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Agrophysics

Course developers

Course abstract

Course of agro physics consists of three parts and it is mastered within lectures, laboratory works and individual studies. Physics uses basic knowledge to explain conditions such as water, heat, light and exchange of gases- that are essential for existence of biological objects. Meteorology. Gives knowledge on atmosphere processes, determining weather and plants growing conditions. Radiobiology. The aim of this course is to master basis and units of measure of ionizing radiance in radiobiology, the biological impact of ionizing radiance, application radiance and measures of precaution.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

After completing the course, students will have:
knowledge of the regularities considered in the course of agrophysics and critical understanding of their applicability to describe real processes considered in their specialty (4 tests);
skills to perform measurements of physical quantities and perform calculations in the research of their field, to summarize and analytically describe the results (18 8+5+5) laboratory works, their calculations);

competence to evaluate the results of measurements and calculations, to look for solutions to problems (defense of 18 laboratory works).

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Introduction. Kinematics. Subject matter of the meteorology (3h).
2. Dynamics. Composition of the atmosphere (3h).
3. Kinematics of rotation. Solar radiation (3h).
4. Rotation dynamics. Photosynthetic active radiation (3h).
5. Surface tension. Temperature regimes for soil and water basins (3h).
6. Capillary action. Atmospheric air temperature mode (3h).
7. Viscosity of fluids. The balance of the atmosphere (3h).
8. Flows of fluids and gases. Humidity of the air (3h).
9. Temperature and heat. Rainfall (3h).
10. Heat exchange processes. Soil humidity (3h).
11. Diffusion. Wind (3h).
12. Osmosis. Atmospheric circulation (3h).
13. Electromagnetic radiation. Time and forecasting it (3h).
14. Light. Air masses (3h).
15. Spectral analysis. Adverse weather events (3h).
16. Summary (4h).
17. Physical bases of radiobiology. (4h)
18. Protection of products against radioactive substances (4h).
19. Safety of work in working with sources of ionising radiation (4h).
20. Radioecology (4h).

Requirements for awarding credit points

The exam must be passed. Conditions for taking an exam:
1/ Meteorological part, is required to collect 50% of the maximum possible score, summing up the score; tests in theory (maximum 10 p) and average evaluation of laboratory works (maximum 10 p);
2/ In the physics part, it is necessary to collect 50% of the maximum possible score by summing up the score; tests in theory (maximum 2 x 10 p) and the average score of laboratory works (maximum 10 p).

3/ In radiobiology, the intended laboratory works must be successfully completed, in the final test 4 points must be obtained from the maximum 10. The final mark consists of the evaluation of the final test.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1. Study literature independently according to the course plan.

2. Laboratory work should be processed and counted.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The overall assessment in the course is determined as the weighted average of the grades obtained from the Physics, Meteorological and Radiobiological Parts.
A student can obtain a successful mark for a test or exam if he / she collect at least 50% of the points in the assessment.

Students who have acquired at least 60% of the maximum possible score during the entire semester can receive an accumulative score.

Compulsory reading

1. Fizika visiem. http://estudijas.llu.lv.
2. Fizika. A.Valtera red. Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1992. 733 lpp.
3. Pandalons V., Iljins U. Meteoroloģija. Jelgava, LLU, 1999-2001. 3 daļas. 173 lpp, 175 lpp, 168 lpp.

4. Millers A., Rūse I. Vispārīgā radiobioloģija un praktiskā radioekoloģija. Rīga, Zvaigzne, 1995. 313 lpp.

Further reading

1. Giancoli D. C. Physics Principles with Applications. 6th Edition. New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc, 2005. 946 p.
2. Pandalons V., Pelēce I. Meteoroloģijas terminu vārdnīca. Jelgava, 2003. 150 lpp.
Ahrens C.D. Meteorology Today. New York: West Publishing Co., 1991. 331 p.
3. Dehtjars J. u.c. Radiācijas drošības rokasgrāmata speciālistiem. Rīga, 2004.- 97 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Žurnāls "Terra" Rīga: Latvijas universitāte ISSN 977-1407-7191

Notes

The course is included in the compulsory part of the professional
Bachelor’s degree program Agriculture