General Physics I (Algebra-Based)

Course Description

PHY2053C – General Physics I is a 4-credit-hour combined lecture and laboratory course that provides the first half of the algebra-based General Physics sequence. The course covers classical mechanics — kinematics, Newton's laws of motion, work and energy, momentum, rotational motion, gravitation, fluid mechanics, oscillations, and waves — at a level appropriate for life-science majors, pre-health professional students, architecture students, and others requiring rigorous physics preparation without calculus. Together with PHY2054C, the sequence satisfies the standard two-semester physics requirement for most pre-health and life-science programs in Florida.

The "C" lab indicator denotes integrated lecture and laboratory components, with hands-on experiments developing measurement skills, data analysis, graphical representation of physical relationships, and scientific reasoning. Students apply algebra and trigonometry to physics problem-solving without calculus. Coursework typically includes substantial problem-solving practice, laboratory exercises with both traditional and computer-based data acquisition, and assessments emphasizing both conceptual understanding and quantitative problem-solving.

PHY2053C is a Florida common course offered at approximately 33 Florida institutions and transfers as the equivalent course at all Florida public postsecondary institutions per SCNS articulation policy. It satisfies natural-science with-laboratory general-education requirements and is required as part of the algebra-based physics sequence for pre-health and life-science programs. Students intending engineering, physics, computer science, or other calculus-required STEM majors should take PHY2048C (Physics with Calculus I) instead.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

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

• Apply units, measurement, and dimensional analysis to physics problem-solving, including SI units, conversions, and significant figures.
• Apply vector analysis to physical quantities, including vector addition (graphical and component methods), vector subtraction, and resolution into components.
• Apply kinematics in one and two dimensions, including position, velocity, acceleration, the kinematic equations for constant acceleration, free fall, and projectile motion.
• Apply Newton's three laws of motion, including free-body diagrams, normal force, friction (static and kinetic), tension, and the analysis of systems with multiple connected objects.
• Apply circular motion and centripetal force, including uniform circular motion, banked turns, and orbital motion at the introductory level.
• Apply principles of universal gravitation, including Newton's law of universal gravitation, gravitational potential energy, and Kepler's laws.
• Apply work, energy, and the conservation of energy, including the work-energy theorem, kinetic energy, gravitational and elastic potential energy, conservative and non-conservative forces, and power.
• Apply linear momentum and conservation of momentum, including impulse, conservation of momentum in collisions (elastic and inelastic), and center of mass.
• Apply rotational kinematics and dynamics, including angular position, velocity, acceleration; torque; rotational inertia; rotational kinetic energy; angular momentum and its conservation.
• Apply static equilibrium for rigid bodies, including the conditions for equilibrium and applications to levers, beams, and structures.
• Apply principles of fluid mechanics, including density, pressure, Pascal's principle, Archimedes' principle (buoyancy), Bernoulli's equation, and viscosity at the introductory level.
• Apply principles of oscillatory motion, including simple harmonic motion, the simple pendulum, energy in SHM, and resonance.
• Apply principles of mechanical waves, including transverse and longitudinal waves, wave properties (wavelength, frequency, period, speed), the wave equation, sound, the Doppler effect, and standing waves.
• Apply thermodynamics at the introductory level, including temperature, heat, specific heat, latent heat, heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation), and the first and second laws of thermodynamics (where included).
• Demonstrate laboratory skills, including experimental setup, measurement using common instruments (rulers, scales, motion sensors, force probes, photogates), data recording, graphical analysis (linear and linearization techniques), and uncertainty estimation.

Optional Outcomes

• Apply physics concepts to biomechanics and biological applications, including the mechanics of human and animal motion, blood flow, and body system mechanics.
• Use computer simulations and data analysis tools (e.g., PhET Interactive Simulations, Logger Pro, Capstone) to explore physical phenomena.
• Apply concepts to sports physics and everyday phenomena.
• Engage with contemporary physics topics at the introductory level, including astrophysics applications and Florida-specific applications (hurricane physics, ocean wave dynamics).

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Introduction to Physics: The nature of physics; the scientific method in physics; SI units; dimensional analysis; significant figures; estimation; the role of math in physics.
• Vectors: Scalars vs. vectors; vector addition (graphical, component methods); vector subtraction; resolution into x and y components; unit vectors; the dot product (introductory).
• Kinematics in One Dimension: Position, velocity, acceleration; the kinematic equations for constant acceleration; graphical analysis of motion (position-time, velocity-time, acceleration-time graphs); free fall.
• Kinematics in Two Dimensions: Two-dimensional motion analysis; projectile motion (horizontal launches, angled launches); range, maximum height, time of flight calculations; relative motion.
• Newton's Laws of Motion: Newton's first law (inertia); Newton's second law (F=ma); Newton's third law (action-reaction); free-body diagrams; gravitational force (weight); normal force; tension; applied forces.
• Friction and Applications: Static and kinetic friction; the coefficient of friction; analyzing systems with friction; inclined planes with friction; multiple-object connected systems.
• Circular Motion and Gravitation: Uniform circular motion; centripetal acceleration; centripetal force; banked turns; vertical circular motion; Newton's law of universal gravitation; gravitational field; gravitational potential energy; Kepler's laws of planetary motion; introductory orbital mechanics.
• Work and Energy: Work as a scalar quantity; the work-energy theorem; kinetic energy; gravitational potential energy; elastic potential energy (spring); conservative vs. non-conservative forces; the law of conservation of energy; power.
• Linear Momentum and Collisions: Linear momentum; impulse; impulse-momentum theorem; conservation of momentum (one and two dimensions); elastic and inelastic collisions; perfectly inelastic collisions; center of mass; rocket propulsion at conceptual level.
• Rotational Motion — Kinematics: Angular position, velocity, and acceleration; rotational kinematic equations (analogous to linear); arc length; tangential velocity and acceleration.
• Rotational Motion — Dynamics: Torque; rotational inertia (moment of inertia); the rotational analog of Newton's second law (τ = Iα); rotational kinetic energy; rotational work; angular momentum and its conservation.
• Static Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies: Conditions for equilibrium (ΣF = 0, Στ = 0); analysis of beams, ladders, levers; mechanical advantage.
• Fluid Mechanics: Density and specific gravity; pressure (in fluids); Pascal's principle; hydraulic systems; gauge pressure vs. absolute pressure; atmospheric pressure; Archimedes' principle (buoyancy); fluids in motion (continuity equation); Bernoulli's equation; viscosity at conceptual level.
• Oscillatory Motion: Simple harmonic motion (SHM); Hooke's law; the spring-mass oscillator; the simple pendulum; period and frequency of SHM; energy in SHM (kinetic and potential); damped oscillations and resonance at conceptual level.
• Mechanical Waves: Wave properties (wavelength, frequency, period, speed, amplitude); transverse vs. longitudinal waves; the wave equation (v = fλ); wave interference (constructive and destructive); standing waves; resonance in strings and pipes.
• Sound: Sound as longitudinal pressure wave; the speed of sound; intensity and intensity level (decibels); the Doppler effect; sound interference and beats; introduction to musical sound.
• Thermodynamics — Introduction: Temperature and the temperature scales (Celsius, Kelvin, Fahrenheit); thermal expansion; heat as energy; specific heat; latent heat; calorimetry; heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation); the first law of thermodynamics; the second law of thermodynamics at conceptual level (where included).

