Course syllabus for Physics for engineers

Course syllabus adopted 2024-02-19 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameFysik för ingenjörer
  • CodeTIF223
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTKIEK
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyEngineering Physics
  • ThemeEnvironment 1.5 c
  • DepartmentPHYSICS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 51143
  • Maximum participants150
  • Open for exchange studentsNo

Credit distribution

0124 Laboratory 1.5 c
Grading: UG		0 c0 c0 c1.5 c0 c0 c
0224 Examination 6 c
Grading: TH		0 c0 c0 c6 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

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.

Course specific prerequisites

Basic courses in mathematics. Programmering i Python.

Aim

A MSc Engineer should have a solid analytical ability based on a mathematical and scientific basis, as well as an engineering and scientific approach to new problems. This requires, among other things, good basic knowledge in classical and modern physics as well as training in solving problems and building theoretical models. The civil engineer must also be able to handle the challenges that a sustainable development requires.

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

  • Define velocity and acceleration, and apply these concepts for motion in one, two and three dimensions (with special emphasis on circular motion).
  • Formulate Newton's laws, understand their limitations, and apply them to solve simple mechanical problems, where the spatial extent of the involved interacting components can be neglected.
  • Know the definition of momentum, work, kinetic and potential energy.
  • Formulate the conservation laws of momentum and mechanical energy, understand their limitations, and utilize them as tools to solve simple mechanical problems.
  • Can formulate and solve differential equations for simple oscillatory motion, and interpret the solutions.
  • Know the definitions of the concepts as moment of inertia, torque and angular momentum; these are important to describe and perform calculations of rotation of rigid bodies.
  • Can employ these concepts, along with the conservation laws of momentum and mechanical energy to solve simple mechanics problems concerning the statics and dynamics of rigid bodies.
  • Employ the gained knowledge and understanding to solve problems both qualitatively and quantitatively.
  • Knows the basics of electric and magnetic fields.
  • Can interpret and perform calculations related to the propagation of electromagnetic waves, and calculate the power, intensity and momentum of electromagnetic plane waves.
  • Perform calculations of reflection and refraction across optical boundaries.

Content

Classical mechanics
  • Kinematics.
  • Forces. Dynamics.
  • Equations of motion.
  • Kinetic and potential energy, the conservation of the total mechanical energy.
  • Harmonic oscillations.
  • Energy lawas. Mechanics of a rigid body; motion about a fixed axis.
  • Angular momentum.
Electrodynamics:
  • Coulombs' law
  • Fields from point charges
  • Electrostatic potential and energy
  • Forces and torques from static fields on charges in motion and current carrying wires.
  • Magnetic fields distributions from moving charges and current carrying conductors (Biot-Savarts)
  • Plane electromagnetic waves (traveling and standing)
  • Energy content, power and momentum transfer in EM-waves
  • Refraction and reflection, Snell's law
  • Double slit interference and thin film interference

Organisation

Lectures, tutorials, laboratory work.

Literature

Modified Mastering Physics for University Physics with Modern Physics in SI Units 15th Edition Author(s): Young, Hugh | Freedman, Roger Textbook ISBN-13: 9781292314730

Examination including compulsory elements

  • Written exam
  • Lab report

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.