Vietnam National University – HCMC

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Faculty of Applied Science
SYLLABUS

GENERAL PHYSICS A1

Number of credits 4 (3.2.7) Code

Number of hours Total: 75 Theory: 45 Practice: 30 Labs: 0 Project: x
% Evaluation Ass.: 10% Labs: 0 MTest: 30% Project: 10% Exam: 50%
- Ass. : Assignment, homework
- MTest: Midterm test (60’)
- Exam: Final Exam (90%)
- Project: group assignment
Training program Engineering and technology programs
Level Undergraduate
Course level 1
Comment

1. Course Ouline
Providing the basic knowledge of physics at university level; base on which students can learn and
study engineering. Contributing to training deductive method of sciences, empirical research
methods, scientific logical thinking and behaviors necessary for an engineer. Namely
A. Providing to students with a thorough understanding of basic concepts of physics and the
methods that scientists use to explore natural phenomena, including observation, hypothesis
development, measurement and data collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence, and using
mathematical analysis.
B. Instructing students the fundamental laws of physics and the application of scientific
data, concepts, and models used in the natural sciences and specific situations.
C. Providing to students problem solving skills by approaching methods to describe physical
phenomena with relevant mathematical models and formulae.
D. Developing mathematical skills of students to manipulate formulae and derive correct
numerical solutions that can be measured in the practice.
E. Helping students using computers effectively as a tool of data collection, analysis, and
communication.
Course includes: Mechanics – thermodynamics - electricity and magnetism

2. Textbooks
[1] Nguyen Thi Be Bay et al., General Physics A1, HCMUT Textbook, 2009.
[2] R.A.Serway, J.W.Jewett, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 6th Ed., Thomson 2004.

3. Course Learning Outcomes

STT Course learning outcomes CDIO

L.O.1 Understanding well the basics of physics at university level. At the 1.1.5
end of the course, students will be able to realize the basic principles
of mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism. Students
can understand the underlying physics concepts used in daily life.

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 L.O.2 Having a capacity of scientific reasoning, logic, as a basis for 2.1, 2.2
research and engineering in the future.
L.O.3 Obtaining the capacity of self-learning, research, drafting and 2.1, 2.3
presentation (written and spoken) physics related topics.
L.O.4 Using Matlab to calculate a given task in Mechanics – 4.4, 4.5
thermodynamics - electricity and magnetism.
L.0.5 Demonstrate overall awareness of mentioned knowledge and the 2.3, 3.1, 4.1
role of engineer in physics application

4. Learning Strategies & Assessment Scheme

Learning Strategies:
Since the program for a term is too long, to ensure the learning outcomes, students must:
- get all related text books, workbooks.
- Take course work fulltime;
- Complete all e-learning exercises within the limit time and know how to implement and achieve
specified levels
- Organizing group learning activities to complete assignments or presentations;
- Regularly review lectures to avoid broken works at mid-term and final exams.
Assessment Scheme:
- Midterm Test: 30%
- Final Exam: 50%
- Assignment: 20%
+ E-learning test (complete all exercises self-assessment on e-learning)
+ Assignment (calculated by Matlab) or group presentation (each group exercises for about 10
topics)

5. Content
Week / Contents Specific learning outcomes Teaching & learning
Chapter activities Assessment

Introduction to the course L.0.3 - Obtaining the

capacity of self-learning,
- Personal information of research, drafting and Teacher:
intructors presentation (written - Introduce himself
- Course policies and spoken) physics - Go through the course
- Teaching & learning related topics. syllabus and
strategies - Explain individual and
group activities
- Facilitate group
discussion

MECHANICS
L.0.1 - Understanding
1 1. PHYSICS AND
MEASUREMENT.
well the basics of Assignment
–2 E-learning
Standards of Length, Mass, physics at the university -Students should use m s
and Time.Matter and Model level. not m/s2 and m s–1 not tests
m/s Mid-term
Building. L.0.2 - Having a exam
Density and Atomic Mass. capacity of scientific
Dimensional Analysis.
Conversion of Units.
reasoning, logic, as a

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Week / Contents Specific learning outcomes Teaching & learning
Chapter activities Assessment

Estimates and Order-of- basis for research and

Magnitude Calculations. engineering in the
future.
L.0.3 - Obtaining the
capacity of self-learning,
research, drafting and
2. FUNDAMENTALS OF presentation (written Teacher: Assignment
KINEMATICS -Quantities should be E-learning
and spoken) physics identified as scalar or
The Position, Velocity, and tests
Acceleration Vectors. related topics. vector quantities. Mid-term
Two-Dimensional Motions exam
with Constant Acceleration. -Students should be able
Projectile Motion. to sketch and label
Uniform Circular Motion. these graphs for various
Tangential and Radial situations. They should
Acceleration. also be able to write
Relative Velocity and descriptions of the
Relative Acceleration. motions represented by
such graphs.

