Conceptual Physical Science

About This Curriculum

Conceptual Physical Science has grown to become the top selling physical science text within North America. This engaging up-to-date text takes learning physical science to a new level by combining Hewitt's leading conceptual approach with a friendly writing style, strong integration of the sciences, and more quantitative coverage. This text begins with a focus on the essential topics of physics upon which concepts of chemistry are then built. This sets the stage for an exploration of physics and chemistry concepts as they apply to planet Earth and then beyond in the study of astronomy.

Table of Videos

Chapter 1: Patterns of Motion
- 1.1 Aristotle on Motion
- 1.2 Galileo’s Concept of Inertia
- 1.3 Mass--A Measure of Inertia
- 1.4 Net Force
- 1.5 The Equilibrium Rule
- 1.6 Support Force
- 1.7 The Force of Friction
- 1.8 Speed and Velocity
- 1.9 Acceleration
- Math Corner: Sig Figs and Precision
Chapter 2: Newton's Laws of Motion
- 2.1 Newton’s First Law of Motion
- 2.2 Newton’s Second Law of Motion
- 2.3 Forces and Interactions
- 2.4 Newton’s Third Law of Motion
- 2.5 Summary of Newton’s Three Laws
Chapter 3: Momentum and Energy
- 3.1 Momentum and Impulse
- 3.2 Impulse Changes Momentum
- 3.3 Conservation of Momentum
- 3.4 Energy and Work
- 3.5 Work-Energy Theorem
- 3.6 Conservation of Energy
- 3.7 Power
- 3.8 Machines
- 3.9 Efficiency
- 3.10 Sources of Energy
Chapter 4: Gravity, Projectiles, and Satellites
- 4.1 The Universal Law of Gravity
- 4.2 Gravity and Distance: The Inverse-Square Law
- 4.3 Weight and Weightlessness
- 4.4 Universal Gravitation
- 4.5 Projectile Motion
- 4.6 Fast-Moving Projectiles—Satellites
- 4.7 Circular Satellite Orbits
- 4.8 Elliptical Orbits
- 4.9 Escape Speed
Chapter 5: Fluid Mechanics
- 5.1 Density
- 5.2 Pressure
- 5.3 Buoyancy in a Liquid
- 5.4 Archimedes’ Principle
- 5.5 Pressure in a Gas
- 5.6 Atmospheric Pressure
- 5.7 Pascal’s Principle
- 5.8 Buoyancy in a Gas
- 5.9 Bernoulli’s Principle
Chapter 6: Thermal Energy
- 6.1 Temperature
- 6.2 Absolute Zero
- 6.3 Heat
- 6.4 Quantity of Heat
- 6.5 The Laws of Thermodynamics
- 6.6 Entropy
- 6.7 Specific Heat Capacity
- 6.8 Thermal Expansion
- 6.9 Expansion of Water
Chapter 7: Heat Transfer and Phase Change
- 7.1 Conduction
- 7.2 Convection
- 7.3 Radiation
- 7.4 Newton’s Law of Cooling
- 7.5 Climate Change and the Greenhouse Effect
- 7.6 Heat Transfer and Change of Phase
- 7.7 Boiling
- 7.8 Melting and Freezing
- 7.9 Energy and Change of Phase
Chapter 8: Electricity
- 8.1 Electric Force and Charge
- 8.2 Coulomb’s Law
- 8.3 Electric Field
- 8.4 Electric Potential
- 8.5 Voltage Sources
- 8.6 Electric Current
- 8.7 Electric Resistance
- 8.8 Ohm’s Law
- 8.9 Electric Circuits
- 8.10 Electric Power
Chapter 9: Magnetism
- 9.1 Magnetic Poles
- 9.2 Magnetic Fields
- 9.3 Magnetic Domains
- 9.4 Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields
- 9.5 Magnetic Forces on Moving Charges
- 9.6 Electromagnetic Induction
- 9.7 Generators and Alternating Current
- 9.8 Power Production
- 9.9 The Transformer—Boosting or Lowering Voltage
- 9.10 Field Induction
Chapter 10: Waves and Sound
- 10.1 Vibrations and Waves
- 10.2 Wave Motion
- 10.3 Transverse and Longitudinal Waves
- 10.4 Sound Waves
- 10.5 Reflection and Refraction of Sound
- 10.6 Forced Vibrations and Resonance
- 10.7 Interference
- 10.8 Doppler Effect
- 10.9 Bow Waves and the Sonic Boom
- 10.10 Musical Sounds
Chapter 11: Light
- 11.1 Electromagnetic Spectrum
- 11.2 Transparent and Opaque Materials
- 11.3 Reflection
- 11.4 Refraction
- 11.5 Color
- 11.6 Dispersion
- 11.7 Polarization
Chapter 12: Atoms and the Periodic Table
- 12.1 Atoms Are Ancient and Empty
- 12.2 The Elements
- 12.3 Protons and Neutrons
- 12.4 The Periodic Table
- 12.5 Physical and Conceptual Models
- 12.6 Identifying Atoms Using the Spectroscope
- 12.7 The Quantum Hypothesis
- 12.8 Electron Waves
- 12.9 The Shell Model
Chapter 13: The Atomic Nucleus
- 13.1 Radioactivity
- 13.2 The Strong Nuclear Force
- 13.3 Half-Life and Transmutation
- 13.4 Radiometric Dating
- 13.5 Nuclear Fission
- 13.6 Mass-Energy Equivalence
