LV EN RU DE FR

Physics I

Course developers

Replaced courses

Fizi2014 [GFIZ2015] Physics I

FiziB009 [GFIZB009] Physics I

Course abstract

Physics course is giving an overview of fundamental laws that are essential to problem solving in engineering sciences. Course consists of lectures, manual training, laboratory works and individual exercises. During the lectures students are introduced to theory and ways of describing physical laws. Manual training includes practicing and understanding written exercises and calculating precise results. 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)

1. Introduction. Fundamentals of Mechanics. – 2h
2. Kinematics. – 4 h
3. Dynamics. – 4h
4. Rotational dynamics. – 4h
5. Work, power. Energy and its laws of conservation. – 4h
6. Fundamentals of fluid mechanics. Equation of continuity for fluids, laws of Bernoulli, Stokes and Poiseuille – 3 h
7. 1st test: Mechanics. – 3h
8. Fundamentals of Molecular physics. Kinetic theory of gases. – 3h
9. Maxwell speed distribution. Boltzmann distribution. – 2h
10. Transport processes (diffusion, thermal conduction, viscosity). – 3h
11. First law of thermodynamics. Work in thermodynamic processes. – 4h
12. Cyclic processes. Second law of thermodynamics. Entropy, free energy, thermodynamic potential. – 3h
13. 2nd test: Molecular physics– 2,5h
14. Electric field. Coulumb’s law, Gauss’s law. – 4h
15. Electric potential, its calculation. Capacitance. – 4h
16. Electric current, electric circuits. Joule – Lenz law. – 4h

17. 3rd test: Electric field and current. – 2,5h

Requirements for awarding credit points

The requirement is – passing the test.

In order to pass the test, 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 (including - at least 50% of maximum possible points in theoretical tests).

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 – 3;
2/Practical exercise tests – 3;
3/Laboratory works (work and defence) – 8.

The evaluation of the theory tests is in the range from 0 to 15 points, thus the maximum number of points in the theory part is 45 points.
The evaluation of each problem solving test is in the range from 0 to 10 points, the total maximum number of points in problem solving tests is 30 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 by multiplying the average points by 3, so the maximum number of points in laboratory work part is 30 points.

The maximum number of points in the study course is 105 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. Žurnāls "Terra" Rīga: Latvijas Universitāte ISSN 977-1407-7191