PHY 150 at Southern New Hampshire University is an algebra-based mechanics course. The catalog says students explore motion and forces, gravity and projectiles, and energy and work, with embedded lab work, and learn to solve problems using Newton's laws and the conservation of energy and momentum.
Compared with a conceptual physics survey, PHY 150 expects precise quantitative reasoning in one and two dimensions, so organized working matters.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Southern New Hampshire University |
| Course code | PHY 150 |
| Credits | 3 |
| Maths level | Algebra-based, with trigonometry for two-dimensional motion |
| Prerequisites | The catalog lists precalculus (MAT 140 or MAT 142) and Calculus I (MAT 225), completed or taken concurrently; check the catalog entry for how these combine |
| Typical work | Problem sets, embedded lab activities, quizzes (check your course for the exact list) |
What PHY 150 Covers
| Topic (from the catalog) | Typical skill |
|---|---|
| Motion in one and two dimensions | Describe position, velocity and acceleration with vectors |
| Forces and Newton's laws | Free-body diagrams and net-force equations |
| Gravity and projectiles | Separate horizontal and vertical motion |
| Energy and work | Work, kinetic and potential energy, conservation |
| Momentum | Conservation in interactions and collisions |
Worked Examples
Projectile Motion
Treat horizontal and vertical motion separately. Time connects them.
Example: A ball is thrown horizontally at 10 m/s from a 20 m cliff. Vertical: 20 = ½(9.8)t², so t = √(40/9.8) = about 2.0 s. Horizontal: range = 10 x 2.0 = about 20 m.
Newton's Second Law
Example: A 10 kg crate is pushed with 50 N against 20 N of friction. Net force = 30 N, so a = 30/10 = 3.0 m/s². Draw the free-body diagram first so friction has the right direction.
Conservation of Momentum
Example: A 2.0 kg cart at 3.0 m/s sticks to a stationary 1.0 kg cart. Total momentum before = 6.0 kg m/s. After, (2.0 + 1.0)v = 6.0, so v = 2.0 m/s.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Problem sets | Quantitative problem solving | Diagram, knowns, principle, algebra, units, check |
| Embedded lab work | Measurement and analysis | Record data carefully, calculate with units, discuss uncertainty |
| Quizzes | Concepts and speed | Practice timed problems on each topic |
| Written explanations | Reasoning in words | Name the principle used and why it applies |
Where Students Get Stuck
- Vector components. Resolve angles into x and y parts with sine and cosine, and check the angle's reference direction.
- Free-body diagrams. Include only forces acting on the object, not forces it exerts.
- Choosing a principle. Use energy when speed and height matter, momentum for collisions, forces for acceleration.
- Lab write-ups. Report measurements with units and explain differences from expected values.
Study Tips for PHY 150
- Sort every problem into force, energy or momentum before you pick an equation.
- Keep a trigonometry refresher beside your work.
- Do labs with the analysis in mind: record enough data to answer the questions later.
- Rework each solved example with different numbers.
Making the Most of Embedded Lab Work
The catalog mentions embedded lab work, so measurement skills count alongside problem solving. A lab exercise usually asks you to collect data, calculate a quantity and compare it with a prediction.
- Record raw data first, with units and the instrument's precision.
- Repeat measurements where you can, and note the spread.
- Graph where possible. A straight-line fit can reveal a quantity such as acceleration from the slope.
- Explain differences between your result and the expected value with specific causes, such as friction or timing delay, not just "human error".
Choosing Between Force, Energy and Momentum
| If the problem gives | Consider |
|---|---|
| Forces and asks for acceleration | Newton's second law |
| Heights and speeds, no time | Conservation of energy |
| A collision or explosion | Conservation of momentum |
| Launch angle and range | Projectile components |
Trigonometry You Need for Two Dimensions
The catalog describes motion in one and two dimensions, so components appear early and often. Keep this short reference to hand.
| Task | Rule |
|---|---|
| Horizontal component of a vector at angle θ from the x-axis | A cos θ |
| Vertical component | A sin θ |
| Magnitude from components | √(Ax² + Ay²) |
| Angle from components | θ = tan-1(Ay / Ax) |
Check your calculator is in degree mode when the problem gives degrees. A launch at 30 degrees computed in radian mode produces nonsense that looks like a plausible number.
Worked Example: Work and Energy on a Ramp
Energy problems on ramps combine forces and conservation, so they are a good test of the course's skills.
Example: A 3.0 kg block slides from rest down a frictionless ramp that drops 1.2 m in height. Energy conservation gives mgh = ½mv², so v = √(2gh) = √(2 x 9.8 x 1.2) = about 4.8 m/s. The ramp's angle does not matter without friction, which is a useful point to state in a written explanation. If a 6.0 N friction force acts over a 2.5 m slope, work done against friction is 15 J, and the final kinetic energy is mgh minus 15 J.
How We Help with PHY 150
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, the catalog describes it as algebra-based, though it lists calculus and precalculus courses as prerequisites or concurrent courses.
Yes. The catalog mentions embedded lab work.
The catalog lists MAT 140 or MAT 142, and MAT 225 completed or taken concurrently. Check the entry for the exact rule.
PHY 150 is algebra-based mechanics; PHY 215 is calculus-based mechanics for STEM-track students.
Ask what is given and asked: forces and acceleration suggest Newton's laws, speeds and heights suggest energy, collisions suggest momentum.
Yes. Send the draft and instructions for feedback on structure, calculations and error discussion.