Physics 5A "Physics for Life Sciences Majors: Mechanics and Energy," 5 units.
Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour; laboratory, two hours. Requisites: Life Sciences 30A, 30B, or Mathematics 3A, 3B, 3C (3C may be taken concurrently). Statics and dynamics of forces, motion, energy, including thermal energy, with applications to biological and biochemical systems. P/NP or letter grading.
The topics covered in this class and approximate schedules are listed below. Chapters listed are from the required textbook University Physics for the Life Sciences, Update Edition by Knight.
| Week | Chapter(s) | Topics covered | Optional sections |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Class orientation, representing motion | |
| 2 | 2 | Motion in one dimension | 2.8 Instantaneous acceleration |
| 3 | 3 | Vector and motion in two dimensions | 3.4 Motion on a ramp, 3.5 Relative motion, 3.6 and 3.7 Projectile motion |
| 4 | 4 | Forces and Newton's Law | |
| 5 | 5 | Applying Newton's Laws | |
| 6 | 7 | Rotational motion | (Skip Chapter 6 Circular motion, orbits and gravity), 7.1 Rotation of a rigid body, 7.4 Rotational dynamics, 7.5 Using Newton's 2nd law for rotation, 7.6 Rolling motion |
| 7 | 8 | Equilibrium and elasticity | 8.4 Stretching and compressing materials |
| 8 | 10 | Energy and work | (Skip Chapter 9 Momentum) |
| 9 | 10 | Energy and work | 10.8 power |
| 10 | 11.1-11.3 | Using energy, review | 11.4-11.9 will be covered in 5B |