Optional Topics

• Biomechanics: Forces in the human body (joints, muscles, levers); biomechanics of motion; blood flow as fluid dynamics application.
• Sports Physics: Projectile motion in athletics; collisions in sports; rotational motion in gymnastics and diving.
• Florida-Specific Applications: Hurricane physics (low-pressure systems, wind speed and air pressure); ocean wave dynamics; Florida coastal phenomena.
• Computational Physics: Using computer tools (Python, Excel) for physics problem-solving and modeling.

Resources & Tools

• Common Textbooks: College Physics (Serway/Vuille), College Physics (Knight/Jones/Field), College Physics (Young/Adams), Physics (Cutnell/Johnson/Young/Stadler), College Physics (Giambattista)
• Open Educational Resources: College Physics by OpenStax (algebra-based, free, widely adopted in Florida), Physics LibreTexts
• Online Platforms: Mastering Physics (Pearson), Connect Physics (McGraw-Hill), WebAssign (Cengage), Sapling Learning
• Lab Equipment: Standard physics lab equipment for mechanics — rulers, calipers, stopwatches, scales; motion sensors and motion detectors; force probes; photogates; spring sets; pendulums; ramps; pulleys; air tracks (where available); modern programs use Vernier or Pasco data-collection systems
• Simulations: PhET Interactive Simulations (free; University of Colorado Boulder); free online physics simulations
• Reference Resources: Khan Academy Physics; HyperPhysics (hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu); Veritasium and other physics YouTube channels; Crash Course Physics

Career Pathways

PHY2053C is the standard physics requirement for pre-health professional pathways and life-science majors. Career pathways supported include:

• Pre-Medicine — Required for nearly all U.S. medical schools; PHY2053C/PHY2054C is the algebra-based pathway accepted by most.
• Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Chiropractic — Required for these professional schools.
• Pre-Pharmacy — Required for most U.S. pharmacy (PharmD) programs.
• Pre-Physician Assistant — Required for most PA programs.
• Pre-Veterinary Medicine — Required for veterinary school.
• Physical Therapy — Required for DPT programs.
• Architecture — Required for many B.Arch programs.
• Life Sciences (Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry) — Required for many B.S. life-science majors.
• Allied Health Programs — Required for radiologic technology, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine technology, and other physics-relevant allied health programs.

Florida's substantial healthcare and life-sciences sector — including Florida medical schools (UF, FSU, USF, FAU, FIU, UCF, NSU, LECOM, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine), large teaching hospitals, biotech companies, and pharmaceutical firms — sustains strong demand for physics-prepared graduates entering health-professional pathways.

Special Information

General Education and Transfer

PHY2053C is a Florida common course number that satisfies general-education natural-science (with laboratory) requirements at most Florida public colleges and universities. It transfers as the equivalent course at all Florida public postsecondary institutions per SCNS articulation policy. Together with PHY2054C, it satisfies the two-semester algebra-based physics sequence required by most Florida pre-health and life-science programs.

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.
• PHY2053C / PHY2054C – General Physics I and II (Algebra-Based): The two-semester algebra-based sequence for life-science majors, pre-health students, architecture students (this course is the first semester).
• 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 should consult an academic advisor and target program admissions to confirm the appropriate physics sequence for their degree pathway. Most Florida medical schools accept either the algebra-based or calculus-based sequence; some pre-health programs (particularly engineering-focused biomedical programs) may prefer or require the calculus-based sequence.

Course Sequence and Prerequisites

PHY2053C requires current proficiency in algebra and basic trigonometry. Prerequisites typically include MAC1105C (College Algebra) with a grade of C or better. Many institutions also require or recommend MAC1140C (Precalculus Algebra) or MAC1147 (Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry) before or concurrent with PHY2053C, particularly for the trigonometry needed for vector analysis and projectile motion.

Course Format

PHY2053C is offered primarily in face-to-face format due to the hands-on lab component. Hybrid versions (online lecture + on-campus lab) are common; fully online versions with virtual labs are increasingly available. Students intending health-professional pathways should consult target programs about acceptance of online lab science courses, as some programs prefer or require traditional on-campus lab experiences.