FY400 Introduction to Physics

Contents and structure

Mechanics and Energy: Circular and straight line movement in one and two dimensions with constant acceleration. Forces newtons laws energy and work,conservation laws,potential energy and conservative forces. Collisions, momentum, rotational dynamics, center of mass, stress and strain.

Waves: Oscillations, resonance, interference, standing waves. Sound waves. Diffraction and reflection of waves.

Radio Activity

Fluid mechanics Buoyancy, density, flow diffusion, advection, convection. Rheology

Thermal systems: The Laws of Thermodynamics. Ideal gases. Thermal expansion. Kinetic theory. Work and Internal Energy. Entropy.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

• Laws and underlying conservation rules that govern mechanics
• Types of waves and their interactions
• Basic knowledge of electricity and radioactivity
• Laws of fluid mechanics and statics
• Laws of thermodynamics

 

Skills

• can calculate the motion of one or several point masses with constant acceleration, in circular motion and in collision
• can calculate the effect traveling from one medium to another has on a wave
• can use simple fluid mechanics to calculate mass transport
• can solve problems related to heat transport and thermal expansion
• can solve problems related to simple parallel and series circuits and simple radioactive decay

General qualifications

• basic competence to describe physical systems and solve related problems with respect to the relevant physical laws

Entry requirements

None

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Teaching methods

Lectures and problem solving.

Compulsory learning activities

None

Assessment

Written exam, 4 hours.

Grading scale: A-E/F (fail). 

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