How to Use the Syllabus

Module 1

Main Progression - Kinematics, Newton's Laws, Work Energy & Power, and Momentum & Impulse. These are the foundation subjects of mechanics.

Review & Preview - Take a tour of Physics as a whole. Review the structure of Physics and the main ideas throughout the discipline.

Knowledge Mapping - Get the fundamental concepts of mechanics talking together. Preview gravitational and electrostatic systems from the point of view of mechanics.

Essay & Verbal Reasoning - Take a Verbal Reasoning practice section. Analyze your strengths and weaknesses in for the different types of verbal reasoning questions. Write your first essay.

Main Progression

Videos

Assignments

Browse the figures and the Kinematics Terminology in the MCAT Primer before beginning your main assignments. As we go through the course, you need to take this time at the beginning of each topic to establish the field of reference before watching the videos or completing the other work. After about fifteen minutes of study, ensure familiarity with the basic Kinematics vocabulary by completing the fundamental terms Crossword Puzzle without pausing. Here is the Solution The MCAT Primer vocabulary is also available for online drill at the Question Server. Study the Concept and Question Kinematics cards of the WikiPremed physics cards. The Physics Videos rely on this content fairly heavily, so it may be helpful to make it through at least one cycle before watching the video for Kinematics. Although all of the cards are online, the printed version seems to help many maintain better focus. Carefully study the WikiPremed Kinematics Chapter. Click to download. Reinforce with the conceptual discussions on Kinematics in Examkrackers Physics, pp 1-16. (Note - we are saving the chapter exams in Examkrackers for a later study cycle in the course). Perform the Kinematics Practice Items, and for supplemental practice, perform questions 1-24 in Examkrackers Physics, pp 1-16. Here is the Answer Key for the problem set. Review the Web Resources for Kinematics at the topic level in the learning center. Click "Next Topic" to scroll through the topic level. The HyperPhysics links in this chapter are highly recommended, as are the PY105 notes.

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Goals

	Be able to define displacement, velocity, and acceleration in clear, conversational language.
	Reproduce the four equations of kinematics from memory and achieve facility in solving straightforward quantitative problems.
	Be able to explain the difference between vector and scalar quantities and perform basic vector operations.
	Describe how an object may accelerate yet still have a constant speed.
	Be capable of fluently applying the concepts of uniform circular motion and projectile motion for problem solving.

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Videos

Assignments

Browse the images and formulas and study the Newton's Laws vocabulary (at least through Level 3) in the MCAT Primer. Test yourself on the basic terms with the Crossword Puzzle for Newton's Laws. See if you can complete it without pausing. Here is the Solution. You can also work on the Newton's Laws vocabulary online at the Question Server. Establish mastery of the fundamentals with the Concept and Question cards for Newton's Laws from either the online or printed version of the physics cards. Study the Newton's Laws Chapter. Reinforce with the conceptual discussions in Examkrackers Physics, pp 17-38 (All of Lecture 2 and the 1st section of Lecture 3). Perform the Newton's Laws Practice Items, and for supplemental practice, questions 25-56 in Examkrackers Physics, pp 17-38. Here is the Answer Key for the problem set. Finish your Main Progression work on Newton's Laws with a review tour of the Newton's Laws external resources in the Learning Center. This time the link will send you to the Chapter Level in the Learning Center, so click through the topics to scroll through the topic specific web resources. The Web Resources are at the Topic Level, not the Chapter Level in the Learning Center. HyperPhysics is highly recommended, as are the PY105 notes. The Monterey multimedia presentations are excellent, especially if physics has not been a strength in the past.

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Goals

	Gain the ability to clearly recall and express Newton's Laws of Motion in plain English.
	Pay special attention to Newton's Second Law, understanding the basic relationship between force interactions and changes in an object's state of motion.
	Move beyond the traditional 'contact forces' of mechanics to include an understanding of the classical fundamental forces and their relationship to Newton's Laws. Compare and contrast the gravitational force and the electrostatic force.
	Be able to distinguish mass and weight.
	Become comfortable solving problems involving kinetic and static friction.
	Understand how to construct free body diagrams, especially for classic model problems such as the inclined plane, the elevator, and objects suspended from multiple cables.

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Videos

Assignments

Browse the images and formulas and study the Work, Energy & Power vocabulary (at least through Level 3) in the MCAT Primer. Perform a final drill with the question mask. Then test yourself on the basic terms with the Crossword Puzzle. Here is the Solution. You can also work on the vocabulary online at the Question Server. Try to get a clear sense of the conceptual space of the topic. Make one or two thorough cycles through the Concept and Question cards for Work & Energy from the WikiPremed Physics Cards using either the printed or the online version. Study the Work & Energy PDF Chapter. Reinforce with the conceptual discussions in Examkrackers Physics, pp 45-51 and pp 60-62. Perform the Work & Energy Practice Items Here is the Answer Key. For supplemental practice problems 65-72 (pp 45-51) and 81-88 (pp 60-62) in Examkrackers Physics. Finish your Main Progression work on Work, Energy & Power with a review tour of the Work, Energy, and Power resources in the Learning Center. Go topic by topic.

