) Use an understanding of elementary mathematics along with physical principles to effectively solve problems encountered in everyday life, further study in science, and in the professional world.
3) Design experiments and acquire data in order to explore physical principles, effectively communicate results, and critically evaluate related scientific studies.
4) Assess the contributions of physics to our evolving understanding of global change and sustainability while placing the development of physics in its historical and cultural context.

At the beginning of the course, the instructor will detail the methods used to evaluate student progress and the criteria for assigning a course grade. The methods may include one or more of the following tools: examinations, quizzes, homework assignments, laboratory reports, research papers, small group problem solving of questions arising from application of course concepts and concerns to actual experience, oral presentations, or maintenance of a personal lab manual.
The student will be evaluated on written tests covering both lecture and lab experiences, required lab reports, and on turned-in homework questions (verbal skills and reasoning in written format) and problems (quantitative in a few cases).
 

The instructor will be required to cover the goals and objectives listed in this Course Content Guide.  The Course Content Guides are developed by college-wide subject area faculty and approved by management.
COURSE CONTENT:
1.0 THE ATOMIC NATURE OF MATTER
The goal is to develop knowledge and understanding of the mechanical properties
of matter.
Objectives:
1.1 Explore the structure and nature of the atom
1.2 Develop the following concepts and solve problems involving them:

1. Discuss the location & role of each of the subatomic particles: the proton, neutron and electron
2. Distinguish between atoms and molecules
3. The elements and the Periodic Table
4. Distinguish between mixtures and pure substances
5. Describe the Bohr Model of Hydrogen
6. Explore the basic concepts of Quantum Mechanics

2.0 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
The goal is to develop knowledge and understanding of the mechanical properties of matter.
Objectives:
2.1 Define the states of matter: solids, liquids and gases
2.2 Develop and explore the following concepts related to solids:

1. Density
2. Elasticity and Hookes Law
3. Tension & compression

2.3 Develop and explore the following concepts related to liquids:

1. Pressure
2. Buoyancy & Archimedes’ Principle
3. Pressure in liquids & Pascal’s Principle
4. Surface Tension & Capillary Action

2.4 Develop and explore the following concepts related to gases:

1. The Atmosphere & Atmospheric Pressure
2. Barometers
3. Pressure-Volume relationships in gases: Boyle’s Law
4. Bernoulli’s Principle and “lift”

3.0 HEAT, TEMPERATURE AND THERMODYNAMICS
The goal is to develop knowledge of the thermal properties of matter, and
skills in problem solving using these concepts.
Objectives:
3.1 Understand the workings of various types of thermometers and the various temperature scales they employ.
3.2 Clarify the relationship of molecular motion to temperature.
3.4 Understand heat as energy
3.5 Distinguish between the concepts of heat and temperature
3.6 Define several heat units such as calories, kilocalories, British thermal units and to relate them to other energy units.
3.7 Discuss the specific heats of various materials.
3.8 Explain role of temperature in the expansion and contraction of various materials.
3.9 Study mechanisms of heat transfer: convection, conduction and radiation.
3.10 Discuss the various ways matter can change phase: condensation/evaporation, melting/freezing and sublimation
4.0 THERMODYNAMICS
The goal is to develop knowledge and skills in the laws of thermodynamics.
Objectives:
4.1 State the first Law of Thermodynamics and understand its implications.
4.2 Describe heat engines.
4.3 State the Second Law of Thermodynamics and understand its implications.
4.4 Develop an appreciation of the concepts of order, disorder and entropy.
5.0 NUCLEAR PHYSICS
The goal is to develop knowledge and skills in the laws of nuclear physics.
Objectives:
5.1 Describe radioactivity and its various forms: alpha, beta and gamma rays
5.2 Explore the atomic nucleus and introduce concept of isotopes.
5.3 Define radioactive decay and the half-life.
5.5 Introduce applications of nuclear physics such as Carbon Dating
5.6 Explain the effects of radiation on humans
5.7 Distinguish between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission
EACH WEEK, LABS WILL BE PRESENTED THAT CORRESPOND TO THE MATERIAL COVERED IN THE LECTURE SESSIONS.