3 3. DYNAMICS OF L.0.1 - Understanding Teacher: Assignment

PARTICLES well the basics of Each force should be E-learning
The Concept of Forces. labelled by name or given tests
Newton's First Law and physics at the university a commonly accepted Mid-term
Inertial Frames. level. symbol. Vectors should exam
Mass. L.0.2 - Having a have lengths
Newton's Second Law. capacity of scientific approximately
The Gravitational Force and reasoning, logic, as a proportional to their
Weight. magnitudes
Newton's Third Law. basis for research and
Some Applications of engineering in the Students should be
Newton's Laws. future. familiar with the law
Forces of Friction. L.0.3 - Obtaining the expressed as:
Systems and Environments. capacity of self-learning, F =ma and
Work done by a Constant F=∆p/∆t
Force. research, drafting and
The Scalar Product of Two presentation (written Students should
Vectors. and spoken) physics understand that when two
Work done by a Varying related topics. bodies A and B interact,
Force. the force that A exerts on
Kinetic Energy and the B is equal and opposite to
Work--Kinetic Energy the force that B exerts on
Theorem. A..
The Non-Isolated System--
Conservation of Energy. Students should be
Situations Involving Kinetic familiar with situations
Friction. where the displacement is
Power. not in the same direction
Potential Energy of a System. as the force.
The Isolated System--
Conservation of Mechanical
Energy.
Conservative and
Nonconservative Forces.
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Week / Contents Specific learning outcomes Teaching & learning
Chapter activities Assessment

Changes in Mechanical
Energy for Nonconservative
Forces.
Relationship Between
Conservative Forces and
Potential Energy.
Energy Diagrams and
Equilibrium of a System.
Newton's Law of Universal
Gravitation.
Measuring the Gravitational
Constant.
Free-Fall Acceleration and
the Gravitational Force.
Kepler's Laws and the
Motion of Planets.
The Gravitational Field.
Gravitational Potential
Energy.

4 4. DYNAMICS OF L.0.1 - Understanding Assignment

PARTICLE SYSTEMS. well the basics of E-learning
MECHANICS OF RIGID tests
BODIES.
physics at the university Mid-term
Linear Momentum and Its level. exam
Conservation. L.0.2 - Having a
Impulse and Momentum. capacity of scientific
Collisions in One Dimension. reasoning, logic, as a
Two-Dimensional Collisions.
The Center of Mass. basis for research and
Motion of a System of engineering in the
Particles. future.
Angular Position, Velocity, L.0.3 - Obtaining the
and Acceleration. capacity of self-learning,
Rotational Kinematics:
Rotational Motion with
research, drafting and
Constant Angular presentation (written
Acceleration. and spoken) physics
Angular and Linear related topics.
Quantities.
Rotational Kinetic Energy.
Calculation of Moments of
Inertia.
Torque.
Relationship Between Torque
and Angular Acceleration.
Work, Power, and Energy in
Rotational Motion.
Rolling Motion of a Rigid
Object.
The Vector Product and
Torque.
Angular Momentum.
Angular Momentum of a
Rotating Rigid Object.
Conservation of Angular
Momentum.
Angular Momentum as a
Fundamental Quantity.

THERMODYNAMICS L.0.1 - Understanding

well the basics of
5 5. TEMPERATURE -Students should be aware Assignment
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Week / Contents Specific learning outcomes Teaching & learning
Chapter activities Assessment

