Physical Science

Lesson Objectives

Lesson learning objectives are given out at the beginning of the course. They consist of general statements of what students should be able to do after each lesson is completed. Their purpose is to provide guidelines for helping students to know what is expected in each lesson so that study time can be utilized more efficiently and effectively. In addition to accomplishing the objectives for each lesson, students should be able to work problems similar to those assigned by the instructor, and know the key words at the end of each chapter in the text which were included in the reading assignment.

JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
PHYSICAL SCIENCE PSCI 120
LESSON LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Lesson # Objectives

Lesson #1

  1. Become acquainted with the use of scientific calculators and know how to use Standard Scientific Notation.
  2. Discuss what is meant by science, what are its characteristics, and what is its value to society and technology.
  3. Discuss the steps in the scientific method. (Discussed by instructor)
  4. Understand how the course is organized into four major disciplines.
  5. Understand course requirements and grading standards.
  6. Review Math , Metric System (SI) System International Units
  7. Become familiar with units of length (L), mass (m), and time (t).
  8. Define mechanics as the term is used in physics.
  9. What did Aristotle think about motion?
  10. What did Galileo add to the study of motion?
  11. Define and contrast average and instantaneous speed.
  12. Define speed and velocity and recognize the difference between them.
  13. What is the difference between a scaler quantity and a vector quantity?
  14. Define acceleration.

Lesson #2

  1. Be familiar with the English and International System (SI) units for speed and acceleration.
  2. What is meant by free fall? Be able to compute distance fallen in a given time, and the time required to fall a given distance.
  3. Understand constant acceleration and give an example.
  4. Know the units and the numerical value for g, and know how this value is used. (2.6)
  5. Discuss what is meant by a force and a net force, and whether these quantities are a vector or scaler. (2.8)
  6. State Newton's three laws of motion and be able to give an example of each. Be able to work problems using Netwon's 2nd law.
  7. What is meant by inertia? (2.12)
  8. Define one newton of force and give its units. (2.13)
  9. Know the difference between mass and weight. Given the mass of an object, be able to compute the weight in metric units. (SI) (2.13)

Lesson #3

  1. Define work and state the SI unit of work. (3.4)
  2. Describe what energy is and state its units. (3.4)
  3. Give a descriptive definition of, and state the formula for, kinetic energy. (3.5)
  4. Give a descriptive definition of, and state the formula for, gravitational potential energy.
  5. Be able to work problems using the KE and PE formula. (3.6)
  6. State the law of the conservation of mechanical energy. (3.7)
  7. Understand what is meant by the "conservation" of energy.(3.7)
  8. Explain why the law of the conservation of energy is important. (3.7)
  9. Describe how the total energy of a system is related to the sum of its potential energy, kinetic energy, and thermal energy.

Lesson #5

  1. Describe the effect that increasing temperature has on the volume of materials such as mercury (Hg). (5.1)
  2. Describe what is believed to happen to matter at zero Kelvin.(5.2)
  3. Discuss temperature scales, and be able to convert from onescale to another. (Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin) (5.2)
  4. Be able to compare the freezing and boiling points of water on the Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin temperature scales. (5.2)
  5. What is meant by the term heat? (5.5)
  6. Compare and contrast the terms heat and temperature. (5.5)
  7. Discuss the relationship between temperature and molecular motion. (5.5)
  8. Describe how heat is transferred via radiation, conduction,andconvection, and describe what happens at the molecular (atomic) level when these processes occur. (5.9)
  9. Describe and give examples of a transverse and longitudinalwave. (7.2)
  10. Define and use the following wave terms: speed, frequency, amplitude, and wavelength.
  11. Discuss how the speed of sound varies in different states of matter (gas, liquid, solid), and relate this to the term elasticity. (7.5)

