Physics Fundamentals

Code:

EBE0200

Acronym:

FFIS

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Basic Sciences

Instance: 2013/2014 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Engineering Physics
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Bioengineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIB	72	Syllabus	1	-	6	70	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The objectives of this course unit are such that students may acquire a basic knowledge of general physics (mainly optics, classical mechanics and vibrations and waves) and that students may develop their own personal and professional skills and attributes.

At the end of this course unit students are expected to have acquired the following skills:

- To apply correctly the laws which rule the physical phenomena under study.

- Develop and acquire the reasoning skills to solve problems independently and critically;

- Acquire a discipline of continuous work throughout the semester.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of this course, the student should be able to:

 - Properly use the laws governing the phenomena studied;

 - Use appropriate vocabulary to explain technical concepts and phenomena studied, as well as describe some of its applications;

 - Have a critical attitude towards the final results obtained using dimensional analysis, estimates of expected orders of magnitude, study of the interdependence between the quantities involved and the study of the behavior of the solution in borderline cases.

 

 The skills that are the subject of the assessment process (assessment test and final exam distributed) are as follows:

 - Correct use of the laws governing the phenomena studied.

- Critical attitude towards the final results.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1 - GEOMETRIC OPTICS: paraxial theory (6 lessons)

● the linear propagation of light

● the laws of reflection and refraction

● the Fermat principle

● flat and spherical mirrors

● thin lenses

● notions about optical instruments

● the human eye

2 - CLASSICAL MECHANICS (10 lessons)

● units and dimensions

● algebra of vectors

● equilibrium of rigid bodies - static

● kinematics: one-dimensional motion and motion in two dimensions

● Newton's laws

● Work, energy and power. Conservation of energy

● conservation of linear momentum

● particle systems

● conservation of angular momentum

● rigid body: rotation and introduction to the general movement

3 - OSCILLATIONS (3 classes)

● simple harmonic motion (MHS)

● MHS and energy considerations.

● Overlap of two MHS in the same direction. The uniform circular motion as a superposition of two MHS. Lissajous figures.

● damped harmonic motion

● forced oscillations and resonance

4 - WAVES (5 lessons)

● the concept of wave

● progressive waves. Longitudinal and transverse waves. Polarization. Sine waves and general characteristics of waves

● the equation of the vibrating strings

● intensity of a wave

● overlapping waves. Stationary waves. Beats

● wave interference

● the concept of diffraction

● the Huygens principle. Reflection and refraction

● sound and its intensity. Sounds and ultrasound. Applications: sonar and ultrasound. The human voice. Level of loudness.

● Doppler effect

Mandatory literature

Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman; University physics. ISBN: 0-201-84769-8

Complementary Bibliography

Paul A. Tipler, Gene Mosca; Physics for scientists and engineers. ISBN: 0-7167-4389-2
H. Moysés Nussenzveig; Curso de física básica. ISBN: 85-212-0046-3 (vol.1)
H. Moysés Nussenzveig; Curso de física básica
H. Moysés Nussenzveig; Curso de física básica. ISBN: 85-212-0163-X (vol.4)
Eugene Hecht ; José Manuel N. V. Rebordão; Óptica. ISBN: 972-31-0542-X

Teaching methods and learning activities

- Lectures (type TP): lectures where the underlying concepts and physical models of the course unit are introduced and illustrated with examples and applications.

- Recitations: practical classes (PL type) or exercise classes where students solve exercises under the supervision of the teacher.

In 3 of the practical classes of the semester, students will perform practical work, in groups, on the Physics Laboratory.

The assessment of this course is “distributed evaluation with final exam”.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	65,00
Teste	12,50
Trabalho laboratorial	22,50
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	92,00
Frequência das aulas	70,00
Total:	162,00

Calculation formula of final grade

CF = EF + AD

CF (0 - 20 valores) – Final mark

EF (0 - 13 valores) – final exam

AD (0 – 7 valores) – distributed evaluation

where:

AD = TPL + MT

TPL (0 – 4,5 valores) – Laboratory work

MT= Q + P

Q (0 - 1,5 valores) – multiple choise quiz questions

P (0 - 1,0) - problem