Physics 101

Physics 101 is an introductory physics course for non-science majors. This introduction to physics teaches various concepts and their uses in everyday life. The Physics course has various topics: electricity and magnetism, nuclear radiation, Newtonian mechanics, vibrations, quantum phenomenon, fluids, light and sounds, heat, relativity, and cosmology.

This course has various exciting applications to everyday life such, as the origin of the universe, global warming, pseudoscience, nuclear energy, the search for extraterrestrial life, and energy conservation. Basic math, trigonometry, and simple algebra are used in the Physics 101 course while using estimation, proportional reasoning, and graphing skills.

The course helps students appreciate the physical world, improves reasoning and critical thinking, and prepares them to ace their final exam. It ensures that the public is better informed by improving their scientific literacy.

What is the physics 101 course about 

Physics is a course that uses critical mathematical tools needed to study the subject, and it benefits students who have basic knowledge in algebra, trigonometry, and geometry. It begins with an introduction to vectors and helps students acquire mathematical knowledge to understand Newton’s laws, such as Newton’s second law and basic classical electromagnetism topics.

Students’ math skills help them analyze and solve problems dealing with objects’ motion, gravitational forces, magnetism, and electric force. By the time students finish the course, they should be adept at studying more in-depth physics 101. Below is a diagram of one of the representations of Newtonian classical mechanics based on Newton’s laws of motion that students get to learn in the course.

Below are the outcomes achieved after undergoing a physics 101 course:

• Differentiating between mass and weight
• Calculate gravitational, kinetic, and elastic potential energies
• Know the workings of a hydraulic lift
• Understand how electricity and magnetism are related
• Determine balanced or unbalanced forces of an object
• Infer final energy from a starting energy
• Explain the different effects of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation on the nucleus of an atom
• Calculate velocity, displacement, and acceleration
• To describe and give examples of the three types of heat transference methods
• To study Uniform Circular Motion discovered by Sir Isaac Newton

A Physics 101 course is an excellent way for students to be introduced to modern physics. This website has all the information needed to give you an introduction to a modern physics course and helps physics students pass their final exam.

Modern Physics 101

This discipline is concerned with post-Newton’s laws. It is based on two breakthroughs of the 20th century which are Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. Modern physics dwells in the advanced description of nature through theories that differ from classical physics. The theories involve quantum mechanics and Einsteinian relativity, which came from Albert Einstein, the founder of modern physics.

Modern physics is based on classical principles and laws from Maxwell’s equations, Newton’s laws, and thermodynamics and presents the foundations of today’s physics. It focuses on condensed matter physics, particle physics, quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, and atomic physics. This discipline covers the below topics:

• Photoelectric effect
• Stern–Gerlach experiment
• Gravitational lensing
• Black-body radiation
• Quantum Mechanics
• Wave-particle duality
• Perihelion precession of Mercury
• Atomic theory and atomic model
• Michelson–Morley experiment
• Vibrations and Waves Phenomena
• Radioactive phenomena in general
• Thermodynamics. Heat and temperature
• Geiger–Marsden experiment
• Atomic theory and atomic model
• Franck-Hertz experiment.

Discoveries in modern physics

Several discoveries have contributed to the development of modern physics. Let us look at the most notable ones that occurred in the past:

• In 1905 Albert Einstein explained, through his relativity theory, that objects which move at speeds close to the speed of light experience the passage of time and the measurement in different ways.

• In 1985 Wilhelm Röntgen discovered invisible penetrating radiation known as X-rays.
• In 1913 Niels Bohr stated that energy levels in electrons scattered around an atomic nucleus are quantized.

• In 1900 Max Planck stated that the energy that is charged by the electromagnetic field has quantized values.
• The advent of quantum mechanics came in 1926 due to the contributions of physicists like Erwin Schröedinger and Werner Heisenberg.
• In 1924 Louis De’Broglie established the wave-particle duality, which proved that anyone could behave like a wave.

This discipline could explore the tremendous relativistic speeds and the microscopic world in light of the above discoveries. It also helps one understand the physical phenomena previously misunderstood.

