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PHYSICS BIG AND SMALL

I.          Course description              

Physics Big and Small is an introductory course in physics.   The emphasis is on laboratory activities and a variety of relevant topics are covered.  The course is a blend of demonstrations, lecture/discussion and lab investigations.   The intent of the course is to provide the scholars an overview of the science that is physics.

II.        Instructor:  Mike O’Brien

BS, University of Texas at El Paso, 1987.   Master of Educational Administration, Lindenwood University, 1999.

Current employer: The Fort Zumwalt School District, Fort Zumwalt South High School, 8050 Mexico Road, St. Peters, Mo. 63376

E-mail: twk006@mail.connect.more.net

III.      Rationale for inclusion in a program for gifted students:

Physics is a challenging science which most Missouri Scholars will eventually pursue in their home high schools.   Physics Big and Small gives these talented students an opportunity to engage in physics activities in a college setting.   These scholars will be better prepared for successful entrance into high school physics and it will assist them if they choose to pursue a degree in the discipline.

IV.     Major topics covered:

• History of Physics
• Mechanics
• Waves
• Sound
• Light
• Relativity
• Electricity
• Quantum Mechanics
• Heat
• Matter
• Astrophysics
• Energy

V.        Prerequisite knowledge:

The scholars are in no need of any training in physics but it is expected that they be proficient in algebra.

VI.     Learning objectives:

The scholars should gain a solid foundation in, and be able to handle problems, both mathematical and practical in the following;

• Forces
• Motion
• Newtonian Dynamics
• Energy
• Linear Momentum
• Angular Momentum
• Ballistics
• Circular Motion
• Inertia
• Gravity
• Waves
• Sound
• Light
• Electromagnetism
• Thermodynamics
• Special Relativity
• General Relativity
• Astrophysics

It is further necessary that scholars become proficient with the equipment needed to carry out lab investigations involving these concepts.

VII.    Primary source material:

• MU Physics Demo Book-Lee Carlson, University of Missouri Press, 1996
• College and University Physics Lab Manual-C.W. Tompson and H.W. White, University of Missouri Press, 1995
• Fundamentals of Physics-David Halliday and Robert Resnick,  John Wiley and Sons, 1988
• Conceptual Physics-Paul Hewitt, Addison Wesley, 1992

VIII.   Supplementary source material

• Journey Through the Universe-Jay Pasachoff, Saunders College Publishing, 1992
• Physics: Principles and Problems-Paul Zitzewitz and Robert F. Neff, Glencoe/McGraw Hill, 1990
• Universe-William F. Kaufmann III, W.H. Freeman and Company, 1999