Introduction to Physics

Prof. Dan Roth (Olympic College)

Table of contents

Copyrights

Preface to the 2nd Edition

Part I: Math

Chapter 1: Trigonometry

1.1 Trig functions

1.2 Inverse trig functions

1.3 The Pythagorean theorem

Chapter 2: Vectors

2.1 What is a vector?

2.2 Representation

2.3 Vector arithmetic and algebra

2.4 Vectors and trig

Part II: Physics

Chapter 3: Measurement and units

3.1 Measurement & Physically meaningful calculations

3.2 Significant figures

3.3 The SI system

3.4 Unit conversions

Chapter 4: Measuring motion

4.1 Position

4.2 Velocity

4.3 Position vs. time

4.4 Acceleration

Chapter 5: Rotational motion

5.1 Angular position, velocity, & acceleration

5.2 Connecting translation and rotation

Chapter 6: Energy

6.1 Conservation

6.2 Inertia

6.3 Kinetic energy

6.4 Potential energy

6.5 Problem Solving

6.6 “Waste”

6.7 Conservation of energy revisited

Chapter 7: Linear momentum

7.1 Linear Momentum

7.2 Collisions

7.3 Ballistic pendulum

7.4 Two-dimensional collisions

Chapter 8: Angular momentum

8.1 Angular momentum

8.2 Conservation of angular momentum

8.3 Collisions with rotating objects

Chapter 9: Force

9.1 Forces

9.2 Newton’s laws of motion

9.3 Types of forces we’ll use

9.4 Problem solving

9.5 Mechanical equilibrium

9.6 Inclined planes

9.7 Circular motion

9.8 Gravitation

Chapter 10: Work

10.1 Work

10.2 Work & Energy

Chapter 11: Torque

11.1 Torque

11.2 Newton’s laws, applied to rotation

11.3 Center of mass

11.4 Problem solving

11.5 Equilibrium revisited

Chapter 12: Kinematics

12.1 1D Kinematics

12.2 2D Kinematics & Projectiles

Part III: Appendices

Appendix A: Math review

A.1 Math is a way of writing language

A.2 Basic algebra

A.3 Solving quadratic equations

A.4 Solving systems of two equations

Other resources from Computational Class Notes

Trigonometry, by Mary Ann Kelso and Anwar Khader