Unit 1

Kinematics: Dimensions, units, conversion factors, and significant figures [1]; Motion in one dimension [5].
Motion in 2D: Vector notational conventions and nomenclature, vectors of displacement, velocity and acceleration, projectile motion, and uniform circular motion; relative motion. [7]

Unit 2

Laws of motion: inertia, mass, and force, Newton’s laws, reference frames; gravitational and other forces; free body diagram analysis for simple applications; friction and contact forces, viscous drag force and terminal speed, uniform circular motion, banking of curved roads. [10]

Unit 3

Work and kinetic energy: scalar product of two vectors, kinetic energy and work-kinetic energy theorem, work done by gravitational and spring forces, power; Work and potential energy, conservative and non-conservative forces, conservation of mechanical energy; force from potential energy, energy diagrams and equilibrium; power. [8]

Unit 4

Centre of mass of point particles and composite objects, Newton’s law for centre of mass motion; linear momentum and its conservation, applications; impulsive forces, review of strategies for solving problems in elastic and inelastic collisions; rockets. [8]
Rotational motion about fixed axis: Rotational variables, linear vs angular variables; rotational kinetic energy, rotational inertia; torque, Newton’s II law for rotation; rotational work. [4]

Unit 5

Rolling without slipping on horizontal and inclined surfaces; conservation of angular momentum [2]; An overview of rotations about asymmetric axis, rate of change of angular momentum in three dimensions, torque; precession of spinning tops [1]; Equilibrium of simple systems [1].
Oscillations: simple harmonic motion, linear spring and Hooke’s law, spring-mass system, angular frequency, period, phase, connection with uniform circular motion, angular oscillations and torsion pendulums, small oscillations, average kinetic and potential energies, damped and forced oscillations, resonance, superposition. [5]

Description: This course is the most fundamental and singularly important course that introduces students to fundamental concepts and mechanics and initiates students to college level problem solving in physics. This course sets the learning paradigm and lays foundation for rest of physics.

Course Outcomes: After successful completion of the course, students shall be able to
CO1: understand and articulate the concepts and solve problems in basic kinematics in one and two dimensions, projectile and circular, and relative motions.
CO2: apply Newton’s law of motion to solve, with the help of a free-body diagram, for forces of equilibrium or acceleration, under contact forces, uniform gravity, for rectilinear and circular motions.
CO3: apply the concepts of kinetic energy, work – dot product of force and displacement, work- kinetic energy theorem, power, potential energy and relation to conservative forces, conservation energy, identify types of equilibrium.
CO4: apply Newton’s law for centre of mass motion, linear momentum and its conservation, impulse
CO5: understand and apply concepts in rotational motion about fixed axis. CO6: understand simple harmonic motion, free, damped and forced oscillations.

Evaluation Pattern: As in the rules for Assessment Procedure (R.14)

Skills and Employability: The entire contents of this course, tutorials and assignments lays conceptual/theoretical foundation for application of laws of physics to problems of scientific interest and builds skills required for a career as an educator/academician in schools, colleges, universities and coaching centres, as a professional researcher in government/industrial research organizations, and as a communicator of science in general.

1. D. Halliday, R. Resnick and J. Walker, Fundamentals of Physics, 10E, Ch. 2-11, 15.
2. Serway and Jewett, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 9E, Cengage Learning, 2013. Ch. 1-10, Ch. 15.
3. R.A. Freedman and H.D. Young, University Physics with Modern Physics, 14E, Pearson India.
4. Halliday, Resnick, and Krane, Physics, Vol. 1, 4th Ed., Wiley Indian Reprint.
5. C. Kittel et al, Mechanics – Berkeley Physics Course Vol. 1, 2E, Ch. 1 – 7, McGraw-Hill.
6. Feynman, Leighton and Sands, The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol.1, Narosa, 2008.