Course syllabus for Mechanics

Course syllabus adopted 2024-02-14 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameMekanik
  • CodeSEE081
  • Credits5 Credits
  • OwnerTKGBS
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyGlobal systems, Engineering Physics
  • DepartmentSPACE, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 74130
  • Open for exchange studentsNo

Credit distribution

0124 Examination 5 c
Grading: TH		 5 c
  • 18 Mar 2025 pm J
  • 10 Jun 2025 pm J
  • 29 Aug 2025 pm J

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

Mechanics is a fundamental part of Physics. In this course we will introduce key concepts of classical (Newtonian) mechanics along with examples of applications. The goal is that students learn to develop a physical intuition and simple mathematical models of physical and technical systems.

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

  • appreciate the power and the limitations of classical mechanics to model a real physical system;
  • decompose forces/vectors in different systems of coordinates and perform mathematical operations on vectors;
  • write the equations for a system in equilibrium;
  • calculate the center of mass of a simple system;
  • use friction in calculations;
  • mathematically describe linear and curvilinear motion;
  • know and be able to apply Newton's laws and derived laws (about work, energy, momentum, etc.).
  • make basic calculations of satellite orbits
  • make basic calculations of solid body motion
 

Content

Introduction 

1. Geometry of forces
1. Forces as vectors, basic operations on vectors
2. Forces in two dimensions, torque
        3. Forces in three dimensions, torque

2. Equilibrium 
1. Equilibrium condition
2. Two-dimensional equilibrium

3. Center of mass - center of gravity

4. Applications
1. Friction

5. Kinematics of a point-mass
1. Linear motion
2. Curvilinear motion

6. Kinetics of a point-mass
1. Fundamental laws and concepts (Newton's laws, etc.)
2. Applications (linear and curvilienar motion)
3. Derived laws (work, power, energy, momentum, impulse, etc.)
4. Oscillatory motion (free undamped oscillations)
Celestial mechanics: satellite orbits, etc.

Motion of solid bodies: kinematics and kinetics

Organisation

Lectures and exercises. Optional hand-in exercises, which can give bonus points on the written exam. 

Literature

Jansson, Grahn, Enelund: Mekanik - Statik och dynamik (Studentlitteratur)

Examination including compulsory elements

Written exam. Optional hand-in exercises, which can give bonus points on the written exam. 

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 about disability study support.