Gwybodaeth Modiwlau
Module Identifier
PH01010
Module Title
INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL FORCES
Academic Year
2011/2012
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Mutually Exclusive
Not available to students doing 3 year Physics BSc(Hon) or 4 year MPhys
Pre-Requisite
GCSE Mathematics or equivalent
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 20 Hours. |
| Seminars / Tutorials | 3 Hours. Tutorial. |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours written examination | 80% |
| Semester Assessment | tests in weeks 6 and 11 Continuous Assessment: | 20% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours written examination | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
After taking this module students should be able to:
- Use Newtonian mechanics to describe the behaviour of simple mechanical systems, and be able to apply that understanding to solve simple problems in this area.
- Apply the kinetic theory of gases to simple problems.
Brief description
This module explores the success of Newtonian physics in explaining the world around us - from the behaviour of gases to the orbit of planets. Starting from the cornerstone of Newton's three laws, the module progresses to examine the interaction of forces and material objects and introduces the concept of a central force field. Topics covered include: conservation laws, rotational motion, gravitational fields and potential, projectiles and intermolecular forces, kinetic theory of gases.
Content
Outline Syllabus
(a) Newtonian Mechanics
Definitions of force, vector and scalar quantities addition of vectors,
Components of vectors, adding vectors by components.
Forces in equilibrium. Newton's three laws.
Newton's laws of motion. Motion under gravity. Projectiles.
Impulse. Conservation of momentum, elastic and inelastic collisions.
Work, energy and power.
Circular motion. Centripetal force and acceleration.
Rotation of solid bodies. Moment of inertia, angular momentum.
Couples, torques and angular acceleration.
Parallels between translational and rotational motion.
Kepler's laws of planetary motion. Newtonian gravitation.
Gravitational field, fields inside and outside the Earth.
Gravitational potential. The orbit of satellites, escape velocity.
Geosynchronous orbits
(b) The Kinetic Theory of Matter
Intermolecular force and potential energy,
Thermal expansion, the mole and Avogadro number.
The kinetic theory of matter. An ideal gas. Derivation
of pressure from consideration of molecular motions.
The concept of rms velocity
Derivation of gas laws from kinetic ideas
Degrees of freedom and mean free path
(c) 4 Fundamental Forces in Nature
(a) Newtonian Mechanics
Definitions of force, vector and scalar quantities addition of vectors,
Components of vectors, adding vectors by components.
Forces in equilibrium. Newton's three laws.
Newton's laws of motion. Motion under gravity. Projectiles.
Impulse. Conservation of momentum, elastic and inelastic collisions.
Work, energy and power.
Circular motion. Centripetal force and acceleration.
Rotation of solid bodies. Moment of inertia, angular momentum.
Couples, torques and angular acceleration.
Parallels between translational and rotational motion.
Kepler's laws of planetary motion. Newtonian gravitation.
Gravitational field, fields inside and outside the Earth.
Gravitational potential. The orbit of satellites, escape velocity.
Geosynchronous orbits
(b) The Kinetic Theory of Matter
Intermolecular force and potential energy,
Thermal expansion, the mole and Avogadro number.
The kinetic theory of matter. An ideal gas. Derivation
of pressure from consideration of molecular motions.
The concept of rms velocity
Derivation of gas laws from kinetic ideas
Degrees of freedom and mean free path
(c) 4 Fundamental Forces in Nature
Reading List
Recommended TextM. Nelkon and P.Parker Advanced Level Physics Heinemann Educational Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 3