Conceptual Physics with technical Applications

Enseignants

Toussaint Sébastien;

Langue
d'enseignement

Anglais

Préalables

Le(s) prérequis de cette Unité d’enseignement (UE) sont précisés à la fin de cette fiche, en regard des programmes/formations qui proposent cette UE.

Acquis
d'apprentissage

A la fin de cette unité d’enseignement, l’étudiant est capable de :

Maîtriser correctement les ordres de grandeur et les unités. Résoudre des problèmes de physique élémentaire grâce à l'analyse dimensionnelle, l'analyse vectorielle et l'analyse énergétique. Identifier comment ces problèmes permettent d'évaluer les systèmes technologiques. Expliquer, à l'aide des concepts physiques pertinents, des observations élémentaires. Formuler des concepts et des idées de manière scientifique.

Contenu

In this course, students will develop the methodological approach to describe a physical phenomenon. The method is based on three building blocks: dimensional analysis, vector-based analysis (Newton’s law of motion), and energy-based analysis (work-energy theorem). This course aims at bridging the gap between physics-based concepts and their real-world implementations in technologies. Students will strengthen their critical reasoning with the help of the scientific method to estimate the potential, feasibility, and the viability of technological projects.
After attending this course, the student will be able to:

• Master adequately orders of magnitudes and units.
• Solve elementary physics problems.
• Identify how these problems help to assess technological systems. 
• Explain, thanks to the relevant physical laws, the basic working principles underlying selected technologies.
• Formulate concepts and insights in a scientific manner.

This course follows a keywords-based learning. 
Here is a list of the keywords on which you can be evaluated at the exam:
Angular diameter, Fermi questions, Dimensional analysis, units, kinematics, cartesian coordinates, inertial and non-inertial frame of reference, fictitious forces, centripetal acceleration, dynamics, free body diagram, analogy between linear and rotation quantities (e.g. linear and angular momentum), Newton's law of motion (I, II and III), tension, principles, writing vectors, forces, torques, impulse-momentum theorem, work-energy theorem (P.E. and K.E.), uniform linear motion, uniform circular motion, universal law of gravity, free fall, projectile motion, inclined plane, simple (not compound) pendulum, drag force, terminal velocity, Pascal's principle, Archimede's principle. 

Méthodes d'enseignement

Four hours a week are dedicated to INGE1243 during the semester: an ex-cathedra lecture (two hours) is followed by a session of two hours of exercise session. One (or two) topic is extensively presented ex-cathedra (e.g. the drag force, work-energy theorem, etc.) and the same topic is exemplified in the following exercise session. The exercises can be separated into three categories: synthesis questions, conceptual questions, and computational questions. During the session, the students are expected to work by themselves (alone or in small groups). Nevertheless, the teacher is fully available for four tasks: (1) answer clarification questions, (2) deliver tips to guide students (requesting them) towards the solution, (3) discuss the way the student justifies the answer and (4), if necessary, solve “tougher” problems on the board.

Modes d'évaluation
des acquis des étudiants

Written closed-book exam (with form available) with three categories of questions:

• A question evaluating the student’s ability to deploy the scientific method (dimensional, vector-based and energy analysis) on a simple motion (projectile motion, inclined plane, spring, simple pendulum, etc.). The student is eventually asked to realize predictions.

• Conceptual questions. These questions evaluate the student’s ability to identify the relevant concepts required to explain an observation and present a justification.
• A series of exercises. These questions evaluate the student’s ability to solve problems with numerical values.

A written closed-book exam (with form available) is organized in January and August. The examinator delivers an integer grade on a scale of 20. Rounding rules go as follow: e.g. 14.25/20 is converted to 14/20 and 14.5/20 to 15/20. As mentioned above, there are three categories of questions.

Autres infos

The use of a simple (non-graphical and non-programmable) calculator is permitted. During the exam, a form (used during the exercises sessions) is at student’s disposal.

Ressources
en ligne

Lectures notes and exercises (together with their solutions) are posted on Moodle. 

Faculté ou entité
en charge

> ESPB