Temperature and the Zeroth physics at the university that an ideal gas is one E-learning
Law of Thermodynamics. level. that has the equation of tests
Thermometers and the state PV = nRT and that Semester
Celsius Temperature Scale. L.0.2 - Having a this equation also defines exam
The Constant-Volume Gas capacity of scientific the universal gas constant
Thermometer and the reasoning, logic, as a R.
Absolute Temperature Scale. basis for research and
Thermal Expansion of Solids engineering in the -Students should be aware
and Liquids. of the circumstances in
Macroscopic Description of future. which real gas behaviour
an Ideal Gas. L.0.3 - Obtaining the approximates to ideal gas
capacity of self-learning, behaviour. Students
research, drafting and should also appreciate
presentation (written that ideal gases cannot be
liquefied.
and spoken) physics
related topics.
6 6. HEAT AND THE FIRST L.0.1 - Understanding - A statement that the Assignment
LAW OF well the basics of overall entropy of the E-learning
THERMODYNAMICS universe tests
Heat and Internal Energy. physics at the university is increasing will suffice Semester
Specific Heat and level. or that all natural exam
Calorimetry. L.0.2 - Having a processes
Latent Heat. capacity of scientific increase the entropy of
Work and Heat in reasoning, logic, as a the universe
Thermodynamic Processes.
The First Law of
basis for research and
Thermodynamics. engineering in the
Some Applications of the future.
First Law of L.0.3 - Obtaining the
Thermodynamics. capacity of self-learning,
Energy Transfer
Mechanisms. research, drafting and
Kinetic Theory of an Ideal presentation (written
Gas. and spoken) physics
Molar Specific Heat of an related topics.
Ideal Gas.
Adiabatic Processes for an
Ideal Gas.
The Equipartition of Energy.
The Boltzmann Distribution
Law.
Distribution of Molecular
Speeds/ Mean Free Path.

7. HEAT ENGINES,
ENTROPY, AND THE -Students should Assignment
SECOND LAW OF understand that, although E-learning
THERMODYNAMICS local entropy may tests
Heat Engines and the Second decrease, any process will Semester
Law of Thermodynamics. increase the total entropy exam
Heat Pumps and of the system and
Refrigerators. surroundings, that is, the
Reversible and Irreversible universe.
Processes.
The Carnot Engine. Gasoline
and Diesel Engines.
Entropy.
Entropy Changes in
Irreversible Processes.
Entropy on a Microscopic
Scale.
ELECTRICITY AND L.0.1 - Understanding
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Week / Contents Specific learning outcomes Teaching & learning
Chapter activities Assessment

MAGNETISM well the basics of

physics at the university
8 8. ELECTROSTATICS Students should be aware Assignment
Properties of Electric level. that the charges in the E-learning
Charges. L.0.2 - Having a force law are point tests
Charging Objects by capacity of scientific charges. Semester
Induction. reasoning, logic, as a exam
Coulomb's Law. basis for research and Students should
The Electric Field. understand the concept of
Electric Field of a engineering in the a test charge.These
Continuous Charge future. include the fields due to
Distribution. L.0.3 - Obtaining the the following charge
Electric Field Lines. capacity of self-learning, configurations: a point
Motion of Charged Particles research, drafting and charge, a charged sphere,
in a Uniform Electric Field. two point charges, and
Electric Flux. presentation (written oppositely charged
Gauss's Law. and spoken) physics parallel plates. The latter
Application of Gauss's Law related topics. includes the edge effect.
to Various Charge
Distributions.
Conductors in Electrostatic
Equilibrium.
Formal Derivation of Gauss's
Law.
Potential Difference and
Electric Potential.
Potential Differences in a
Uniform Electric Field.
Electric Potential and
Potential Energy Due to
Point Charges.
Obtaining the Value of the
Electric Field from the
Electric Potential.
Electric Potential Due to
Continuous Charge
Distributions.
Electric Potential Due to a
Charged Conductor.
Applications of
Electrostatics.
9 9. CAPACITANCE AND L.0.1 - Understanding It is sufficient for students Assignment
DIELECTRICS well the basics of to know that current E-learning
Definition of Capacitance. is defined in terms of the tests
Calculating Capacitance. physics at the university force per unit length Semester
Combinations of Capacitors. level. between parallel current- exam
Energy Stored in a Charged L.0.2 - Having a carrying conductors.
Capacitor. capacity of scientific
Capacitors with Dielectrics. reasoning, logic, as a Students should be aware
Electric Dipole in an Electric that R = V/I is a general
Field. basis for research and
engineering in the definition of resistance. It
An Atomic Description of is not a statement of
Dielectrics. future. Ohm’s law. Students
L.0.3 - Obtaining the should understand what is
10. CURRENT AND capacity of self-learning, meant by resistor
RESISTANCE
Electric Current. research, drafting and
Resistance. presentation (written
A Model for Electrical and spoken) physics
Conduction. related topics.
Resistance and Temperature.
Superconductors.
Electrical Power.
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Week / Contents Specific learning outcomes Teaching & learning
Chapter activities Assessment

Electromotive Force
Resistors in Series and
Parallel.
Kirchhoff's Rules.
RC Circuits.
Electrical Meters.
Household Wiring and
Electrical Safety.

