MSCE Physics study plan

Derive and apply the four kinematic equations for constant acceleration, including free-fall and projectile cases

Construct and interpret position-time, velocity-time, and acceleration-time graphs and convert between them

Resolve vectors into components and solve 2D projectile problems with horizontal launch and angled launch

Distinguish distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration and correct misuse in worked problems

Draw correct free-body diagrams for single and multi-body systems including inclines, pulleys, and friction

Apply Newton's three laws to solve for unknown forces and accelerations in connected-body systems

Solve static and kinetic friction problems and identify when the normal force differs from weight

Solve uniform circular motion problems and identify the centripetal force source in each case

Apply work-energy theorem and conservation of mechanical energy to systems with and without non-conservative forces

Calculate power in mechanical and electrical contexts and connect it to rate of energy transfer

Apply conservation of linear momentum to 1D and 2D collisions and classify collisions as elastic or inelastic

Distinguish conservative from non-conservative forces and explain the role of potential energy functions

Apply Coulomb's law and superposition to multi-charge configurations in 1D and 2D

Sketch electric field lines and calculate field strength for point charges and parallel plates

Apply Ohm's law and Kirchhoff's rules to series, parallel, and mixed circuits

Calculate equivalent resistance and power dissipation in multi-resistor networks

Apply the wave equation to solve for frequency, wavelength, and speed across media

Analyze reflection, refraction, and total internal reflection using Snell's law and critical angle

Solve thin-lens and mirror problems using the lens equation and construct accurate ray diagrams

Analyze standing waves on strings and in pipes, including harmonics and boundary conditions

Apply the Doppler effect to moving source and moving observer scenarios

Apply the first law of thermodynamics to isothermal, isobaric, isochoric, and adiabatic processes

Distinguish heat, temperature, and internal energy and calculate heat transfer with specific and latent heat

Apply the kinetic theory of gases to relate temperature to average molecular kinetic energy

State and apply the second law of thermodynamics and calculate Carnot efficiency

Apply time dilation, length contraction, and mass-energy equivalence to quantitative problems

Calculate photon energy, work function, and stopping potential in the photoelectric effect

Describe the Bohr model and calculate energy-level transitions and emitted photon wavelengths

Write and balance nuclear decay equations and apply half-life to activity problems

Design a controlled experiment with clearly identified independent, dependent, and controlled variables

Evaluate measurement uncertainty, significant figures, and propagation of error in reported results

Identify laboratory safety hazards and specify appropriate mitigation for common physics lab setups

Construct assessment items that target specific misconceptions and align to measurable learning objectives

Assemble a timed full-length practice test and analyze error patterns by domain