Course code Fizi2010

Credit points 3

Physics I

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures16

Number of hours for laboratory classes16

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation20.02.2013

Responsible UnitInstitute of Mathematics and Physics

Course developers

author Matemātikas un fizikas institūts

Uldis Gross

Dr. phys.

author reserch

Zanda Gavare

Dr. phys.

Course abstract

The aim of the Physics course is to give an overview of fundamental laws that are essential to problem solving in engineering sciences. Course consists of lectures and laboratory works. During the lectures students are introduced to theory and ways of describing physical laws. During laboratory workshops students’ deal with hands-on exercises where they measure, process and analyse various data readings, as well as they learn to plot graphs.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

After completing the course students will have:
1. knowledge about regularity of essential concepts of physics and critical understanding of how to use it in real-world process description. – The knowledge is assessed in laboratory works and tests.
2. skills to use measurements of physical quantities and apply knowledge in calculation for their branch of research, summarize and analytically describe the results. – The skills are assessed in laboratory works.

3. competence to evaluate results of measurements and calculations, problem solving and understand what influence their professional activities have on environment. – The competence is assessed in laboratory works and tests.

Course Content(Calendar)

Full time intramural studies:
1. Introduction. Fundamentals of mechanics (lectures - 1 h )
2. Laws of kinematics and dynamics (lectures – 3 h, laboratory works – 2 h)
3. Laws od ideal liquids (lectures – 1 h, laboratory works – 2 h)
4. Viscosity of liquids, flow of gases and liquids ( lectures – 2 h, laboratory works – 1 h)
5. 1st test: mehcanics and fluid mechanics (1 h), defense of laboratory works(4 h)
6. Laws of ideal gas (lectures - 1h)
7. Heat transfer (conduction, convection, thermal radiation) (lectures - 2 h, laboratory works – 1 h)
8. Diffusion and osmosis (lectures - 2 h)
9. Surface tension and cappilary phenomeon (lectures - 1 h, laboratory works – 2 h)
10. Sorbtion (lectures - 1 h)
11. 2nd test: transfer processes and surface tension (1 h), defense of laboratory works (4 h)

Part time extramural studies:
All topics specified for full time studies are accomplished, but the number of contact hours is one half of the number specified in the calendar

Requirements for awarding credit points

The requirement is – passing the written exam.
The examination shall contain theoretical questions.

In order to be allowed to take the exam, all tests must be written and the laboratory works must be performed and defended, and total 50% of the maximum possible points must be obtained

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1) The student studies the literature in preparation for tests;

2) The student makes all the necessary calculations for laboratory works and prepares for their defense.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Knowledge control:
1/Theory tests – 2;
2/Laboratory works (work and defence) – 8.

The evaluation of the theory tests is in the range from 0 to 10 points, thus the maximum possible number of points in the theory part is 20 points.
The evaluation of each laboratory work is in the range from 0 to 10 points, the total number of points for this part is calculated as average points, so the maximum number of points in laboratory work part is 10 points.

The maximum number of points in the study course is 30 points.

Compulsory reading

1. Valtera A. red. Fizika. Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1992. 733 lpp.

2. Fizika visiem. http://estudijas.llu.lv

Further reading

1. Jansone M., Kalnača A. u.c. Uzdevumu krājums vispārīgajā fizikā. Rīga: RTU, 2000. 247 lpp.
2. Tipler P. A., Mosca G. Physics for Scientists and Engineers 6th edition. New York, NY: W. H. Freeman, 2008. 1172 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Terra. Rīga: Latvijas Universitāte ISSN 977-1407-7191

Notes

Compulsory course for the Professional Bachelor Study Program "Environment and Water Management".