Lesson #6

  1. Understand the concept of constructive and destructive interference. (7.8)
  2. What is meant by one wave being in or out of phase with another wave? (7.8)
  3. Discuss what is meant by a standing wave. (7.9)
  4. What is meant by fundamental frequency, and how can it be used to determine other frequencies that could create standing waves? (7.9)
  5. Discuss what is meant by the terms overtones and harmonics of a standing wave. (7.9 - 7.10)
  6. Knowing the fundamental frequency of a guitar string, pick out frequencies that would produce the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overtones. (7.10)
  7. Explain the term resonance with respect to waves and under what conditions it exists. (page 144)
  8. Discuss how the quality of sound production in a musical instrument is influenced by the mixture of overtones. (7.10)
  9. Discuss how instrumental sounds can be distinguished by overtone mixtures. (7.10)
  10. Describe the concept of the Doppler Effect and how a stationary observer would perceive a change in pitch of a sound emitted from an approaching or receding object. (7.11)
  11. Understand the cause of a sonic boom. (page 148)

  • Understand how light is produced as electrons tumble down to the ground state from excited states. (11.4)
  • Define the term spectrum. (11.6)
  • Tell how a spectroscope can be used to identify elements.
  • Name and describe the three types of spectra. (11.6)
  • Arrange the following in order of increasing frequency (decreasing wavelength): light, infrared, ultraviolet, radio waves, microwaves, gamma rays, and X-rays. (page 255)
  • Name the colors in white light in order of increasing frequency (decreasing wavelength). (class)

    Lesson #12

    1. Contrast Boyle's Law and Charles' Law. (15.8, 15.9)
    2. Explain how the volume, pressure, and temperature of a gas are related to each other.
    3. Explain how equal volumes of gas and the number of molecules in each volume are related.
    4. What is meant by the kinetic theory of gases and what assumptions does it make? How does it explain Boyle's Law and Charles' Law?

    Lesson #16

    1. What are climate and weather? How do they differ? (pg 415)
    2. Describe the pressure and temperature relationships which exist in our present atmosphere. (18.2)
    3. Describe the EarthÕs energy balance. (18.3)
    4. What are the Earth/Sun relationships which cause seasons? (18.3)

    Lesson #20

    1. What is wind? (18.4)
    2. How are winds generated? (18.4)
    3. What is wind chill? How does it affect us? (pg 426)
    4. What is the Coriolis effect? Explain the effect it has on circulation around (H) high, and (L) low pressure areas. (18.4)
    5. Describe and diagram the EarthÕs global circulation patterns.
    6. What are jet streams? Where are they located? What produces them? (18.4)
    7. Discuss the difference between absolute and relative humidity.
    8. Know how the relative humidity of an air mass changes with varying temperatures of that air mass. (18.5)
    9. When does an air mass become saturated. (18.5)
    10. What is the dew point of a moist air mass. (18.5)
    11. Recall the relationship between pressure and temperature of a gas. (15.8 - 15.9)
    12. Discuss the change in a parcel of air as it is heated and begins to rise. (adiabatic cooling) (18.4)
    13. Understand the difference between stable and unstable air masses. (Class Handout)
    14. Recall the three components necessary in a cloud for the production of rain, and describe how cloud seeding clouds with CO2 pellets can initiate the production of rain in a cloud. (18.7)

    Lesson #21

    1. What is an air mass? (18.10)
    2. Describe the characteristic of the convergent zones between moving air masses (front). Advancing Warm Front, and Advancing Cold Front
    3. Describe the weather conditions on both the areas in front of and behind a moving front (warm and cold). (18.10)
    4. Recognize the symbols on a weather map for warm, cold, and stationary fronts and predict their direction of motion. (Focus page 445)
    5. About what amount of the earth do we exploit for nearly all of our material and energy resources? (19.1)
    6. Draw, and describe a cross section of the Earth, indicating its four major layers. (19.2)
    7. How do scientists gather information about the deep interior of the Earth? (19.2)
    8. Compare, and contrast rocks and minerals. (19.3)
    9. What are the three general categories of rocks? Give two examples of each. (19.3)
    10. Diagram and discuss how the rock cycle relates the three major rock types. (19.3)