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Goals

	Understand the definition of mechanical work and comprehend the relationship between the direction of the force and displacement vectors in determining the work performed.
	Master basic quantitative problem solving involving potential and kinetic energy. Be able to verbalize the relationships.
	Be able to imaginatively visualize changes in potential energy in such systems as an object near the earth's surface, a mass-spring, and basic electrostatic systems.
	Understand what is meant by 'binding energy'.
	Explain the difference between conservative and non-conservative forces.
	Understand the principles underlying force multiplication with simple machines such as levers and pulleys.
	Master basic problem solving using the concept of power within different contexts.

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Videos

Assignments

Browse the images and formulas and study the Momentum & Impulse vocabulary (at least through Level 3) in the MCAT Primer. Use the question mask for a final drill and then test yourself on the basic terms with the Crossword Puzzle. Here is the Solution. You can also work on the vocabulary online at the Question Server. Study the Momentum & Impulse PDF Chapter. Reinforce with the conceptual discussions in Examkrackers Physics, pp 53-57. Perform the problems in the Momentum & Impulse Practice Items. Here is the Answer Key. Supplement with problems 73-80 on pp. 58-59 in Examkrackers Physics. Take a review tour of the Momentum & Impulse resources in the Learning Center. Ensure mastery with the Concept and Question cards for Momentum & Impulse from the physics cards. See if you can comfortably work through the question cards.

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Goals

	Be able to define momentum in a conceptual, intuitive way, i.e. not only as 'product of mass and velocity' but as an impetus.
	Apply the Impulse-Momentum Theorem both as a tool for quantitative problem-solving and as a conceptual framework. Be able to explain what it means to say 'force is the rate of change of momentum'.
	Be capable of applying Conservation of Momentum to understand change within a variety of mechanical systems.
	Be comfortable distinguishing elastic, inelastic, and perfectly inelastic collisions and solve basic quantitative problems involving these types of collisions.

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Review & Preview

 

Knowledge Mapping

 

Verbal Reasoning

Assignments

Read the WikiPremed treatment of Verbal Reasoning on the MCAT. Read Lecture 1 in Examkrackers Verbal Reasoning and take the 1st In-Class Exam. Go through the test you completed. Label every question by type in the margin: Main Idea, Author's Tone, Thematic Extension, Specific Inference, or Facts & Information. Which types seem to be giving the most problems? In the ones you missed, how do your chosen answers differ from the correct answers?

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Goals

	Begin learning how to recognize verbal reasoning questions by type: Main Idea, Author's Tone, Thematic Extension, Specific Inference and Facts & Information
Verbal Reasoning Tip of the Week Difficult Verbal Reasoning questions often settle down to two answers. The best answer seems hard to choose from t he two. To get unstuck, don't look for the BEST answer. Try choosing the LEAST WORST.

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Essay

MECHANICS & WAVES Kinematics Newton's Laws Work, Energy, & Power Momentum & Impulse Rotation   Harmonic Motion Elastic Properties of Solids Fluid Mechanics Waves FUNDAMENTAL FORCES Gravitation Electricity THE STRUCTURE OF MATTER Atomic Theory Periodic Properties The Chemical Bond Intermolecular Forces Functional Groups Stereochemistry THERMODYNAMICS & KINETICS Temperature & Heat Flow Ideal Gas & Kinetic Theory 1st Law of Thermodynamics Stoichiometry Thermochemistry 2nd Law & Heat Engines Chemical Thermodynamics The States of Matter Orgo Physical Properties Chemical Kinetics

AQUEOUS SYSTEMS Water Solutions Acids & Bases Organic Acids & Bases ORGANIC REACTION CHEMISTRY Nucleophiles & Electrophiles Rearrangements Radical Intermediates Conjugation & Aromaticity Alkanes Alkenes  optional Alkynes  optional Alkyl Halides Allylic Conjugation Aromatic Compounds  optional Alcohols & Ethers Aldehydes & Ketones Carboxylic Acids Amines Phosphorus Compounds Sulfur Compounds Overall Review BIOMOLECULES Proteins Carbohydrates Nucleic Acids Lipids

THE CELL Biological Membranes The Prokaryotic Cell The Eukaryotic Cell BIOENERGETICS & BIOSYNTHESIS Coordination Chemistry Oxidation/Reduction Redox in Organic Chemistry Electrochemistry Cellular Respiration Photosynthesis  optional Integration of Metabolism GENETICS & REPRODUCTION Gene Expression Cellular Reproduction Mendelian Genetics Recombination & Mutation Molecular Biology Lab Human Genetics DIVERSITY OF LIFE Viruses Bacteria & Archaea Protista  taxonomy optional Fungi Plants  optional Animals  taxonomy optional Embryology Tissues & Histology

HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY Nervous System Sensory Systems Endocrine System Musculoskeletal System Cardiovascular System Blood Respiratory System Lymphatic System & Immunity Urinary System Digestive System Reproductive System POPULATION BIOLOGY Evolution Ecology ELECTROMAGNETISM, LIGHT, & MODERN PHYSICS Electricity DC Current Magnetism Electomagnetic Induction AC Current Properties of Light Geometric Optics Wave Optics Modern Physics  relativity optional Molecular Spectroscopy Nuclear Physics Overall Review