General Physics

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

Mechanics of the Material Point:

• Statics: Analysis of Mechanical Systems in Equilibrium.
• Kinematics: the study of the motion of bodies, independent of the causes that produce it.
• Dynamics: the relationships between the causes of motion and motion itself.
• Work and Energy: Work Done by Forces (Conservative and Non-Conservative), the Kinetic Energy Theorem, the Mechanical Energy Theorem, and Their Applications.

Geometric Optics:

• Light Propagation (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

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

If you work diligently on the course content and assignments, you will be able to ...

• explain the basic concepts of mechanics: force, mechanical equilibrium, momentum, work, and 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, based on that, calculate weight;
• solve simple problems involving objects in which solid friction is taken into account;
• derive the equations of motion and solve them to obtain the equations of motion for certain simple motions: free fall, vertical projectile motion, inclined projectile motion, and sliding down 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 along a circular path using polar coordinates.

Geometric Optics

If you work diligently on the course material and assignments, you will be able to explain how light travels, 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*:

• Recommended courses for 11th grade: Mathematics and at least one specialized course from the following two options: Physics-Chemistry or Engineering Sciences.
• Recommended courses for the final year of high school: Mathematics and Physics-Chemistry ; or Mathematics and Engineering Sciences ; or Physics-Chemistry and Engineering Sciences, along with the supplementary mathematics elective.

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