    Lesson #22

    1. Discuss two lines of reasoning Wegener used to support his theory of continental drift. (19.6)
    2. What initially lead to the theory of Plate Tectonics? (19.6)
    3. What is isostasy? Give two examples of the concept. (19.2)

    Lesson #23

    1. Indicate, and explain the various geologic activities that may occur at the three (3) types of tectonic plate boundaries. (Earthquakes, Volcanoes) (19.9)
    2. What are the three basic types of plate boundaries? Be able to draw a diagram of each, and describe the relative motion between the plates.
    3. What is the difference in ground motion represented by two consecutive numbers on the Richter Scale? (pg. 488)
    4. Define, compare, and contrast weathering and erosion. (19.10)
    5. What are mechanical and chemical weathering? How do they differ? Give at least two examples of each. (19.10)
    6. Discuss how the motion of tectonic plates are responsible for the stress buildup necessary to cause earthquakes.(19.9)
    7. Explain how plate movement along one section of a fault zone can build up stress in another section of a fault zone. (19.9)
    8. Explain how the earthquake events in China in 1975 and 1976 disappointed scientists working in the field of ÒEarthquake PredictionÓ (19.9)
    9. Discuss some of the principles of modern earthquake prediction. (19.9)
    10. Recall the four (4) factors which determine the characteristics of a volcanic eruption.(19.10)
    11. Define ÒViscosityÓ and its role in determining characteristics of volcanic eruptions. (19.10)
    12. Describe the three different methods of water transport relative to the hydrologic cycle. (20.4)

    Lesson #24

    1. Discuss how the use of irrigation can result in nonproductive soil. (20.7)
    2. Define eutrophication and discuss how it can result in the death of fish in lakes and rivers. (20.7)
    3. What are the conditions necessary to develop ground water.
    4. Be familiar with and be able to discuss the ground water diagrams in Figure 20.16, and Figure 20.17 on pages 521 and 522 of your text.

    Lesson #25

      Unit Test #4 Review Lessons 19 - 24
    1. Be able to sketch the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon at the various phases of the Moon. (21.3)
    2. Know the names of the MoonÕs phases. (21.3)
    3. Which are the waxing phases and the waning phases of the moon?
    4. What is the effect of the tilt of the MoonÕs orbit with respect to the EarthÕs orbital plane? (21.3)
    5. What are nodes? (21.3)
    6. What is a lunar eclipse, and in which phase of the Moon can it occur?(21.3)
    7. What is a solar eclipse, and in which phase of the Moon can it occur? (21.3)

    Lesson #26

    1. What is the difference between astronomy and astrology? (p. 544)
    2. What are circumpolar constellations? (21.1)
    3. Know the effect of EarthÕs rotation on the apparent motions of stars. (21.2)
    4. Know the effect of EarthÕs orbit around the sun on the apparent motion of stars.(21.2)
    5. What is parallax?(21.2)
    6. Know the definitions of rotation and revolution. (21.2)

    Lesson #27

    1. What is the origin of the word ÒplanetÓ? (21.4)
    2. What is meant by retrograde motion of planets? (21.4)
    3. Know the meaning of the terms: celestial sphere, celestial equator, ecliptic, and zodiac. (21.4)
    4. What events occur at the vernal equinox, autumn equinox, summer solstice, winter solstice? Be able to indicate the time of the year that each occurs. (21.4)
    5. Indicate the contributions made by Aristotle and Ptolemy to early astronomy (21.5)
    6. Define geocentric motion. (21.5)
    7. What are epicycles, and why did Ptolemy use them? (21.5)
    8. What is meant by heliocentric motion? (21.6)
    9. Indicate the contributions made by Copernicus and Kepler to astronomy in the 16th and 17th centuries. (21.6, 21.8)
    10. Know KeplerÕs three laws of planetary motion. (21.8)
    11. Know the terms semi-major axis and focus in reference to an ellipse. Relate this to EarthÕs orbital path around the Sun. (21.8)
    12. What is an astronomical unit (A.U.)? (21.8)
    13. Given the period or the average distance to a planet, be able to calculate the other quantity using KeplerÕs third law. (21.8)

