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Content for First Semester - 131 

 

131 Class homepage

 

(Files marked *** are not yet written.)

 

Outline of First Semester Content 

 

1. Introduction to the class

 

1.1 The disciplines: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Math *

 

1.2 Thinking about Thinking and Knowing

 

2. Modeling with mathematics

 

2.1 Using math in science

 

2.2 Mathematics Recap

 

Interlude 1: The Main Question: How do things move?

 

3 Kinematics: Where and When?

 

3.1 Where and When?

 

3.2 Kinematic Variables

 

 

4. Dynamics: Laws of Motion

 

4.1 Newton's Laws

 

4.2 Kinds of Forces

 

 

4.3 Coherent vs. random motion

 

5. Macro models of matter

 

5.1 Solids

 

5.2 Fluids

 

5.3 Heat and temperature

 

6. Energy: The Quantity of Motion

 

6.1 Kinetic energy and the work-energy theorem

 

6.2 Energy of place -- potential energy

 

6.3 The conservation of mechanical energy

 

6.4 An essential energy storage for life -- chemical energy ***

 

Interlude 2: The Micro to Macro Connection

 

7. Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

 

7.1 Kinetic theory: the ideal gas law

 

7.2 The 1st law of thermodynamics

 

7.3 The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics