Fundamentals of Physics

Course Description

PHY1020C – Fundamentals of Physics is a 3-credit-hour combined lecture and laboratory course providing a survey of the principles of physics for non-science majors and students who do not require the calculus-based physics sequence. The course presents the major branches of physics — mechanics, thermodynamics, waves and sound, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and modern physics — at a conceptual and algebra-based level.

The "C" lab indicator denotes integrated lecture and laboratory components, with hands-on experiments demonstrating physical principles and developing measurement, data analysis, and scientific reasoning skills. Students apply algebra and basic geometry to physics problem-solving without the calculus required of PHY2048C (Physics with Calculus I) or PHY2049C (Physics with Calculus II).

PHY1020C satisfies the natural-science general-education requirement at most Florida public colleges and universities and is appropriate for students in non-STEM majors, education programs (especially elementary education), allied health programs, and other fields where physics literacy is required but the calculus-based physics sequence is not. It is offered at approximately 32 Florida institutions and transfers as the equivalent course at all Florida public postsecondary institutions per SCNS articulation policy. Students intending to pursue engineering, physics, or other calculus-based STEM majors should take PHY2053C/PHY2054C (algebra-based General Physics for life-science and pre-professional students) or PHY2048C/PHY2049C (calculus-based Physics with Calculus) instead, depending on program requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Apply the scientific method and the basic vocabulary of physics, including units, dimensional analysis, significant figures, and measurement uncertainty.
• Solve basic problems in kinematics, including motion in one and two dimensions, free fall, and projectile motion using algebra and basic trigonometry.
• Apply Newton's three laws of motion and the concept of force to solve problems involving common forces (gravity, normal, tension, friction).
• Apply principles of work, energy, and power, including kinetic and potential energy, the work-energy theorem, conservation of energy, and power.
• Apply principles of linear momentum and conservation of momentum, including elastic and inelastic collisions.
• Apply principles of circular motion, rotation, and rotational motion at an introductory level (centripetal force, basic torque, angular quantities).
• Apply principles of fluid mechanics, including density, pressure, Pascal's principle, Archimedes' principle, and basic fluid flow.
• Apply principles of thermodynamics, including temperature, heat, the laws of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and basic thermodynamic processes.
• Apply principles of waves and sound, including wave properties, sound waves, intensity and the decibel scale, the Doppler effect, and resonance.
• Apply principles of electricity, including electric charge, Coulomb's law, electric fields, electric potential, basic circuits (Ohm's law, series and parallel resistors), and electrical safety.
• Apply principles of magnetism, including magnetic fields, magnetic forces, electromagnetic induction at an introductory level.
• Apply principles of light and optics, including the wave-particle nature of light, reflection, refraction, lenses, mirrors, and basic optical instruments.
• Recognize key concepts of modern physics, including special relativity (introductory), quantum theory basics, atomic structure, and nuclear physics at a conceptual level.
• Demonstrate laboratory skills, including experimental setup, measurement using common instruments (rulers, balances, timers, force probes, multimeters), data recording, graphical analysis, and simple uncertainty estimation.

Optional Outcomes

• Apply physics concepts to real-world contexts and technological applications, including transportation, energy, communications, medical imaging, and consumer technology.
• Use computer simulations and visualization tools (e.g., PhET Interactive Simulations) to explore physics phenomena.
• Engage with history of physics and philosophy of science at an introductory level, including major historical developments and the nature of scientific knowledge.
• Examine contemporary topics in physics, including astrophysics and cosmology basics, particle physics overview, or applications such as renewable energy.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Introduction to Physics: The scientific method; SI units and unit conversion; dimensional analysis; significant figures; measurement and uncertainty; scalars and vectors at an introductory level.
• Kinematics in One and Two Dimensions: Position, displacement, velocity, acceleration; equations of motion for constant acceleration; free fall; projectile motion (introductory).
• Newton's Laws of Motion: Newton's three laws; mass and weight; common forces (gravity, normal, tension, friction); free-body diagrams; applications to inclined planes and pulley systems at an introductory level.
• Work, Energy, and Power: Work done by a constant force; kinetic energy; gravitational potential energy; elastic potential energy; conservation of mechanical energy; non-conservative forces; power.
• Linear Momentum: Definition of momentum; impulse and the impulse-momentum theorem; conservation of linear momentum; elastic and inelastic collisions in one dimension.
• Circular Motion and Rotation (Introductory): Uniform circular motion; centripetal acceleration and force; angular quantities (angular displacement, velocity, acceleration); torque and rotational equilibrium at an introductory level.
• Gravitation: Newton's law of universal gravitation; gravitational field; planetary motion at a conceptual level (Kepler's laws).
• Fluids: Density and specific gravity; pressure in fluids; Pascal's principle; Archimedes' principle and buoyancy; fluid flow (continuity equation, Bernoulli's principle at an introductory level).
• Temperature and Heat: Temperature scales (Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin); thermal expansion; heat and specific heat capacity; phase changes and latent heat; methods of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation).
• Thermodynamics: The first law of thermodynamics (conservation of energy); the second law (entropy at a conceptual level); heat engines and refrigerators at an introductory level.
• Waves and Sound: Wave types (transverse, longitudinal); wave properties (wavelength, frequency, period, speed); sound waves; intensity and the decibel scale; the Doppler effect; resonance and standing waves.
• Electric Charge and Electric Field: Electric charge; conductors and insulators; Coulomb's law; the electric field; electric field lines.
• Electric Potential and Capacitance: Electric potential energy and electric potential; the relationship between electric potential and electric field; capacitors at an introductory level.
• Electric Current and Direct-Current Circuits: Electric current; Ohm's law; resistance and resistivity; resistors in series and parallel; Kirchhoff's rules at an introductory level; electrical power; electrical safety.
• Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction: Magnetic fields; magnetic force on moving charges and currents; electromagnetic induction (Faraday's law at a conceptual level); applications (motors, generators, transformers).
• Light and Optics: The electromagnetic spectrum; the wave-particle nature of light; reflection (law of reflection, mirrors); refraction (Snell's law, lenses); image formation by mirrors and lenses; basic optical instruments (eye, magnifier, microscope, telescope).
• Wave Optics: Interference (double-slit at an introductory level); diffraction at a conceptual level; polarization.
• Modern Physics (Conceptual): Special relativity overview (time dilation, length contraction, mass-energy equivalence); the photoelectric effect and the photon; the Bohr model of the atom; the wave-particle duality; basic quantum theory; nuclear structure; radioactive decay; nuclear reactions (fission and fusion at a conceptual level).

