Physics 1100

The goal of this course is for students to enhance their view of the physical world by allowing them to acquire a basic understanding of the physical concepts involved with motion and forces, momentum and energy, rotation, gravitation, properties of matter, heat and thermodynamics, waves and sound, electricity and magnetism, light, and atomic/nuclear physics.

This course will focus on conceptual understanding rather than mathematical manipulation. However, as mathematics is the language of science, it is expected that you can perform basic algebraic calculations and recognize basic geometric relations throughout the course.

Class Announcements

Welcome to Physics 1100-001 & -002 (Fall 2025)

Please continue to monitor this space for important information and course updates.  This page will be updated on a regular basis.  (Last update: December 3rd, 2025.)  This page is currently under construction.

  • Your next Physics 1100 lecture will take place on Monday, December 8th, in BIC-3535 starting promptly at 9:00 AM.  Be sure to read Chapters 30 AND 31.  Be prepared to "celebrate" Chapter 30 with an Information Festival at the start of class and then Chapter 31 after we conclude our discussion of Chapter 30 on Monday.
  • Lecture notes are being made available.  Scroll down to the "Lecture Notes" section and click on the desired topic.
  • Thursday Lab Group (Section 002): Your next laboratory session will take place on Thursday, December 4th, in BIC-3F03 starting promptly at 9:00 AM.  Your entire Investigation #12 Magnetism & Electromagnetic Induction packet (pp. 205-220) will be due at the start (9:00 AM) of the session.  Also, be sure to print the lab materials for Investigation #13: Optics and complete the Pre-lab. The Pre-lab #13 will also be due at the start of your laboratory session on Thursday.
  • The MyOpenMath Homework 13: Light, Color, Reflection, and Refraction will be due on Friday, December 5th by 8:30 AM.  Note that there are two parts to the homework: 1) the multiple-choice Conceptual Questions, and 2) the numeric Exercises/Problems.  After the cut-off time has elapsed, you will no longer be able to make changes to the Conceptual Questions for credit.  However, you can still get 50% credit for completing any part of any numeric exercise/problem within 24 after the original cut-off time.
  • Tuesday Lab Group (Section 001): Your last laboratory session will take place on Tuesday, December 9th, in BIC-3F03 starting promptly at 9:00 AM.  Your entire Investigation #13 Optics packet (pp. 223-236) will be due at the start (9:00 AM) of the session.  Also, be sure to print the lab materials for Investigation #14: Atomic & Nuclear Physics and complete the Pre-lab when these are available. The Pre-lab #14 will also be due at the start of your laboratory session on Tuesday.
  • The MyOpenMath Homework 14: Light Waves and Photons will be due on Wednesday, December 10th by 8:30 AM.  Note that there are two parts to the homework: 1) the multiple-choice Conceptual Questions, and 2) the numeric Exercises/Problems.  After the cut-off time has elapsed, you will no longer be able to make changes to the Conceptual Questions for credit.  However, you can still get 50% credit for completing any part of any numeric exercise/problem within 24 after the original cut-off time.
  • The Final Exam is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, December 17th in our regular classroom (BIC-3535) starting promptly at 9:00 AM and ending promptly at 10:50 AM.  The exam will cover all the material presented in the course (Chapters 1-34).  You will be provided an formula sheet containing constants, conversions, equations, and a Periodic Table of Elements.  Scroll down to the "Exam Resources" section below to access a sample copy.
  • A Study Guide for the Final Exam is available.  Scroll down to the "Exam Resources" section below to access.

Class Resources

Lab Resources

Rules for Graphs (Click here to access an overview of how to and how NOT to make your graphs.)

Investigation #12: Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction

Pre-lab 12 Due at 9:00 AM on Thursday, November 20th at 9:00 AM (Sec. 002) or Tuesday, November 25th (Sec. 001).

Lab 12 Activities

Section 002: Needed at 9:00 AM on Thursday, November 20th and due at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, November 25th.

Section 001: Needed at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, November 18th and due at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, November 25th.

Lab 12 Homework

Due at 9:00 AM Tuesday, December 2nd at 9:00 AM (Sec. 001) or Thursday, December 4th (Sec. 002).

Investigation #13: Optics

Pre-lab 13 Due at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, December 2nd at 9:00 AM (Sec. 001) or Thursday, December 4th (Sec. 002).

Lab 13 Activities

Section 001: Needed at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, December 2nd and due at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, December 9th.

Section 002: Needed at 9:00 AM on Thursday, December 4th and due at 9:00 AM on Thursday, November 11th.

Lab 13 Homework

Due at 9:00 AM Tuesday, December 9th at 9:00 AM (Sec. 001) or Thursday, December 11th (Sec. 002).

Lecture Notes

Exam Resources

Study Guide for Exam 1

Sample Formula Sheet for Exam 1

Study Guide for Exam 2

Sample Equation Sheet for Exam 2

Study Guide for Final Exam (COMING SOON!)

Sample Formula Sheet for Final Exam

General Resources