General physics, Part A

Duration

30h Th, 20h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Ngoc Duy Nguyen

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The content of the second semester course is divided into two parts. In the first one, the study of mechanics, initiated during the first semester is complemented by rotational dynamics. The second part is devoted to electricity and magnetism, including an introdution to wave optics. The table of contents of these parts is given here below.
Mechanics : - Rotations - Dynamics of rigid bodies - Statics
Electromagnetism : - Electric force and electric field - Flux of the electric field and Gauss's law - Electric potential - Capacity, capacitors and dielectrics - Current and resistance, Ohm's law - Steady currents, Kirchhoff's laws - Magnetic induction field - Faraday's law - Inductance - AC currents - Maxwell's equations - Propagation of electromagnetic waves - Optical reflection and refraction - Polarisation, diffusion and dispersion

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The purpose of the course is to give students the basics of rotational mechanics, electricity and magnetism. Focus is put on a phenomenological and intuitive presentation in order to ensure a physical understanding of phenomena and to facilitate the access to the more general formalisms of subsequent studies.
The experimental aspect of physics will be particularly emphasized. This approach should allow the sudent to realize that physics is not a fixed science but that, on the contrary, it is an ever-evolving discipline.
Besides the assimilation of knowledge and know-how, students will need to sharpen their critical sense and develop their ability to establish links between observations and laws, between practice and theory.
At the end of this course, students will have to be able to describe, rigorously and by using the appropriate wording, the basic physical phenomena linked to rotational dynamics, electricity, magnetism and optics, as well as to answer correctly to questions related to those topics. As they face new problems, they are expected to be able to identify the laws of physics to be applied and to propose consistent solutions based on the competencies that they will have acquired from the recitations. Finally, they should be able to practically apply the theoretical concepts of the course by using experimental setups they will have learned to manipulate during the labs.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Secondary school mathematics. Knowledge and know-how from semester 1 physics course.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Recitations (problem solving) and lab works (mandatory activities) will be organized. These sessions take place in small groups in order to encourage interaction.
Besides the problems solved under the guidance of the tutor, students are strongly encouraged to train themselves in the solving of additional problems given in the reference book.
Moreover, in order to fill possible gaps, numerous remediation sessions are proposed during the semester and allow students who feel the necessity to review, under a more focused guidance, some parts of the lectures.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

The course contains about twenty theoretical lectures, two hours each, which are focused on the fundamental concepts. These lectures are illustrated by experimental demonstrations.
About twelve sessions of recitations are also planned. The accurate schedule will be given during the first lecture.
Optional online activities will moreover be proposed on the eCampus platform. In order to create an environment leading to collaborative study groups, discussion spaces will be allocated on that platform. Students are therefore encouraged to use those extra resources which are meant to stimulate the learning process. Teacher and tutors will come regularly to moderate these forums and answer questions.

Recommended or required readings

Slides and complementary resources (illustrations, texts, videos) will be available on eCampus. The formatting of the slides is meant to encourage the participation of students during the lectures. Practical details concerning the access to eCampus will be given during the first lecture.
The course is based on numerous textbooks. Here are some examples of useful textbooks : "Physics for Scientists and Engineers", R. A. Serway and J. W. Jewett (Brooks Cole Edition, 2009) Ed. 8. "Physique Générale 2, Electricité et Magnétisme", D. C. Giancoli (De Boeck, 1997). "Physique 2, Electricité et Magnétisme", H. Benson (De Boeck, 2004) Ed. 3.
An electronic copy of the laboratory notebook will also be available on eCampus.

Assessment methods and criteria

For each session, the assessment consists in a written exam on problem solving (30%), an oral exam on the lab works (25%) and an oral exam on the theory (45%).
An intermediate assessment will be organized during the semester. Moreover, the completion of a dedicated homework, the details of which will be given in due time, can give students a bonus to be used for the final grade.
Students must hold their ULg student card and their identity card to take the examinations. In case of default, access to the exam could not be granted.
Programmable calculators are forbidden during the assessments. Only basic scientific calculators are allowed (in case of doubt, ask the teacher during the semester).
Students who wish to obtain a "presence" mark must absolutely show up at the written problem solving examination and at the oral lab examination. Presence at the oral theory examination is validated in case of presence at the written examination.
The only possible partial exemption concerns the lab works. This exemption is granted for students who have obtained a grade equal or higher than 10/20 at the session of May/June. It cannot be carried to the next academic year.
All information concerning exemptions will be displayed near the secretary office.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

The pedagogical team (teacher, assistants, tutors, logisticians) are willing to answer all student questions during the lecture periods.
The teacher will be available for weekly sessions during which students may ask specific questions concerning the lectures. The schedule of these sessions will be communicated during the first lecture. Appointments can also be made, within the scope of the teacher's availability.
For questions about recitations and lab works, students are invited to address them directly to the involved assistants and logisticians.
During the exam periods and the official holidays, the pedagogical team is not expected to answer questions as all required information would have already been given.
The results of the first session exams will be displayed near the secretary office. Exam copies could be consulted during specific periods which will be communicated in due time. No detail about the marks can be given by e-mail nor by phone.

Contacts

The offices of the Physics Department are located at the Institute of Physics, building B5a. In particular, the secretary is located on the first floor, room 1/47.
The ULg email account (address type identifier@student.ulg.ac.be) is one of the official means of communication offered by the University. As a consequence, students must use their ULg account to send emails to the pedagogical team. Moreover, they are asked to specify at the beginning of the message title "[Student PHYS3031-1]" in order to facilitate the processing of the message.
Teacher : N. D. Nguyen - R/49 (building B5a, level 0) - tel. : 04/366 3604 - e-mail : ngocduy.nguyen@ulg.ac.be
Secretary : A. Ortega - 1/47 (building B5a, level 1) - tel. : 04/366 9074 - e-mail : a.ortega@ulg.ac.be
Logisticians : C. Becco - tel. : 04/366 3707 - e-mail : C.Becco@ulg.ac.be, Ch. Prosperi - tel. : 04/366 3663 - e-mail : Christelle.Prosperi@ulg.ac.be

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