Optional Topics

• Astronomy and Cosmology: Brief survey of stellar structure and evolution; the universe; the Big Bang.
• Renewable Energy and Climate Physics: Solar energy; wind energy; the physics of climate change.
• Medical Physics: X-rays, ultrasound, MRI at a conceptual level.
• History and Philosophy of Physics: Major historical developments; the nature of scientific knowledge.
• Particle Physics Overview: Standard model concepts at a conceptual level.

Resources & Tools

• Common Textbooks: Conceptual Physics (Hewitt) — widely adopted for non-major courses; The Physics of Everyday Phenomena (Griffith), Physics: A Conceptual World View (Kirkpatrick/Francis), College Physics (Serway/Vuille — some institutions adopt the algebra-based version)
• Open Educational Resources: College Physics by OpenStax (algebra-based, free, widely adopted in Florida), Physics LibreTexts, Lumen Learning
• Online Platforms: Mastering Physics (Pearson), Connect Physics (McGraw-Hill), WebAssign (Cengage)
• Lab Equipment: Standard physics lab equipment (carts and tracks, photogates, force probes, dynamic carts, oscilloscopes for waves, electrostatics kits, electric circuits, ray boxes for optics); modern programs may use Vernier or Pasco data-collection systems
• Simulations: PhET Interactive Simulations (free; University of Colorado Boulder), Falstad circuit simulator, Algodoo (physics sandbox)
• Reference Resources: Khan Academy Physics; HyperPhysics (hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu); Veritasium (YouTube); MinutePhysics; Crash Course Physics

Career Pathways

PHY1020C develops scientific literacy and quantitative reasoning skills valuable across many fields, but is specifically designed for students whose career paths require physics literacy without the depth of the calculus-based physics sequence. Career and academic pathways include:

• Education (Elementary and Middle School) — Required science course for many Florida elementary and middle-school education programs.
• Allied Health Programs — Some programs in radiologic technology, respiratory therapy, and similar fields require general physics literacy.
• Liberal Arts and Communications — Science literacy required for general-education completion.
• Business and Management — Quantitative reasoning and scientific literacy support general business education.
• Public Service and Public Administration — Science literacy increasingly valued for policy roles addressing energy, environment, and technology.
• Journalism and Communications (Science Communication) — Foundational for science journalism.

Students intending to pursue engineering, physics, computer science, mathematics, chemistry, or other calculus-based STEM fields should take the appropriate calculus-based physics sequence (PHY2048C/PHY2049C) instead. Students entering many pre-health programs (pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-pharmacy, pre-PA, pre-veterinary, physical therapy) typically need the algebra-based General Physics sequence (PHY2053C/PHY2054C), which is more rigorous than PHY1020C.

Special Information

General Education and Transfer

PHY1020C is a Florida common course number that satisfies general-education natural-science requirements at most Florida public colleges and universities. It transfers as the equivalent course at all Florida public postsecondary institutions per SCNS articulation policy. The course is part of the standard natural-science options on the A.A. transfer pathway.

Course Selection Guidance

Florida offers multiple physics options for different student needs:

• PHY1020C – Fundamentals of Physics: Survey for non-science majors and students with no advanced physics requirement (this course).
• PHY2053C / PHY2054C – General Physics I and II (Algebra-Based): The two-semester algebra-based sequence for life-science majors, pre-health students, architecture students, and others requiring more rigorous physics without calculus.
• PHY2048C / PHY2049C – Physics with Calculus I and II: The two-semester calculus-based sequence for engineering, physics, computer science, mathematics, chemistry, and other STEM majors.

Students unsure of their major should consult an academic advisor before choosing among physics options, as the courses lead to different downstream pathways.

Prerequisite Considerations

PHY1020C typically requires successful completion of intermediate algebra (MAT1033) or equivalent, with college-level reading placement. Some institutions accept high school algebra II as the prerequisite. Trigonometry is helpful but typically not required at the depth needed in this course.

Course Format

PHY1020C is offered in multiple formats: traditional in-person (lecture + on-campus lab), hybrid (online lecture + on-campus lab), and fully online (with virtual lab using simulation platforms). Most Florida institutions offer in-person and hybrid versions; fully online versions with virtual labs have expanded substantially.