2023
General Physics I
Name: General Physics I
Code: FIS13008L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Physics
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The disciplines of Física Geral I e II (General Physics I and II) should be considered together for the general objectives in this course. A variety of physical phenomena and concepts, fundamental for the understanding of the present scientific and technological progress, are presented, relating Physics - both in the classical and more recent fields - to the other Sciences and Engineering, and giving an up-to-date perspective of some of the contemporary research subjects. In a qualitative way, we intend to interest the students in most of the main subjects in Physics, including some more recent topics they were never taught in secondary school. Besides, we want to promote their abstract thinking skills, applying elementary mathematical techniques, as well as initiate them to laboratory work, because most of the students never participated in experimental classes.
Contents
I. Mechanics
• Scientific method. Measurements, units and dimensions.
• Kinematics and dynamics of mass points. Newtons laws and applications.
• Work and energy. Collisions and momentum. Conservation laws.
• Systems of many particles. The rigid body. Angular momentum.
• Universal gravitation.
II. Oscillations and waves
• Periodic and simple harmonic motion. Forced oscillations and resonance.
• Coupled oscillators. Normal modes.
• Progressive waves. The Doppler effect.
• Superposition and interference. Standing waves.
III. Option
A.Thermodynamics
• Thermal equilibrium and temperature.
• The ideal gas. The equation of state. Internal energy, heat and work.
• Calorimetry. Work and heat in thermal processes.
• The kinetic theory of gases.
• The 2nd law of thermodynamics. Heat engines. Reversible and irreversible processes. Entropy.
B.Topics on mechanical properties of solids
• Stress, deformation, elasticity and Hookes law.
• Microscopic model for mechanical constant of solids.
• Scientific method. Measurements, units and dimensions.
• Kinematics and dynamics of mass points. Newtons laws and applications.
• Work and energy. Collisions and momentum. Conservation laws.
• Systems of many particles. The rigid body. Angular momentum.
• Universal gravitation.
II. Oscillations and waves
• Periodic and simple harmonic motion. Forced oscillations and resonance.
• Coupled oscillators. Normal modes.
• Progressive waves. The Doppler effect.
• Superposition and interference. Standing waves.
III. Option
A.Thermodynamics
• Thermal equilibrium and temperature.
• The ideal gas. The equation of state. Internal energy, heat and work.
• Calorimetry. Work and heat in thermal processes.
• The kinetic theory of gases.
• The 2nd law of thermodynamics. Heat engines. Reversible and irreversible processes. Entropy.
B.Topics on mechanical properties of solids
• Stress, deformation, elasticity and Hookes law.
• Microscopic model for mechanical constant of solids.
Teaching Methods
Presentations of the subjects in lectures to the students (sometimes using video projections). Solution of exercise problems. Experimental laboratory work.
Assessment
• Evaluation:
The theoretical component of this UC can be assessed through two tests during the semester or a final exam. Students who did not take the first test or who scored less than 8 points must take the final exam. There is also an appeal exam, but without the possibility of repeating only one test.
The practical component of this course evaluates the reports of the laboratory work performed in small groups. Laboratory work requires the continuous presence of the students in and cannot be replaced by any type of final experimental exam.
The final mark of this course is calculated as 70% of the mark of the theoretical component and 30% of the mark of the practical component, with the necessary condition that neither of the two marks can be lower than 8 points.
The theoretical component of this UC can be assessed through two tests during the semester or a final exam. Students who did not take the first test or who scored less than 8 points must take the final exam. There is also an appeal exam, but without the possibility of repeating only one test.
The practical component of this course evaluates the reports of the laboratory work performed in small groups. Laboratory work requires the continuous presence of the students in and cannot be replaced by any type of final experimental exam.
The final mark of this course is calculated as 70% of the mark of the theoretical component and 30% of the mark of the practical component, with the necessary condition that neither of the two marks can be lower than 8 points.
