PHY 101 at Southern New Hampshire University is an algebra-based introduction to the fundamental concepts of physics.
The catalog lists motion, forces, energy, momentum, waves and the electromagnetic spectrum, and says students develop problem-solving skills and apply physical principles to interpret the world around them.
Most students take it to meet a science requirement. The main challenge is learning to turn a word problem into a diagram, a few equations and a clean piece of algebra, then to check that the answer makes sense.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Southern New Hampshire University |
| Course code | PHY 101 |
| Credits | 3 |
| Maths level | Algebra-based (no calculus) |
| Prerequisites | None listed in the SNHU catalog |
| Typical work | Problem sets, quizzes, written explanations (check your course for the exact list) |
What PHY 101 Covers
| Topic (from the catalog) | What you do with it |
|---|---|
| Motion | Describe position, velocity and acceleration, often with constant acceleration equations |
| Forces | Draw free-body diagrams and apply Newton's laws |
| Energy | Track kinetic, potential and work, and use conservation of energy |
| Momentum | Analyze collisions and impulses |
| Waves | Relate speed, frequency and wavelength |
| Electromagnetic spectrum | Place radio, visible light, X-rays and other waves in order and describe their properties |
Worked Examples in Algebra-Based Physics
Constant Acceleration
List what you know, pick the equation that contains your unknown and nothing else, then solve.
Example: A car starts from rest and accelerates at 2.0 m/s² for 8.0 s. Final speed: v = at = 2.0 x 8.0 = 16 m/s. Distance: d = ½at² = 0.5 x 2.0 x 8.0² = 64 m. Check: average speed is 8 m/s and 8 m/s x 8 s = 64 m, which agrees.
Energy Conservation
When friction is negligible, potential energy lost equals kinetic energy gained.
Example: A ball falls 5.0 m from rest. mgh = ½mv², so the mass cancels and v = √(2gh) = √(2 x 9.8 x 5.0) = √98, about 9.9 m/s. Noticing that mass cancels is a useful check.
Waves
The relation v = fλ links speed, frequency and wavelength. A wave of frequency 5.0 Hz and wavelength 2.0 m travels at 10 m/s.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Problem sets | Setting up and solving physics problems | Diagram, knowns, equation, algebra, units, sense check |
| Quizzes | Concepts and quick calculations | Practice without notes; know the main equations and when each applies |
| Written explanations | Reasoning in words | Name the principle, then show how it applies |
| Lab-style reports (if set) | Method, data and conclusions | Follow your instructions; state uncertainty and sources of error |
Where Students Get Stuck
- Skipping the diagram. Most force errors begin with a missing or wrong free-body diagram.
- Unit slips. Convert km/h to m/s and grams to kilograms before substituting.
- Wrong equation. Constant-acceleration equations only apply when acceleration is constant.
- Sign conventions. Choose a positive direction and keep to it.
- Answer without a check. Ask whether the size and sign are plausible.
Study Tips for PHY 101
- Solve symbolically first, then substitute numbers at the end.
- Keep a one-page sheet of equations with the conditions under which each holds.
- Redo worked examples without looking until you can finish them unaided.
- Always carry units through every line.
- Write one sentence on what each answer means physically.
A Six-Step Method for Any Problem
Following the same sequence each time reduces errors and shows your reasoning to a marker.
- Read twice. Underline the unknown and circle the numbers.
- Draw. Sketch the situation and label quantities with symbols.
- List knowns and unknowns with units.
- Choose a principle. Motion equations, Newton's second law, energy or momentum conservation.
- Solve symbolically, then substitute.
- Check. Units, size, sign and a quick estimate.
Example of a check: A calculation gives a car's speed after 8 s of acceleration as 160 m/s. That is about 576 km/h, far too high for the situation, which signals a slip such as a misplaced decimal.
Linking Topics Together
Introductory courses often present topics separately, but they connect. A falling object converts potential energy to kinetic energy (energy), speeds up under gravity (motion) because of a net force (forces), and carries momentum into whatever it hits (momentum). Making these links in your notes helps on conceptual questions.
Reading the Problem Before You Calculate
Many lost marks come from misreading rather than weak physics. Words like "from rest", "at constant speed", "just before" and "at the top" each fix a value or a condition. Circle them.
- "From rest" means initial speed is zero.
- "At the top of its path" means vertical velocity is zero for a thrown object.
- "Constant speed" means net force is zero along that direction.
- "Frictionless" means you can ignore friction in the force or energy balance.
After a calculation, write the answer as a sentence, such as "The car reaches 16 m/s after 8.0 s". This forces you to check that you answered the question asked.
How We Help with PHY 101
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. The catalog describes it as algebra-based.
Motion, forces, energy, momentum, waves and the electromagnetic spectrum, according to the SNHU catalog.
None are listed in the catalog, but you should be comfortable with algebra.
Convert to SI units first, carry units through every step and check that the final units match the quantity asked for.
Yes. Send your solution and we point out where the reasoning or algebra goes wrong.
No. We provide tutoring and worked examples for study only.