NSC 111: Integrated Laboratory Sciences (Physics/Earth/Space)
Topics and order: Spring 2000-2001

Week

Topic

Lab

Text correlation

1   1/8

Nature of Science: processes and nomenclature.  What does it mean to know?  What does it mean to explain? Finding patterns: Chemical elements and compounds - laws of chemical composition - periodic properties - simple chemical formulas and "equations"  - Using Kinetic Molecular theory

Orientation and view video:  "How to catch a Bucky Ball"

Chapter 15 

Chapter 16, sections 1 - 3

Chapter 19, sec 1-3

2  1/15

More patterns - bigger context: Plate Tectonics - theory of continental drift/plate tectonics

Kepler's Laws: Copernican system vs Ptolemaic systems and the motion/apparent motion of planets and stars

Earth, Sun, Shadows & Where are We?

Chapter 23

Chapter 28

3  1/22

Measurement: position, time, mass, temperature.     Precision and accuracy - terminology and process

Gravity as a driving force - motion of the planets, artificial satellites, free-fall, convection, floating ships and Pepsi "lite", hot air balloons.  Newton's synthesis - "universal gravitation"

Density of regular and irregular solids

- rock/mineral samples

Chapter 4

Chapter 5, sec 1,3 – 5, 8

4  1/29

Rates of change with respect to time: velocity, acceleration – free-fall measured.  Frames of reference - prep for Newton's Laws

Uniform motion and accelerated motion

Chapter 1

5  2/5

Newton's Laws of Motion.  Introduction to work and energy        

              EXAM:  2/6 – Tuesday 7:30 p.m.

Newton's Laws and conservation of energy

Chapter 2

Chapter 3, sections 4 to end of cpt

6  2/12

Heat and Calorimetry: definition, conduction, convection, phase changes

Chemical Bond Energy and heats of chemical reactions

Calorimetry

Chapter 3, sec 4 to end of cpt   Chapter 6, Chapter 7, sec 1,2,4,5

Chapter 19, section 2

7  2/19

Work, Power, MEH

The Human Machine & efficiency – video: Ring of Truth - "Change" - Tour de France

Mechanical Equivalent of Heat

As for previous week

8  2/26

Electricity: static, electric fields, current, Ohm's Law     Residential wiring and safety – GFCIs

Electric generators and electric motors

Ohm's Law

Chapter 8

Chapter 9, sec 4-8

9  3/12

Mechanical Waves: water, earthquake - velocity of prop, refraction, reflection

EXAM:  3/13 – Tuesday 7:30 p.m.

Mechanical waves

Chapter 10

Chapter 23, section 1

10 3/19

Sound and Light - levels, frequency response, frequency patterns, interference, diffraction, Doppler Effect, polarization

Microwaves and visible

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

11 3/26

Maxwell's prediction of electromagnetic radiation - speed of propagation

 Modern Physics - Intro to the Quantum

Interaction of matter and energy - Planck, Einstein, Bohr - Electronic structure of the atom

Atomic spectra - regions and flame tests

Chapter 13

12  4/2

Nuclear Structure - processes - energy:  mass defect - curve of binding energy - half-life, radiometric dating, nuclear power, nuclear weapons - control and proliferation

EXAM: 4/3 – Tuesday 7:30 p.m.

Half-life &  relative penetration of 3 types of ionizing radiation

Chapter 14

13  4/9

Catch-up

The stars and cosmology

Makeup Lab

Chapter 29

14 4/16-24

Cosmology and Relativity

 

Group presentation and discussion of selected questions from exercises

Chapters  29, 30

 

Comprehensive FINAL EXAM: 5/1 – (yes, this is Tuesday, “study day”,)  2 – 4:00 p.m.