PHY 102 is a college-level course intended for students with non-technical majors who need a science lab & course. Students will gain an understanding of the physical principles involved in their everyday environment. The course will serve as an alternative physics course for those students having little or no algebra math skills. It is a continuation of a first-semester analog Introduction to Physics I - a distance learning course PHY 101. ELI NVCC has also two other physics sequences: algebra-based PHY 201,202 General College  Physics I, II for pre-med, pre-vet, pre-dental, Liberal Arts and pre-teaching non-science majors, and calculus-based PHY 231, 232  General University Physics I, II  for engineering, science and mathematics majors. 

This course surveys general principles of physics. They include topics such as sound,  light, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics. It involves using arithmetic and some simple algebra, mostly in laboratory.

This course requires reliable fast Internet access and attendance at three laboratory experiments and problem-solving practice on Saturdays: Jan 16, Jan 23 and Jan 30 at 2-7 pm, CS 247, Annandale campus.

The main objective of this course is to learn the principles of physics, including

electricity, magnetism, optics, and wave physics.

Specifically, you will learn to

* calculate electric forces and electric fields from charges.

* calculate electric potential from charge distributions or from the electric field.

* calculate capacitance and resistance of arrangements of conducting materials.

* use Kirchoff's Laws to find characteristics of dc circuits.

* calculate magnetic forces and magnetic fields.

* understand magnetic induction and to use Lenz's and Faraday's Laws.

* calculate characteristics of ac circuits.

* understand the nature of electromagnetic waves and light

*understand phenomena and laws of geometric and wave optics, such as reflection, refraction, polarization, interference

* calculate effects in geometric and wave optics, including interaction of light with optical elements such as lenses, mirrors,

* describe traveling and standing wave patterns of mechanical waves, understand  and calculate sound effects such as intensity, loudness, pitch, beats, Doppler effect.

 In the laboratory you will learn to:

* take accurate measurements with confidence and understand the uncertainties

*associated with them and uncertainty propagation, calculate percent error and percent difference

* use computer-assisted laboratory methods, based on ScienceWorkshop interface

* analyze data using graphical and computer-based techniques.

* spread-sheet style analysis of data and computer plots

* analyze data to induce scientific conclusions

* write meaningful conclusions based on observations, calculations, and data analysis

* collaborate with others as a team to produce collective results

* construct simple circuits with resistors, capacitors, and inductors

The required textbooks for this course are:

In this course instead of the usual paper textbook you will use an innovative comprehensive digital physics textbook on a CD, to be downloaded on your computer and enabling you to experience physics as never before. It presents physics with text and diagrams supplemented with thousands of narrated animations. Hundreds of simulations and interactive problems will challenge you to apply and assess what they are learning.

• Textbook CD "Conceptual Physics", by Kinetic Books,
• Paperback print of the CD text, bundled with CD,  
• Laboratory CD "Virtual Physics Labs" by Kinetic Books,

You have to install them on your home computer (only one installation permitted) and use the book CD  for study and the lab CD to do laboratory simulations.

For information on how to order your textbooks, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/

Your course grade will be determined by the following exams and assignments:

There are 4 online exams taken on the Blackboard. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail : wmajewski@nvcc.edu
Telephone : 703-323-2143
You may also call me to schedule a meeting in person, either at ELI or my campus office in Annandale. 

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.