- 13.7 Nuclear Fusion
Chapter 14: Elements of Chemistry
- 14.1 Chemistry: The Central Science
- 14.2 The Submicroscopic World
- 14.3 Physical and Chemical Properties
- 14.4 Determining Physical and Chemical Changes
- 14.5 Elements to Compounds
- 14.6 Naming Compounds
- 14.7 The Advent of Nanotechnology
Chapter 15: Bonds and Molecular Attractions
- 15.1 Electron-Dot Structures
- 15.2 The Formation of Ions
- 15.3 Ionic Bonds
- 15.4 Metallic Bonds
- 15.5 Covalent Bonds
- 15.6 Polar Covalent Bonds
- 15.7 Molecular Polarity
- 15.8 Molecular Attractions
Chapter 16: Mixtures
- 16.1 Most Materials Are Mixtures
- 16.2 The Chemist's Classification of Matter
- 16.3 Solutions
- 16.4 Solubility
- 16.5 Soaps, Detergents, and Hard Water
- 16.6 Purifying the Water We Drink
- 16.7 Wastewater Treatment
Chapter 17: How Chemicals React
- 17.1 Chemical Equations
- 17.2 Counting Atoms and Molecules by Mass
- 17.3 Reaction Rates
- 17.4 Catalysts
- 17.5 Energy and Chemical Reactions
- 17.6 Chemical Reactions Are Driven by Entropy
Chapter 18: Acids/Bases and Redox
- 18.1 Acids Donate Protons; Bases Accept Them
- 18.2 Relative Strengths of Acids and Bases
- 18.3 Acidic, Basic, and Neutral Solutions
- 18.4 Acidic Rain and Basic Oceans
- 18.5 Losing and Gaining Electrons
- 18.6 Harnessing the Energy of Flowing Electrons
- 18.7 Electrolysis
- 18.8 Corrosion and Combustion
Chapter 19: Organic Compounds
- 19.1 Hydrocarbons
- 19.2 Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
- 19.3 Functional Groups
- 19.4 Alcohols, Phenols, and Ethers
- 19.5 Amines and Alkaloids
- 19.6 Carbonyl Compounds
- 19.7 Polymers
Chapter 20: Rocks and Minerals
- 20.1 The Geosphere is Made Up of Rocks and Minerals
- 20.2 Minerals
- 20.3 Mineral Properties
- 20.4 Classification of Rock-Forming Minerals
- 20.5 The Formation of Minerals
- 20.6 Rock Types
- 20.7 Igneous Rocks
- 20.8 Sedimentary Rocks
- 20.9 Metamorphic Rocks
- 20.10 The Rock Cycle
Chapter 21: Plate Tectonics
- 21.1 Seismic Waves
- 21.2 Earth’s Internal Layers
- 21.3 Continental Drift—An Idea Before its Time
- 21.4 Acceptance of Continental Drift
- 21.5 The Theory of Plate Tectonics
- 21.6 Continental Evidence for Plate Tectonics
- 21.7 The Theory That Explains the Geosphere
Chapter 22: Shaping Earth's Surface
- 22.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
- 22.2 Groundwater
- 22.3 The Work of Groundwater
- 22.4 Surface Water and Drainage Systems
- 22.5 The Work of Surface Water
- 22.6 Glaciers and Glaciation
- 22.7 The Work of Glaciers
- 22.8 The Work of Air
Chapter 23: Geologic Time
- 23.1 The Rock Record—Relative Dating
- 23.2 Radiometric Dating
- 23.3 Geologic Time
- 23.4 Precambrian Time (4500 to 543 Million Years Ago)
- 23.5 The Paleozoic Era (543 to 248 Million Years Ago)
- 23.6 The Mesozoic Era (248 to 65 Million Years Ago)
- 23.7 The Cenozoic Era (65 Million Years to the Present)
- 23.8 Earth History in a Capsule
Chapter 24: The Oceans and Atmosphere
- 24.1 Earth’s Atmosphere and Oceans
- 24.2 Components of Earth’s Oceans
- 24.3 Ocean Waves, Tides, and Shorelines
- 24.4 Components of Earth’s Atmosphere
- 24.5 Solar Energy
- 24.6 Driving Forces of Air Motion
- 24.7 Global Circulation Patterns
Chapter 25: Driving Forces of Weather
- 25.1 Atmospheric Moisture
- 25.2 Weather Variables
- 25.3 Cloud Development
- 25.4 Air Masses, Fronts, and Storms
- 25.5 Violent Weather
- 25.6 The Weather, Topic of Conversation
Chapter 26: The Solar System
- 26.1 The Solar System and its Formation
- 26.2 The Sun and Seasons
- 26.3 The Inner Planets
- 26.4 The Outer Planets
- 26.5 Earth's Moon
- 26.6 Failed Planet Formation
Chapter 27: Stars and Galaxies
- 27.1 Observing the Night Sky
- 27.2 The Brightness and Color of Stars
- 27.3 The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
- 27.4 The Life Cycles of Stars
- 27.5 Black Holes
- 27.6 Galaxies
Chapter 28: Space and Time
- 28.1 Looking Back in Time
- 28.2 Cosmic Inflation
- 28.3 and 28.4 Relativity
- 28.5 Dark Matter
- 28.6 Dark Energy
- 28.7 The Fate of the Universe
Review
- Review 1
- Review 2
- Review 3
- Review 4
- Review 5

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