Accelerated Physics I · Physics
I learned a lot of Physics and more math than I expected
Introductory Mechanics from a rigorous and more theoretical standpoint. Standout topics include Rigid Body Motion, Orbital Motion and Special Relativity. Derivation of many basic mechanical equations from first principle laws. Introduction to Numerical Integration Methods.
Usually one problem set a week. Sometimes he forgets to assign. Each problem set takes 8 to 10 hours for an average student.
Lots of analytical, modeling, and theoretical skills.
Mechanics and a ton of problem-solving/critical thinking
This course is only for those very interested in physics and/or math, and looking to challenge themselves. The materials covered are challenging but quite interesting. Mawhinney is very knowledgeable and goes at a reasonable pace; while the math is sometimes hard to follow, usually everything becomes clear with some self-study/reading the textbook. He is very nice and willing to answer any questions you have during class or after class, and also tends to be available during office hours. He always goes through the easiest concepts in a topic before moving on to the hard stuff, which is good for refreshing one's memory. He also likes to go through bits of history behind the physics which not everyone likes. Exams are very hard but he curves generously. Overall this is a rewarding class and I would recommend it.
I feel like we covered so much that I learned nothing.
Newton's Laws, Kinematics, Energy, Angular Momentum, Uniform Circular Motion, Fictitious Forces, Rigid Body Motion, simple harmonic motion, Lots of Celestial Body Movement (including calculating orbits, specific energy, eccentricity, apastrons and periastrons, LRL vector, Kepler's Laws, Kepler 2 Body Problem), Special Relativity in depth, numerical analysis methods using MatLab, and so much more. Basically a more rigorous look at AP Physics C: Mechanics before the midterm and then rigid body motion/simple harmonic motion/celestial movement/special relativity after midterm.
Mechanics (kinematics, dynamics, rotational motion, rigid body motion, etc.), Gravitation, Special Relativity
High school physics but with with calculus and linear algebra