2020-21 Academic Catalog

This course begins with an introduction to classical mechanics using the Newtonian worldview. The kinematics and dynamics of some simple systems are investigated using Newton's laws, vector analysis, and the conservation laws of momentum and energy. The course moves on to a study of the properties of fluids (both static and dynamic) and the principles of waves and wave motion (including both sound and light). Comfort with algebra and the integration and differentiation of elementary functions is assumed. Weekly laboratory work. Prerequisite: Mathematics 101 or 111. Not open to students who have completed Physics 131, 143, or 144 at Carleton.