Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   Matter and Energy in Physics

 Title Abbreviation:   MATTER/ENERGY IN PHYSICS

 Department:    PHYS

 Course #:    111

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5.5

 CIP:    400801

 EPC:    n/a

 REV:    2018


 Course Description  

An inquiry-based survey of physics and chemistry designed to give a basic understanding of the relationship between mechanical, thermal and electromagnetic forces and energy. What is energy and what forms does it take? How is energy fundamental in explaining the dynamics of the earth and the universe? Lab included. This course is part of science sequence recommended for students pursuing a career in elementary education, but is open to all students. The suggested sequence is PHYS 111, BIOL 111, EASC 111.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: Appropriate placement or grade of 2.0 or higher in ENGL 099 and MATH 98.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 44

Lab: 22

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Academic Natural Sciences  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
N/A

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Appreciate that science is a universal language that transcends race, cultures, and geography.
  2. Experience different learning styles through group work in discussion and laboratory activities.
  3. Believe that scientific literacy is possible for any person.
  4. Develop hypotheses and design experiments to answer basic questions they have identified.
  5. Construct models explaining the components of systems and their interactions.
  6. Read and interpret scientific data presented graphically.
  7. Demonstrate understanding that sufficient data and multiple fundamental scientific theories are needed to explain complex systems and that these theories evolve.
  8. Understand the concepts of force and energy as they relate to the areas of mechanics, thermal energy and electromagnetism.
  9. Use the concept of energy as a powerful tool for looking at the relationships of systems and their changes over time.
  10. Understand how energy interactions and changes are fundamental in explaining the dynamics of living organisms, the earth and the universe.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.3 Identify, interpret, and evaluate pertinent data and previous experience to reach conclusions.
2.8 Describe how one’s own preconceptions, biases and values affect one’s response to new and ambiguous situations.

9. Scientific Literacy

Definition: Understanding scientific principles, and analyzing and applying scientific information in a variety of contexts.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
9.1 Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental scientific concepts.
9.2 Demonstrate their understanding of the principles of scientific methods, analysis, and reasoning.
9.3 Analyze, apply, and communicate scientific concepts and principles in context (for example, in technological, personal, and/or professional situations).

Course Contents

  1. MOTION: The motion and change in motion of a body can be described in terms of its mass, position, velocity and acceleration.
  2. FORCES: a) Forces act on masses and unbalanced forces will change the motion of the mass. b) There are four known forces in nature: gravity, electricity and magnetism (EM), weak nuclear forces and strong nuclear forces.
  3. NEWTON�S LAWS: Newton�s Laws of motion are used to describe and predict the results of most of the gravitational and EM force interactions.
  4. ENERGY and interactions with MATTER
    • Energy is the ability to do work. It can be related to forces and is a way to view interactions.
    • Energy is a powerful tool for looking at the relationships of systems and their changes over time.
    • Energy exists in many forms and can be transformed from one form to another, but never created nor destroyed.
    • Interactions cause energy transformations that result in changes over time in motion and the physical properties of materials
    • Energy interactions and the resultant changes over time are fundamental in understanding living organisms, the earth and the universe in its parts and as a whole.