PHYS211
PHYS211 (University Physics: Mechanics) is the first required physics course in the Electrical and Computer Engineering curriculum, and covers the fundamentals of calculus based mechanics.
Who Should Take the Exam
If you have a solid background in Physics Mechanics at the level of at least AP Physics C, then you should consider taking the proficiency exam for PHYS221. ECE students (and most engineering students) typically take PHYS211 within their first two semesters, with PHYS211 being a prerequisite for PHYS212 (University Physics: Elec & Mag) and a requirement for Junior Eligibility.
You can still take PHYS211 even if you pass the proficiency exam, and there is no penalty for failing the proficiency exam.
Content Covered
The content of the exams has typically been consistent with the contents of the final exam for this course. You can also look at the course website of the current or past semester for a list of topics in the schedule tab. Though the topics have been very consistent over semesters.
- 1-D Kinematics
- Vectors and 2-D Kinematics
- Relative and Circular Motion
- Newton's Laws
- Forces and Free Body Diagrams
- Friction
- Work and Kinetic Energy
- Conservative Forces
- Work and Potential Energy
- Center of Mass
- Conservation of Momentum
- Elastic Collisions
- Impulse and Reference Frames
- Rotational Kinematics
- Parallel Axis Theorem
- Torque
- Rotational Dynamics
- Statics
- Angular Momentum
- Simple Harmonmic Motion
- Simple and Physical Pendula
- Harmonic Waves
- Waves and Superposition
- Fluid Statics
- Fluid Dynamics
Exam Format
The exam consists of both multiple choice and fill in the blank questions given through Prairietest. Typically, you are provided a formula sheet that can be accessed through the prairietest exam. The exam may cover all content in the course and is also used as a makeup final exam for students that have an IC grade in the class from the previous semester. (Incompletes, IC, are granted to students who have completed most of the course but were unable to complete the semester)
How to Prepare
The proficiency exam (in recent past) has been similar to the final exam for this course. Focus on making sure you understand the fundementals concepts and use the practice exams available through the previous semester's course website.
Practice exams for previous semesters' finals should be publicly available through the course website for PHYS211. You should be able to access this through the physics department website under the PHYS211 listing in their course catalog.
Life After
If you pass the PHYS211 proficiency exam, congrats! You have a fundamental understanding of mechanics and are ready to tackle the next physics challenge that comes your way. Namely PHYS212, if you are following the ECE curriculum!
If you don't pass the exam, no worries. The proficiency exam for PHYS211 is not meant to be easy and is not a reflection of your physics knowledge and skills. Your efforts to study the material before the semester will pay dividends and you will have an easier time than other students taking PHYS211.