Fundamentals of Physics (5 cr)

Objective

On completion of the course, the student can
• perform unit conversions and work with physical equations
• define the basic quantities of kinematics
• describe the motion of a body computationally and graphically
• explain the concept of force and describe different types of forces
• draw the force diagram of a body
• present Newton’s laws
• model the dynamics of a body
• define the moment of a force
• explain the concept of energy
• define work, kinetic energy, potential energy, power and efficiency
• present the principle of conservation of energy and the work-energy principle
• model energy conversion and transfer
• present the definitions of density and pressure
• describe the effects of pressure in fluids
• present the principle of the hydraulic lever
• calculate fluid pressure at difference depths
• present and apply Archimedes’ principle
• define the basic flow quantities and use them
• study changes in flow velocity using the equation of continuity
• work with temperature scales
• model and apply laws of thermal expansion
• present the ideal gas law and use it to model gas behavior
• model heat storage and phase changes

Content

• physical equations and unit conversions
• kinematics: position, displacement, velocity and acceleration
• dynamics: the concept of force, types of forces, force diagram, Newton’s laws
• moment of a force
• energy, work, power, efficiency
• density and pressure
• pressure in fluids
• hydraulic lever
• depth dependence of fluid pressure
• Archimedes’ principle
• basic quantities related to fluid flow, equation of continuity
• temperature scales
• thermal expansion
• ideal gas
• heat capacity
• changes of state

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student can describe the most essential physical quantities and principles covered in the course and apply her/his knowledge in simple contexts.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student can accurately describe the physical quantities and principles covered in the course and apply her/his knowledge in practice.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student can accurately describe the physical quantities and principles covered in the course and apply her/his knowledge in complex contexts.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student can describe the most essential physical quantities and principles covered in the course and apply her/his knowledge in simple contexts.