Introductory physics 101

An Introductory Physics 101 course is an introduction for non-science majors. It teaches concepts in physics and their everyday uses. Physics departments in significant universities offer this introductory course to students in preparation for their final exam.

Most of these universities offer this course in three parts. The first part is mechanics, which is concerned with the laws governing the motion of rigid macroscopic objects and point particles. It also highlights some related material regarding oscillations, fluid dynamics, waves, and thermodynamics.

The second part of this course deals with the electrical and magnetic phenomenon and highlights some related materials regarding the properties of light. These properties are diffraction, interference, lenses, and mirrors.

Majors in physics 

Graduates who majored in physics courses get many job opportunities with entities that deal in industrial engineering, banking, computing, technical sales, hospital physics, quality control testing, and insurance.

Courses in physics 101

As mentioned above, graduates who majored in physics have plenty of opportunities abound to them. The below courses are good examples of such majors:

Nuclear physics: Nuclear physics studies the structure, behavior, and components of the atom’s nucleus. This study is used in various applications such as developing nuclear energy, nuclear medicine, smoke detectors, and archaeological dating. Nuclear diagnostic techniques such as X-rays have revolutionized medicine as medical practitioners now don’t have to resort to surgery to “see” inside the body.

Astrophysics: Astrophysics is an astronomy branch that focuses on the make-up of stars, their systems, and space matter and radiation. Astrophysics uses physics 101 laws to discover the creation of astronomical bodies, their interactions, and how they die. The study helps us understand interstellar travel, examine the human body’s adaptations when experiencing new situations, and build things in safer and more contemporary ways.

Engineering Physics: Engineering is another good major and quite demanding as it involves decisions that affect public safety.  Engineers help to build electrical systems, buildings, bridges, and airplanes.

They work in aerospace, energy, chemical, agriculture, construction, food, metallurgy, fuel, textiles, and clothing. Students can either get a degree in physics then get a master’s in engineering degree or double-major in physics and engineering. Engineering Physics students usually have a somewhat easy task of finding good jobs after their final exam and subsequent graduation from University.

Astronomy: Astronomy is one of the fields in physics 101. Astronomers explain how planets and stars are related using data and other phenomena in the universe. Astronomers often consult with other physicists to solve satellite communication and space flight navigation problems.

Geophysics: Geophysicists discover and study the earth’s properties using physical measurements and theories. Geophysics consists of hydrology (ground and surface water), geothermometry (heating of the planet), seismology, and gravity. Geophysics is used in studying earthquakes, archaeology, urban planning, and building highways and bridges.

Space physics: This is the study of space. Space physicists study the region where satellites orbit, as well as deep space.

Optical, molecular, and atomic physics: This discipline involves studying how light and matter interact at the nuclear level. Matter, light, and the atom cluster together because they are interrelated and have related energy scales.

Atomic physics involves studying the atom, and molecular physics involves studying multi-atomic structures and how they interact with matter and light, while optical physics studies light and its fundamental properties.

Computer science: Computer science deals in artificial intelligence, graphics and software, computer games, and data processing

Physics education: Elementary and high school physics 101 teachers are physics grads who teach the subject to future generations.

Matter physics 

This field involves physical properties of macroscopic and microscopic matter, with interest in the liquid and solid phases that occur due to electromagnetic forces between atoms. This field deals with stages of matter that are condensed.

Students of physics 

These students have an abundance of opportunities available to them once they graduate. They study various aspects of the course like uniform circular motion, rotational motion, quantum mechanics, engineering, etc., making them very knowledgeable in almost every part of life. One can major in both physics and engineering to increase their marketability.

These students study a wide variety of these courses, such as the examples below:

• Advanced freshman physics: This course studies Newtonian mechanics, energy, work, and power. It also looks at electrical circuits, sound, and mechanical waves.
• Approach to physics: It teaches first-year students how to approach this complex field and embrace its teachings.

How complex is physics 101 

• One-term course 

Physics 101 can have various courses with different levels of difficulty. Students taking this course can break down their courses and choose one-term courses that they can study and understand before moving on to the next level. This method might take longer but ensures that you are up to speed with your physics courses.

