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 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.
The Physics MOOC will be counted as a bonus (fully optional) for the course on Mechanics: a certificate of completion of the MOOC (min 50% of the points) will give an additional 2 points out of 20 in the final grade.

At the end of each semester, a question and answer session is held, in view of preparing for exams.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

All courses and problem sessions are in face-to-face format. 

Depending on the risk code (orange or red) the course will go fully remote with podcasts followed by question and answer sessions online.
Information concerning the organization of the lectures and practical sessions will be communicated through ecampus, myULiège and the web site of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

Recommended or required readings

All slides for ex cathedra classes are on ecampus
Reference textbook: Kane&Sternheim Physique (1986) Dunod ed. ISBN 2 10 007169 6
French translation by Ph. Ghosez, M. Hoebeke, et G. Llabres
NB: this book is used by many other sections as well - I recommend you find second hand copies (other sections include medical doctors, veterinarians, geology, geography, biology...)
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

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )

Out-of-session test(s)

Other : Completion of the Physics MOOC gives a bonus of 2/20


Additional information:

January: written 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: Guillaume Allemand Phone : +32 4 366 21 25 Mail: Guillaume.Allemand@uliege.be

Items online