Physics
Physics is one of the areas of study at WVC that are part of the science distribution requirements.
All students from WVC and the colleges and universities they transfer to are required to take general university requirements (GURs) that involve the main disciplines of a liberal arts education. This education includes the natural and physical sciences taught at WVC.
Physics for nonscience majors. Study of the basic fundamentals of physics, including
mechanics, heat, light, sound, electricity, magnetism and modern physics.
Study of the fundamental principles and applications of mechanics, including vectors,
static equilibrium, linear and rotational motion, Newton's laws, work, energy, and
momentum. Includes laboratory. Prerequisites: MATH 099, or equivalent, or instructor's
signature.
Study of the basic principles and applications of fluids, harmonic motion and waves,
thermodynamics, and geometric optics. Includes laboratory. Prerequisites: MATH 099,
or equivalent, or instructor's signature.
Study of the basic principles and applications of electricity and magnetism and an
introduction to modern physics. Includes laboratory. Prerequisites: MATH 099, or equivalent,
or instructor's signature.
The study of kinematics, statics, rotational motion and collisions. Topics include
one- and two-dimensional motion for point masses and rigid bodies, conservation laws
for momentum and energy, and equilibrium conditions. Laboratory included. Prerequisites:
one year high school physics, MATH& 151 or concurrent enrollment.
The study of simple harmonic motion, waves, temperature and heat. Topics include the
Ideal Gas Laws, the Laws of Thermodynamics, and thermodynamic systems. Electrostatics
through Gauss' law covered. Laboratory included. Prerequisites: one year high school
physics, PHYS& 221, MATH& 152 or concurrent enrollment.
The study of electrical and magnetic phenomena, starting with electric potential and
continuing on into optics and quantum mechanics. Topics include electrostatics, magnetostatics,
DC and AC circuit theory, and geometric ray optics. Laboratory included. Prerequisites:
one year high school physics, PHYS& 222, MATH& 153 or concurrent enrollment.