Elements of physics : mechanics

Duration

15h Th, 10h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Matthieu Verstraete

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course aims to give students an understanding the basis of the fundamental laws which govern the physical phenomena which surround us: The laws of classical mechanics, which give a systematic, mathematic, and universal approach to problems (in physics or elsewhere)

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

One central outcome is to learn to model processes in a mathematical, algorithmic, and efficient manner.
The second step is to solve problems by reasoning either in:

• a reductionist fashion (e.g. division of a system into components and integration of the equations of motion) or
• a global fashion (using conservation laws, e.g. of energy).

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basic mathematics, including trigonometry, vectors, projections and geometry... Refreshers are organized during classes.
No prerequisite course module.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

10 hours of practical sessions divided as 5 x 2 hours of problem questions on point and solid object mechanics.
A mid-term test will be organized beginning of November, to give each student a reference point for her/his own level of understanding, and the difficulty of the exam in January. The test will be followed by a correction by the teaching assistant, with explanations of important points and difficulties - these remedial sessions are obligatory for students whose grade is lower than 8/20.
At the end of each semester, a question and answer session is held, in view of preparing for exams. Timetables are established at the beginning of each year.

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

All courses and problem sessions are in face-to-face format.
Information concerning the organization of the lectures and practical sessions will be communicated through myULiège and the web site of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

Recommended or required readings

All slides for ex cathedra classes are on MyULiège
Reference textbook: Kane&Sternheim Physique (1986) Dunod ed. ISBN 2 10 007169 6
French translation by Ph. Ghosez, M. Hoebeke, et G. Llabres
 
Other references: * Physics Eugene Hecht ISBN-10: 2744500186
* University Physics, Harris Benson ISBN-10: 0471006890
* Fundamentals of Physics, Halliday & Resnick ISBN-10: 0470469110

Assessment methods and criteria

January: exam on mechanics containing

• 1 multiple choice section with short questions on all of the material
• open questions on the theory and concepts seen in class
• problem questions similar to those in the book by Kane and Sternheim, and in the problem sets with the TA

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Matthieu Verstraete Université de Liège Département de Physique, Bât. B5a, 3/07
Allée du 6 Août, 19 B- 4000 Sart Tilman, Liège Belgium
Phone : +32 4 366 90 17 Mail : matthieu.verstraete@uliege.be
Teaching assistant: Fabio Ricci Phone : +32 4 366 36 36 Mail: fabio.ricci@uliege.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

All of the subject matter was covered in the first quadri-mester, so no change
All transparencies are now on ecampus as well
A Q&A forum is open on ecampus

Assessment subjects

The 2020 exam covers the whole of the subject matter (kinematics, dynamics, static, energies and power, momentum etc...). Complications due to the examination mode will of course be taken into account

Assessment methods

The exam will be of reduced length (2h) and entirely written and online via ecampus, with multiple choice questions covering the whole of the subject matter, be it theoretical or practical (problem sets). Each exam will be personalized.
Students will have freedom to consult any text book they like (open book exam), but are forbidden from communicating amongst themselves during the whole duration of the exam, following the ULiège charter they will have signed before the exam session. We trust in their sense of fairplay as well as the shared interest in holding an equitable and fair exam for everyone.

Contacts

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

The 2020 exam covers the whole of the subject matter (kinematics, dynamics, static, energies and power, momentum etc...). Complications due to the examination mode will of course be taken into account

Assessment methods

The exam will be of reduced length (2h) and entirely written and online via ecampus, with multiple choice questions covering the whole of the subject matter, be it theoretical or practical (problem sets). Each exam will be personalized.

Students will have freedom to consult any text book they like (open book exam), but are forbidden from communicating amongst themselves during the whole duration of the exam, following the ULiège charter they will have signed before the exam session. We trust in their sense of fairplay as well as the shared interest in holding an equitable and fair exam for everyone.

Contacts

Items online