Course syllabus for Fundamental physics, chemistry and acoustics

Course syllabus adopted 2022-02-10 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameGrundläggande fysik, kemi och akustik
  • CodeBOM290
  • Credits6 Credits
  • OwnerTAFFS
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyCivil and Environmental Engineering
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 60112
  • Maximum participants55
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0117 Examination 4 c
Grading: TH
4 c
  • 01 Nov 2024 am J
  • 09 Jan 2025 am J
  • 18 Aug 2025 pm J
0217 Laboratory 2 c
Grading: UG
2 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Aim

The student will learn concepts, phenomena and processes applicable in a meeting situation and where you schematically discuss a construction project and lay out the technical demands. The student should be able to communicate with a technical expert as a client, to make feasibility assessments and simple quantifications.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

Physics
  • Explain fundamental concepts in classical mechanics such as mechanical equilibrium, motion and forces.
  • Apply fundamental equations for motion, forces, torque and mechanical equilibrium
  • Explain fundamental concepts in thermodynamics such as pressure, heat capacity, phase transitions and processes for heat transfer (conduction, convection and radiation).
  • Describe how moist is transported with capillary forces, convection and diffusion and give examples of how this can be avoided.
  • Apply fundamental thermodynamic relations for heat transfer, pressure and phase transitions.
Chemistry
  • Explain chemical bonds and molecular structure and relate these to inherent properties of solids, liquids and gases.
  • Understand how the periodic table is organised and be able to use it for stoichiometric calculations (mass and concentrations).
  • Balance chemical equations, including redox reactions.
  • Describe chemical equilibrium and how the position of equilibrium can be changed; apply the concept of equilibrium to calculate equilibrium constants and concentrations of reactants and products, including acids and bases.
  • Explain the autoprotolysis of water, buffering capacity, as well as the characteristics of (weak/strong) acids and bases.
  • Using the electrochemical series to predict electrochemical reactions, including corrosion, to solve both theoretical problems and practical exercises in the laboratory.
Acoustic/Sound and Vibration
  • Work with basic acoustic signals in time and frequency domain
  • Explain physical properties and processes behind vibrations (e.g. mass-spring system) and wave propagation (e.g. in air)
  • Describe sound propagation from acoustic sources and the phenomena which influence sound propagation

Content

The course gives an orientation within the science areas of physics, chemistry and acoustics applicable within the areas of civil and environmental engineering. It covers classical mechanics; physical transport processes; chemical bonding, reactions and equilibrium; properties of materials; and acoustic phenomena.

Organisation

Lectures, seminars, laboratory experiments and exercises, study visit/demonstration

Literature

Physics and acoustics: Heureka! Kurs 1 och 2 Basåret Teori- och övningsbok, Rune Alphonce, Lars Bergström, Per Gunnvald, Jenny Ivarsson, Erik Johansson, Roy Nilsson, 2016 Natur & Kultur (buy form STORE f.d. Cremona) and distributed material.

Chemistry: Repetitionskurs i kemi, Magnus Ehinger, Studentlitteratur (buy form STORE f.d. Cremona)

Examination including compulsory elements

The examination is based on a written exam, grade TH, approved lab and attendance at field trips.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.