Course Schedule: Physics

Semester one - Focus on Astrophysics

Topic One: Gas Laws Gravitation

• Varitation of pressure (P) volume (V) and temperature in an ideal gas
• Boyle's Law (PV = constant), Charles' Law and the ideal gas Law
• Calculations involving PV = NkT
  • Honors Students: Kinetic Theory of Gases and Adiabatic Processs

Topic Two: Circular motion

• Angular Momentum
• Keplers Laws
• Newton's Law of Gravitation
• Calculations involving g = GmM/r²
• Periods of revolution and eliptical orbits

Topic Three: Newton’s Laws and Linear Momentum

• Equations of Motion
• Momentum and Kinetic Energy
• Projectile Motion
• Time in flight calculations

Topic Four: Relativity and the Lorentz Transformation

• Relativity and Motion near light speed
• The Lorentz Transformation
• Relativistic Mass
• Time Dilation
• Length Contaction

Topic Five: Energy II - E=mc² and Nuclear fission / fusion

• Work and Energy II
• Potential Energy via Calculus
• Elastic, Electrical and Gravitational Potential
• Energy from mass
• Nuclear Fission - slow neutrons, chain reactions, the China Syndrome and the Bomb
• Nuclear Fusion - J.E.T., other torus conainmant designs, cold fusion and the (other) Bomb

Topic Six: Electricity and Magnetism

• Induction and Electromagnets
• The electromagnetic spectrum
• The Doppler effect
• Sound waves