    Lesson #28

    1. What is the approximate age of our solar system? (22.1)
    2. Explain the Nebular Hypothesis. (22.1)
    3. What condition was necessary in the interior of the sun to initiate nuclear fusion reactions? (22.1)
    4. Compare and contrast meteoroids, meteors, meteorites, asteroids, and comets. (22.12)
    5. After the completion of lesson 28 you should be able to identify which planet is the largest or smallest (highest or lowest) in the following categories:
      • -distance from Sun
      • -size
      • -mass
      • -density
      • -temperature
      • -rotation
      • -revolution
      • -orbital eccentricity
    6. After the completion of lesson 28 you should be able to compare terrestrial and Jovian planets in the following characteristics
      • -size
      • -mass
      • -rotation
      • -number of satellites
      • -temperature
      • -surface characteristics
      • -orbital spacing
      • -ring systems

    Lesson #29

    1. How can the spectral absorption lines be used to identify the elements present in a star. (23.1)
    2. Understand how the surface temperature of a star is indicated by its color. Recall the different colors and relate these colors to their relative temperatures. (23.1)
    3. Discuss HubbleÕs Law and its importance. (23.1)
    4. Discuss the different phases of evolution of a star such as our Sun. (23.4)
    5. Recall the surface and core temperatures of the Sun. (22.2)
    6. What is equilibrium in a star? (Figure 23.6 pg. 616)
    7. How long will the fuel for nuclear reactions in the Sun last?
    8. What happens in the core of a star when hydrogen fusion ends?
    9. What are the two main facts that set a red giant star apart from a normal star like the sun? (23.5)
    10. What temperature is required to fuse helium in the core of a star? (23.5)
    11. What element is formed when helium is fused in stars? (23.5)
    12. What is a planetary nebula, and how is one formed?
    13. What is a white dwarf, and what is its approximate size?
    14. Discuss the fusion sequence of elements in the cores of massive stars leading to the production of iron (23.6)
    15. What is a supernova, and what causes one to occur? (23.6)
    16. When and where did the most recent supernova occur? (23.6)
    17. Discuss what happens to the remnant material from dead stars.
    18. Describe the composition of a neutron star. (23.7)
    19. How much mass must a dead star have to become a neutron star?
    20. What is the approximate radius of a neutron star? (23.7)
    21. What is a pulsar? (23.7)
    22. Compare a pulsar with a neutron star. (23.7)
    23. Explain the Crab Nebula event. (23.7: Fig 23.15)
    24. Compare and contrast the sequence of events in the life of lightweight and heavyweight stars. (23.7)
    25. Under what conditions can a star become a black hole? (23.7)
    26. How much mass must a dead star have to become a black hole?
    27. Why is a black hole called a Òblack hole?Ó (23.7)
    28. How can a black hole be detected? (23.7)

    Lesson #30

    1. What is a galaxy? (24.1)
    2. Describe the first accurate estimate of the size of our galaxy. (24.1)
    3. Where is the sun located in our galaxy? (24.1)
    4. Discuss the characteristics of a globular cluster. (24.1)
    5. Describe the work of Harlow Shapley. (24.1)
    6. What is the approximate diameter of the Milky Way Galaxy?
    7. Compare the Andromeda Galaxy with the Milky Way Galaxy.
    8. Compare the age and chemical composition of stars in the core of the galaxy with stars like our Sun. (24.1)
    9. Describe the motion of the Sun in our galaxy. (24.1)
    10. What are quasars? (24.3)

    Lesson #31

    1. What is cosmology? (24.4)
    2. Explain how the chemical composition of the universe is an evolutionary clock. (24.4)
    3. When did the Big Bang occur? (24.4)
    4. How much hydrogen and helium existed at the moment of the Big Bang? (24.4)
    5. How long after the Big Bang had 75% of known matter become hydrogen and 25% become helium? (24.4)
    6. Describe two possible fates of the universe (Figure 24.17)
    7. What is meant by the oscillating universe? (24.4)
    8. What is meant by dark matter? (24.4)