Overview

This course is the first semester of the calculus-based Principles of Physics sequence. It is designed for students majoring in physics, engineering, chemistry, and mathematics. It centers on mechanics, the study of forces and motion as described through Newton's three laws of motion and the concept of energy.

This area of study is the foundation upon which nearly all science and technology is built. We use Newton's laws to design cars, airplanes, bridges, etc. Understanding the relationship between electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, and all other areas of physics (and technology) depends on a firm understanding of the topics presented in this course.

Somewhere, on a dark and stormy night, a driver slams on his brakes to avoid a fallen tree. The road is slippery, and the car goes into a skid. Luckily, the driver avoids serious injury, but they will never forget the experience. You can look at that experience and others like it in three different ways. It can be viewed in terms of:

1. The detailed conversational description of the physical situation: the wheels locked and sliding on a slippery surface
2. The "seat of the pants" sensation of forces acting on the driver
3. The basic laws of physics

Physics 121 is not just a course about equations. It is about training your mind to combine intuition and experience with mathematics to understand the fundamental laws of nature. The goal is to combine what your body understands about acceleration, force, etc., with these other two descriptions of the same phenomenon. Interpreting graphs will help form a bridge between what your body "knows" and what your mind can tell you.

Higher levels of thinking involve developing equations based on the laws of physics. Using these equations allows you to make quantitative predictions. Once you obtain a bridge between what you know by experience and what the graphs and mathematics say, then you understand physics. If you neglect any of these three realities, then that learned here will not produce fundamental and lasting changes in your thought processes. In summary: Why should you take this course? Because it will change the way you think!

What You Should Already Know

1. Algebra

   Do you feel comfortable solving an equation for an unknown?

2. Trigonometry

   Do you know what sin θ, cos θ, and tan θ mean?

3. Calculus

   Do you know what the terms derivative and integral mean?

   Can you take derivatives of y = xn, where n = 1, 2, 3, etc.

   Can you take a derivative of y = sinkx or y = coskx?

   Can you perform an integral of xn dx?

   If not, you should learn these skills before proceeding.

Requirements

Prerequisites

With the successful completion of course requirements, the student will be able to do the following:

1. Explain the following fundamental principles of physics: Newton's Law of motion, conservation of mechanical energy, conservation of momentum, and conservation of angular momentum.
2. Apply the principles of Newton's Law of motion, conservation of mechanical energy, conservation of momentum, and conservation of angular momentum mathematically (including calculus) to solve problems.

Major Assignments

The table below is meant to help you see the relevance of each major assignment as it pertains to the course outcomes (CO).

Major Assignment	Description	CO#
W04 Exam 1	Answer exam questions and show your explanations/work on your copy of the exam document. Weeks 01-04	1.2
W09 Exam 2	Answer exam questions and show your explanations/work on your copy of the exam document. Weeks 05-09	1.2
W14 Exam 3	Answer exam questions and show your explanations/work on your copy of the exam document. Weeks 10-14	1.2

Weekly Patterns

The table below displays typical weekly activities, due dates, and activity descriptions. 

Due Date*	Learning Model	Activity Title	Description
Midweek	Teach One Another	Discussion	Meet with your group to complete the form of the week's topic.
Midweek	Teach One Another	Group Exercise	Submit answers and work/explanations for questions on the topic of the week
Midweek	Ponder/Prove	Quiz/Exercise	Complete this week's exercises and submit the answers in a quiz.
Midweek	Ponder/Prove	Assignment	Submit a copy of your work/explanations for this week's exercises.

*Set your time zone within user preferences so the dates and times for course activities will display correctly for your time zone.

Learning Model

The course follows a weekly cycle of Prepare, Teach One Another, and Ponder and Prove activities.

You will prepare for each week by reading the textbook, reviewing sample exercises, and answering practice problems using the calculations learned.

You will teach one another as you work in groups to perform simulations and complete group exercises. You will also attend online class meetings with your instructor or watch the recording of the meeting.

You will ponder and prove what you learn each week by completing individual exercises and taking three exams.

Due Dates

Due dates are visible in the Course Summary at the bottom of this page and in the I-Learn calendar. Assignments are due within the week in which they are assigned with the following exceptions:

• W01 Discussion: Meet Your Instructor (assigned in Week 01 and due in Week 03)
• Exam 1 (becomes available near the end of Week 04 and is due in the middle of Week 05)
• Exam 2 (becomes available near the end of Week 09 and is due in the middle of Week 10)

Late Work

As a sign of professionalism and respect, students should complete their work on time. A 10% reduction in the score will be automatically be applied as a late penalty for each day an assignment is late. Assignments are not accepted more than a week late. This does not apply to exams since they are not accepted late. There are no make-up exams.

Online Class Meeting

There will be an online meeting each week where you will meet with your instructor and other classmates to expand on the principles being covered that week. Your instructor will provide information about the day and time the Online Class Meeting is held each week. A link to the meeting room will be available on the Online Class Meeting page.

Time Commitment

This three-credit course is rigorous. Over 14 weeks, you will be expected to devote an average of 9–12 hours per week to complete your assignments. Some weeks require a little more work, some weeks a little less.

Grading Scale

Letter Grade	Grading Scale
A	93% - 100%
A-	90% - 92%
B+	87% - 89%
B	83% - 86%
B-	80% - 82%
C+	77% - 79%
C	73% - 76%
C-	70% - 72%
D+	67% - 69%
D	63% - 66%
D-	60% - 62%
F	59% - 0%

Grade Weighting

• Prepare and Teach One Another Activities—10%
• Exercises—45%
• Exams—45%

University Policies

Students with Disabilities

Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Office (Links to an external site.) at (208) 496-9210 or visit their website and follow the Steps for Receiving Accommodations (Links to an external site.). Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with students and instructors by the Disability Services Office.

This course includes required synchronous meetings. If you are currently registered with the Disability Services Office and need an interpreter or transcriber for these meetings, please contact the deaf and hard of hearing coordinator at (208) 496-9219.

Resources

Tutoring

All students may arrange for tutoring through the Academic Support Center, dedicated to assisting online and campus students in their coursework. This is a free service for BYU-I students. To arrange a tutor, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Academic Support Center webpage. (The link to this webpage is also available in the Student Resources module in the course.)
2. Click on the large text near the top of the page, "Request a Tutor."
3. Follow the prompts to arrange a tutor.

Online Student Support Center

If you need assistance or experience technical difficulties, visit the I-learn help tab on the left-hand side of your screen to contact the appropriate support center.

Other Resources

Please visit the University Policies page to read BYU-Idaho's policies on student honor, students with disabilities, sexual harassment, and complaints and grievances.