Fall 2025

Instructor: Jericho Cain, Ph.D.

Welcome to the course page for PHY 201. This page contains the syllabus, lecture materials, and assignments.

Syllabus

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Course Description

This course introduces the principles of classical mechanics, with an emphasis on applications relevant to life science, pre-medical, and technology-oriented fields. Topics include linear and two-dimensional motion, forces and Newton’s laws, energy, momentum, circular motion, and rotational dynamics. The course is algebra-based and designed for students pursuing science-related majors, including pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-chiropractic, and pre-physical therapy tracks.

Students will gain both conceptual understanding and practical experience through integrated laboratory activities, quantitative problem-solving, and the exploration of physics in real-world and technological contexts.

Textbooks

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Class Schedule

Date Chapter Topic / Lab / Due
09/27/25 1 Introduction & Mathematical Concepts
Lab 1: Measurement, Graphing, Prediction
10/04/25 2 Kinematics in 1D
Lab 2: Modern Galileo
HW 1 Due, Lab 1 Due
10/11/25 3 Kinematics in 2D; Review (Ch. 1–3)
Lab 3: Projectile Motion
HW 2 Due, Lab 2 Due
10/18/25 4 Forces & Newton’s Laws
Exam 1 (Ch. 1–3)
HW 3 Due, Lab 3 Due
10/25/25 5 Circular Motion
Lab 4: Newton’s 2nd Law
HW 4 Due
11/01/25 6 Work & Energy
Lab 5: Equilibrium of Forces
Lab 4 Due
11/08/25 6 (cont.) Review (Ch. 4–6)
Lab 6: Friction
HW 5 Due, Lab 5 Due
11/15/25 7 Impulse-Momentum
Exam 2 (Ch. 4–6)
HW 6 Due, Lab 6 Due
11/22/25 8 Rotational Kinematics
Lab 7: Work & Kinetic Energy
11/29/25 9 Rotational Dynamics
Lab 8: Collisions
HW 7 Due, Lab 7 Due
12/06/25 9 (cont.) Review (Ch. 7–9)
Lab 9: Torque
HW 8 Due, Lab 8 Due
12/13/25 Final Exam Final Exam
HW 9 Due, Lab 9 Due

Lecture Slides

Homework Assignments

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