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Physics for engineers I

Course developer

Course abstract

The aim of the course is to give an overview of fundamental laws of Physics that are essential to problem solving in engineering sciences. Course consists of lectures, manual training, laboratory 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. While working on individual works student learns to numerically calculate values of different physical parameters and 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 and individual 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. – 1 h
2. Kinematics. – 2 h
3. Dynamics. – 3h
4. Rotational motion. – 3h
5. Work, Power. Energy. – 2h
6. Fundamentals of fluid mechanics. – 1 h
7. Equation of continuity for fluids, laws of Bernoulli, Stokes and Poiseuille – 3 h
8. 1st test: Mechanics. – 2h
9. Fundamentals of Molecular physics. The kinetic theory of gases. – 2h
10. Maxwell-Boltzmann speed distribution. – 2h
11. Boltzmann distribution law. – 1h
12. Transport processes (diffusion, thermal conduction, viscosity). – 3h
13. First law of thermodynamics. Work in thermodynamic processes. – 2h
14. Cyclic processes. – 1h
15. Second law of thermodynamics. Entropy, free energy, thermodynamic potential. – 2h

16. 2nd test: Molecular physics. – 2h

Requirements for awarding credit points

The requirement is – passing the test (with a mark).
In order to pass the test, all individual works must be submitted and defended, 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

Each student will be assigned 2 individual works on the following topics:
1. Kinematics;
2. Dynamics;
In accordance with the description of individual works, the calculation of the required values must be carried out and one or more graphs drawn.
The works must be submitted in paper format. Each Individual work must be defended.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Knowledge control: 1) Theory tests – 2;
2) Practical exercise tests – 2;
3) Laboratory works (development and defence) – 4; 4) Individual works (development and defence) –2.
Each test shall be evaluated by 0-10 points.

Compulsory reading

1. Fizika, Valtera redakcijā Rīga, Zvaigzne, 1992. 733 lpp. 2. Fizika, A. Apinis, Rīga, Zvaigzne, 1972. 708 lpp.
2. Jansone M., Kalnača A. u.c. Uzdevumu krājums vispārīgajā fizikā. Rīga: RTU, 2000. 247 lpp.

Further reading

1. Douglas C. Giancoli. Physics: principles with applications. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Education International, 2005. 946 p.
2. Serway R. A., Jewett J. W. Physics for scientists and engineers, with modern physics. 9th ed. Boston, MA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning, 2014. 1484 p.
3. Physics for scientists and engineers: an interactive approach. R. Hawkes et al. Toronto: Nelson Education, 2014. 946 p.
4. Tipler P. A., Mosca G. Physics for Scientists and Engineers. 6th edition. New York, NY: W. H. Freeman, 2008. 1172 p.

Notes

The study course is included in the compulsory part of the second level bachelor’s study programme Biosystems Machinery and Technologies.