Course Objectives

Main aim:

Be able to use topics from physics in the study of engineering subjects.

Classical physics

Be able to perform calculations to solve physics problems, including differential and integral equations

Be able to perform calculations based on Newtonian mechanics, regarding straight and curved paths of motion

Be able to calculate the rotation of rigid bodies.

Thermal physics

Have knowledge of the thermodynamics gas laws

Be familiar with the macro level properties of substances (heat capacity and volume changes)
Be able to calculate cyclical processes for thermal power generators and refrigeration generators.

Be aware of the connection between macro and micro level descriptions of thermal physics

Electrical circuits

Be able to calculate electric potential
Be able to perform electrical circuit calculations

Atomic physics

Be familiar with expressions such as wave functions and be able to perform calculations within one-dimensional quantum mechanics.
Be able to perform calculations of the energy levels of one-electron atoms.

Be familiar with quantization in atoms, and concepts such as uncertainty in quantum physics.

Course Description

Classical Physics

The definition of instantaneous velocity and acceleration. Use of Newton’s Second Law as a differential equation. Force moment equation, moment of inertia and Steiner’s theorem. Rotation and conservation of angular momentum. Rotational kinetics. Rotation and translational energy.

Thermodynamics

Aggregate state of substances, temperature scales, the gas laws, internal energy. Heat capacity and volume changes. Heat and heat transfer. Energy and the first law of thermodynamics. Cyclical processes. Thermal power generators and refrigeration generators.

Electric circuits

Briefly on electric fields and electric potential. Conductivity and electric current. Kirchhoff's circuit laws. Energy and effect. Various types of electrical circuits.

Atomic physics

Photoelectric effects, photons, wave and particle properties, wave functions, the uncertainty principle, the Bohr model, one-dimensional quantum physics, atoms, the Pauli exclusion principle, quantum properties.

Learning Methods

Each course unit is covered in four-week periods, with five hours of lectures and three hours of calculation exercises in groups. Maple may be used as a calculation tool when doing exercises.

A course concludes with a week in which the students submit a solution to a group project and sit a final examination.

Assessment Methods

Each course is concluded with a project, with as many as four students per group. In addition, the course is concluded with a two-hour individual assignment which must be answered using paper and pencil. The projects count for 40% and the final assignments 20%.

At least 20% of the student’s individual assignments must be correct. The final grade is calculated by adding together all the marks obtained.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean