General Physics

The main objective of this course is to teach you how to pose and solve simple physics problems. The areas of application are point particle mechanics and geometric optics.

Mechanics of the material point:

• Statics: study of mechanical systems in equilibrium.
• Kinematics: the study of the motion of bodies independently of the causes that produce it.
• Dynamics: links between the causes of motion and motion itself.
• Work and energy: work done by forces (conservative and non-conservative), kinetic energy theorem, mechanical energy theorem, and their applications.

Geometric optics:

• Propagation of light (Fermat's principle, Snell-Descartes laws, refractive index)
• Image formation and optical systems (stigmatism, Gaussian approximation, mirrors, thin lenses, dispersive systems, centered systems, optical instruments).

Mechanics of the material point

Understanding mechanics is fundamental to many other topics in physics. That is why, as in most introductory physics courses, it occupies a particularly important place in our course. In this course, we will limit ourselves to the study of material points, a prerequisite for the study of more complex systems.

If you work conscientiously on the content and assignments for this course, you will be able to...

• explain the basic concepts of mechanics: force, mechanical equilibrium, momentum, work, mechanical energy;
• calculate the components of a force in a given coordinate system, and calculate the resultant of a system of forces;
• apply the universal law of gravitation to material points and, from there, calculate the weight;
• handle simple problems involving bodies in which solid friction is taken into account;
• Derive the equations of motion and solve them to obtain the hourly equations for certain simple motions: free fall, vertical jet, inclined jet, sliding on an inclined plane.
• state Newton's laws and explain the connection between them and the basic physical concepts mentioned above;
• apply the law of conservation of mechanical energy to material points;
• describe the motion of a material point on a circular trajectory using polar coordinates.

Geometric optics

If you work conscientiously on the content and assignments for this course, you will be able to explain how light propagates, how images are formed, and how simple optical systems (magnifying glasses, prisms, microscopes, telescopes, etc.) work.

Required prerequisites*:

Knowledge of mathematics and science at the French baccalaureate level, or equivalent.

Recommended prerequisites:

• Recommendations for 11th grade: Mathematics and at least one of the following two specializations: Physics-Chemistry or Engineering Sciences.
• Recommendations for senior year: Mathematics and Physics-Chemistry or Mathematics and Engineering Sciences or Physics-Chemistry and Engineering Sciences and additional mathematics option.

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