11 11. MAGNETOSTATICS L.0.1 - Understanding Students should Assignment

Magnetic Field and Forces. well the basics of understand what is meant E-learning
Magnetic Force Acting on a by radial field tests
Current-Carrying Conductor.
physics at the university Semester
Torque on a Current Loop in level. -These include the fields exam
a Uniform Magnetic Field. L.0.2 - Having a due to currents in a
Motion of a Charged Particle capacity of scientific straight wire, a flat
in a Uniform Magnetic Field. reasoning, logic, as a circular coil and a
Applications Involving solenoid.
Charged Particles Moving in basis for research and
a Magnetic Field. engineering in the -Different rules may be
The Hall Effect. future. used to determine the
The Biot-Savart Law. L.0.3 - Obtaining the force direction.
The Magnetic Force Between capacity of self-learning, Knowledge of any
Two Parallel Conductors. particular rule is not
Ampere's Law.
research, drafting and
presentation (written required.
The Magnetic Field of a
Solenoid. Magnetic Flux. and spoken) physics
Gauss's Law in Magnetism. related topics.
Displacement Current and the
General Form of Ampere's
Law.
Magnetism in Matter.
The Magnetic Field of the
Earth.
12 12. FARADAY'S LAW L.0.1 - Understanding Assignment
Faraday's Law of Induction. well the basics of E-learning
Motional emf. tests
Lenz's Law. physics at the university Semester
Induced emf and Electric level. exam
Fields. L.0.2 - Having a
Generators and Motors/ Eddy capacity of scientific
Currents. reasoning, logic, as a
Maxwell's Equations.
Self-Inductance. basis for research and
RL Circuits. engineering in the
Energy in a Magnetic Field. future.
Mutual Inductance. L.0.3 - Obtaining the
Oscillations in an LC Circuit.capacity of self-learning,
The RLC Circuit.
research, drafting and
presentation (written
and spoken) physics
related topics.
** Overview and Project L.0.1 - Understanding Lecturer: overview of
presentation well the basics of the course
physics at the university Student: presenting
level. At the end of the their project
course, students will be
able to realize the basic
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Week / Contents Specific learning outcomes Teaching & learning
Chapter activities Assessment

principles of EM fields
and Maxwell's
equations, oscillations
and waves, wave optics,
quantum optics, basis of
quantum mechanics,
theory of relativity,
atomic physics, nuclear
physics... Students will
be able to understand
the underlying physics
concepts used in daily
life.
L.0.2 - Having a
capacity of scientific
reasoning, logic, as a
basis for research and
engineering in the
future.
L.0.3 - Obtaining the
capacity of self-learning,
research, drafting and
presentation (written
and spoken) physics
related topics.
L.0.4 - Using Matlab to
calculate a given task in
Mechanics –
thermodynamics -
electricity and
magnetism.
L.0.5 - Demonstrate
overall awareness of
mentioned knowledge
and the role of engineer
in physics application

** Self-assessment exercises
content reports / essays /
practice
a) The test e-learning self-
assessment
Requirements: Students must
complete all of the multiple
choice quiz on the e-learning
according to the time and
method of implementation.
b1) Use Matlab or other
calculation program to
calculate a number of topics
in Physics A1
Requirements: Using
complex calculations
(solving differential
equations, matrix algebra,

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Week / Contents Specific learning outcomes Teaching & learning
Chapter activities Assessment

etc.) and tools graph to

represent the physical results
in a scientific and intuitive.
b2) To organize the drafting
and presentation of topics
relevant physics.
Requirements: Work group
effectiveness in
understanding the document,
discuss general editor,
presented scientific reports
according to prescribed
standards, promote public
presentation skills.
** Content limit for mid-term
test (focus)
Mechanics – Chapter 1-2-3
** Final exam content (focus)
Thermodynamics - electricity
and magnetism: Chapter 4 -
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6. Contact address

Department/Faculty Department of Applied Physics / Faculty of Applied Siences

Office P.102B4
Tel. number
Instructor Huynh Quang Linh
Email [email protected]

Date: 12/10/2015

Dean of Faculty Department Head Instructor

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