University of the Philippines - Visayas

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Physics 71
Course Guide

Course Number: Physics 71

Course Title: Elementary Physics I
Course Description: Mechanics of particles, rigid bodies, and fluids
Course Goal: The course aims to develop the students’ physical intuition and ability to
systematically solve a wide variety of problems on mechanics, fluids and wave motion using
Newton’s Laws and Conservation Principles.

Course Outcomes: Upon completion of the course: the students will:

1. Demonstrate a rigorous understanding of fundamental theories and principles of physics
which includes mechanics of particles and rigid bodies;
2. Apply critical reasoning ability to synthesize appropriate theoretical concepts and
mathematical methods to model and solve a broad range of physical problems;
3. Analyze technology and physical phenomena in terms of underlying theoretical and
applied physics principles;
4. Design investigations of the real-world, especially timely and relevant concerns in their
respective fields, based on the fundamental physical postulates, laws and principles; and
5. Recognize physics concepts applied in everyday life and their importance and value in a
growing society.

Course Outline: The following topics will be covered in this course:

1. Measurement and Motion

1.1. Nature of Science and Physics
1.2. Physical Quantities and SI Units
1.3. Vectors
1.4. Vector Addition
1.5. Vector Multiplication
1.6. Position, Displacement, Speed, and Velocity
1.7. Acceleration
1.8. Free Fall and Projectile Motion
2. Forces
2.1. Definition of Forces
2.2. Second Law and First Law of Motion
2.3. Analyzing Systems of Forces
2.4. Mass, Weight, and Normal Force
2.5. Friction and Drag
2.6. Third Law of Motion
2.7. Tension and Elastic Force
 2.8. Circular Motion
3. Energy and Momentum
3.1. Work and Kinetic Energy
3.2. Potential Energy
3.3. Conservation of Energy
3.4. Momentum and Impulse
3.5. Conservation of Momentum
4. Rotation, Equilibrium, and Elasticity
4.1. Rotational Motion
4.2. Rotational Inertia and Rotational Energy
4.3. Torque
4.4. Angular Momentum
4.5. Equilibrium
4.6. Elasticity

Course Requirements: The course requirements shall include the following:

Online quizzes: 30%

Conceptual questions: 40%
Problem sets: 60%

All of these have their own deadlines and you will be given ample time to answer them
asynchronously, in order to account for circumstances out of your control.

On the question of mathematical expertise needed: As Physics 71 is calculus-based, the

student should be able to understand mathematical arguments that rely on basic understanding of
calculus. By experience, however, only up to a basic level of calculus is needed to grasp and
solve most of the advanced problems fit for this course. Most of the time, algebra and
trigonometry is enough, as a careful and sometimes creative analysis is what it takes to attack a
problem.

References: Almost any university-level general physics textbook will suffice, as it covers all
the topics listed here while using a calculus-based approach. One textbook is the University
Physics, a three-volume set hosted in OpenStax. For our course, only the Volume 1 is needed.
You can click the following link to access it:

University Physics Volume 1

The following were also consulted in creating the content for this course:

Halliday, Resnick, and Walker. (2014) Fundamentals of physics, 10th ed. extended.
Knight. (2017) Physics for scientists and engineers: a strategic approach. 4th ed.
Serway and Jewett. (2014) Physics for scientists and engineers with modern physics, 9th ed.
Shankar. (2014) Fundamentals of physics: mechanics, relativity, and thermodynamics.
Tipler and Mosca. (2008) Physics for scientists and engineers, 6th ed.
Young and Freedman. (2012) University physics with modern physics, 13th ed.