• Calculus-based course 

This course studies Newton’s laws of motion, energy, work, linear momentum, gravity, rotational motion, equilibrium and elasticity, fluid mechanics, periodic motion, fluid mechanics, temperature, and the laws of thermodynamics.

• Advanced courses 

Advanced courses specialize in Physics or Theoretical Physics majors to help students master the subject. Students can then understand physical phenomena at a deeper level.

• Introductory physics 101 courses 

This is the first course and focuses on mechanics, which studies the physical laws governing the motion of rigid macroscopic objects and point particles. It also studies waves, thermodynamics, oscillations, and fluid dynamics.

• PHYS 102 One-term course 

It is an algebra-based course for 1st-year students who are interested in sciences.

What does physics 101 cover? 

Quantum mechanics 

It is a science that deals with matter and light behavior on the atomic and subatomic scale. It describes the properties of atoms and molecules and their constituents which are protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Fluid mechanics 

Fluid mechanics is the study of fluid behavior in motion and at rest. Fluid mechanics is used in chemical and mechanical engineering, astrophysics, and biological systems.

Mechanics 

This science involves the motion of bodies under the action of forces, including bodies that remain at rest. It involves the forces that bodies exert on each other while in motion, which encompasses electricity, gravity, and magnetism.

Principles of quantum mechanics 

Below are the basic principles of quantum mechanics:

• Electromagnetism

• The weak nuclear force
• The strong nuclear force
• Gravity

Applications of mechanics 

Mechanics has various daily life applications such as:

Computer and mobile phone: Semiconductor based electronics such as computers and mobile phones are built using the principles of mechanics

Microscopy: Quantum mechanics have brought about electron microscopy, which improves the imaging of microscopic samples.

Global Positioning System (GPS): Quantum mechanics helps pick up satellite signals to help with direction and estimated arrival time.

Toaster: The heating element in the toaster gets hot using principles of quantum mechanics.

Classical mechanics 

It is a type of mechanics that describes the motion of macroscopic objects from parts of machinery to astronomical objects and projectiles.

Analytical Mechanics 

Analytical mechanics is a field that uses calculus of variations to solve problems in mechanics. It involves solving differential equations.

Concepts behind quantum mechanics 

It is a science that deals with matter and light behavior on the atomic and subatomic scale. It describes the properties of atoms and molecules and their constituents which are protons, neutrons, and electrons.

What do you learn in the intro to physics 101? 

• Physical science 

It is the study of the inorganic world. The four branches are physics, chemistry, astronomy, and Earth sciences.

• Science Studies 

Science studies are the area of research that uses scientific expertise in historical, philosophical, and social contexts.

• Atmospheric science 

Atmospheric science is the study of the gas surrounding the earth and the dynamics of chemistry.

• Cognitive sciences 

Cognitive science is the study of the human mind.

• Context of science 

The context of science links the physical world to scientific ideas.

• Rigid body motion 

Rigid body motion is whereby the distance between two points of a rigid body remains constant in time despite external forces.

• Harmonic motion 

Harmonic motion is the repetitive back and forth movement through an equilibrium such that the maximum displacement on one side equals the maximum displacement on the other side. The time interval of each complete vibration is the same.

• Accelerated motion 

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with time in terms of speed and direction. The presence of speed and direction means that acceleration is a vector.

• Angular motion 

Angular motion is a body’s motion at a fixed point.

What is the basis of physics? 

Physics 101 is a science that studies matter and the movement of matter through time and space.

Why 101 means basic 

101 is a college U.S numbering system that means that this is an introductory course.

Is physics harder than math 

There is the perception that Physics is more complex because of the combination of calculations, theoretical concepts, and lab experiments.

Is physics harder than calculus 

Physics is more complex because of the use of both calculus and theoretical concepts.

Is a physics degree hard 

A physics 101 degree can be challenging due to the difficulties in mastering the theoretical concepts, calculations, and experiments. However, this doesn’t have to discourage aspiring physics majors, as Galaxy grades have your back. Visit Galaxygrades.com and get in touch with the professional writers who will help you ace those problematic tests in just a few clicks.