Mzuzu University

Faculty of Science, Technology and Innovation

Department of Physics and Electronics

1. Programme : Bachelor of Science

2. Subject : Physics

3. Level of Study : 1

4. Course Title : General Physics I

5. Course Code : PHYS 1101

6. Duration : 16 Weeks

7. Presented to : Senate

8. Presented by : The Dean, FoSTI

9. Lecture Hours per Week : 3

10. Tutorial Hours per Week : 1

11. Practical Hours per Week : 3

12. Student Independent Learning Hours : 9

13. Total Course Credits : 13

14. Pre-Requisite Course Code(S):

15. Co-Requisite Course Code (S) : Math 1101

16 . Delivery Methods:

16.1 Mode of delivery : Face-to-face and ODeL

16.2 Teaching methods : Lectures, seminars, tutorials,
practical,
industrial attachment

17. Assessment Methods : Continuous Assessment-

assignments, exams, and laboratory
reports. End of semester
assessment- One 3-hour examination.

18. Assessment Weighting : Continuous Assessment - 40% Final

Examinations- 60%
19. Aim(s) of the Course
The aims of this course are to:
a. Develop students’ understanding of the fundamental concepts of Newtonian
mechanics, properties of matter and Vibrations and waves.
b. Prepare students for advanced studies in Physics and related disciplines.

20. Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

a. Demonstrate understanding of the concept of a frame of reference.

b. Explain basic laws in linear and rotational dynamics.
c. Develop understanding of how various laws and concepts in mechanics are
applied in solving problems.
d. Conduct experiments in mechanics.
e. Demonstrate understanding of the general concepts relating to the different states
of matter.
f. Define terminologies used in understanding vibrations and waves.
g. Explain the phenomena associated with vibrations and waves.
h. Carry out standard experiments in vibrations and waves.
21. Topics of Study:

1. Tools and skills

 Approaches to problem solving in physics

 read, sketch, visualize, strategize, identify equations, solve, check,

explore limits. (Further reading: Serway 9th ed. pages XXX to

XXXII

 Mathematical tools
 Trigonometry: degrees and radians, trigonometric functions and
the Pythagorean theorem, trigonometric identities.
 Algebra: the quadratic equation, simultaneous equations
 exponents and logarithms
 the scientific notation
Further reading on mathematical tools: James Walker (5th ed.), Appendix
A.
 Physical quantities and Measurements
 Physical Quantities and SI units
 Fundamental and Derived Physical Quantities
 Scalars and Vectors
 Dimensional Analysis
 Vectors
 Notation and unit vectors
 Properties: Negation, identity, commutativity, associativity,
distributivity
 Vector resolution
 Addition and subtraction
 Multiplication: scalar multiplication, dot/scalar product,
cross/vector product

2. Mechanics
 Rectilinear Motion
 Kinematics and equations of uniform motion
  Free fall motion
 2-D motion and Projectile motion
 1-D and 2-D relative motion

 Dynamics and Newton’s laws of motion

 Application of Newton’s laws of motion: 1 st, 2nd, 3rd and Newton’s

law of universal gravitation, uniform circular motion, banking,

connected bodies, inclined planes
 Work, energy and power
 Momentum, Impulse, 1-D and 2-D collisions
 Rotational kinematics: angular quantities, equations of uniform rotational
motion, relationships between linear and angular quantities
 Rotational dynamics: moments of inertia, rotational kinetic energy,
torque/moments of forces, centre of gravity/mass, static equilibrium,
rotational work and angular momentum
 Kepler’s laws of gravitation

3. Fluid Mechanics
 Hydrostatics
 Pressure in fluids at rest
 Pascal’s principle and applications
 Archimedes principle and law of floatation and applications
 Hydrodynamics
 Equation of continuity, Bernoulli’s equation, Poiseuille’s law and
applications

4. Mechanical properties of matter

 Elasticity
5. Vibrations and waves
 Simple harmonic motion
 Damped oscillations, forced oscillations, resonance and examples
 Travelling waves, superposition, standing waves
 Sound waves, sound intensity
 Doppler Effect and applications
22. Prescribed Texts: Serway R.A and Jewett J.W. (2014). Physics for scientists and
Engineers with Modern Physics (9th Edition) , New York: David Harris

23. Recommended Texts:

1. Walker, J.S. (2017). Physics (5th Edition). Boston: Pearson

2. Halliday & Resnick. (2011). (9th Edition) fundamentals of Physics, New York. John
Wiley and Sons
3. Duncane, T. (2005). Advanced Physics (5th Ed.). London: John Murry.
4. Muncaster, R. (1993). A-Level Physics (4th Ed.). England: Stanley Thornes.
5. Cutnell, J.D. & Johnson K.W. (2006). Essentials of Physics. New Jersey: John Wiley &
Sons, Inc
6. Breinthanpt, J.(1990). Understanding Physics for A-Level (3rd Ed.). Cheltenham: Stanley
Thornes.
7. Nolan, P. J. (1993). Fundamentals of College Physics. Iowa: Wm. C. Brown Publishers.
8. Cutnell, J.D. & Johnson K.W. (2009). Introduction to Physics. New Jersey: John Wiley
& Sons, Inc.