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| ENVT0869-1 | Introduction to environmental physics
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| Duration : | 20h Th, 5h Pr |
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| Credits/ECTS : |
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| Holder(s) : | Jean‑Jacques Boreux, Jacques Nicolas |
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| Language : | French language |
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| Course contents : | The lecture is an upgrading of basic skills including two parts given by 2 different lecturers (Jean-Jacques BOREUX-1 credit et Jacques NICOLAS-1 credit). It aims at recalling basic notions of physics which will be useful to understand some environmental issues.
Outline of part of Jean-Jacques Boreux:
In a first part of the course, we recall the importance of the dimensional analysis in physics based on the theorem of Buckingham. We show that the dimensional analysis makes possible to derive fundamental laws of physics, from the fall of an apple until the connection between the mass and the speed of a flying object which applies as well to a dragonfly or to an airliner. Thus the dimensional analysis appears as a powerful tool allowing the environmentalist to come to a reliable conclusion concerning the coherence of a quantitative reasoning even if he is not himself an expert of the discipline implied in this reasoning.
In a second part of the course, we recall the bases of atmospheric thermodynamics from the law of perfect gases until the reduction of the pressure to the sea level. The purpose of this part is primarily to reconcile the student with basic mathematical formalism impossible to circumvent in environmental sciences.
Outline of part of Jacques Nicolas:
-quick revising essential mathematical notions (derivative, integral, divergence, gradient, ...)
-reminding basic notions of physics (force, pressure, power and energy) in relation with environmental issues.
-major conservation principles (mass, linear momentum, energy, equation of continuity)
-electricity and magnetism
-waves |
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| Course objective : | The purpose of this course of upgrade in physics is to remind the students the bases of the scientific steps of the physicists from the statement of an assumption to the formulation of a law. The aim is not to give a complete lecture in physics, but to help the student to think about the application of major physical laws in an environmental context. |
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| Prerequisites : | Basic facts of physics and mathematics (secondary education level). |
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| Workshops : | Various exercises are solved during the course, other ones are proposed for a personal work at home. The student may consult solutions. |
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| Organization : | The lecture is given in modules covering each a half-day of 4 hours (1 credit=3 half-days), in an independent way for each lecturer, but within a condensed time period. |
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| Written notes : | Lecture notes are available. For the part of Jacques Nicolas, the "power point" version can be downloaded on official ULg web site, as well as exercises and solutions. |
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| Assessment : | Without any support, the student must be able to answer theoretical questions and to solve problems similar to those proposed during lecture. A single written exam is organised for both parts of the course. |
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| Contacts : | Jean-Jacques BOREUX
Département des Sciences et Gestion de l'Environnement
Université de Liège-Campus d'Arlon
Avenue de Longwy, 185
B-6700 ARLON
Belgium
Tel: 32 (0) 63 23 08 56
Fax: 32 (0)63 23 08 00
Email: jj.boreux@ulg.ac.be
Jacques NICOLAS
Département des Sciences et Gestion de l'Environnement
Université de Liège-Campus d'Arlon
Avenue de Longwy, 185
B-6700 ARLON
Belgium
Tel: 32 (0) 63 23 08 57
Fax: 32 (0)63 23 08 00
Email: j.nicolas@ulg.ac.be |
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