After completing this course students are able to:
- explain the fundamental principles and concepts in mechanics and describe how physicists explore, model, apply principles, and make testable predictions when they attempt to solve a concrete real physical problems.
- apply the laws of Newton and the concepts of velocity, acceleration, friction and power in order to solve a wide range of mechanical problems.
- use the concepts of mechanical energy, momentum, and angular momentum and their associated conservation principles to study collisions, and the movement of rigid bodies.
- explain why harmonic motions are observed in many systems in nature and solve problems involving damped and forced oscillations.
- induce Newton’s universal law of gravity from Kepler’s laws and apply it to study the movement of planets, moons and satellites.
- describe how Einstein's postulates of special relativity require a new understanding of space and time, and solve problems involving time dilation and space contraction.
- describe the differences between the classical and relativistic Doppler effect and law for adding relativistic velocities, and apply these in specific situations.
- explain why concepts such as energy and momentum have to be modified in special relativity, describe examples of the resulting equivalence between mass and energy, and study collisions and decay processes of particles.
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Weight |
Assesses which course aims? |
Standard course format assessment
- Quiz 1
- Mid-term exam
- Quiz 2
- Final exam
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10 %
40 %
10 %
40 %
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1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3, 4
6, 7
1, 5, 6, 7, 8
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Relativistic and Classical Physics offers an introduction to fundamental principles, concepts and problem solving methods in physics. This hinges in two main topics. One is classical mechanics with its bedrock concepts such as inertia, momentum and energy as well as its more diffuse concepts such as absolute space and absolute time. The other topic is Einstein’s special theory of relativity with its new view on space and time, paradoxes, and its role as a gateway to modern physics beyond mechanics.
This course is for students looking to broaden their knowledge in classical and relativistic mechanics physics, not only as a scientific discipline, but also as a source of knowledge and fundamental principles that are fundamental for a deeper understanding of how the world we live in works. In addition, in this course you are also introduced to advanced problem solving methods relevant for those students considering to pursue a physics-related career.
This course is required for those planning on joining the Double Degree in LAS and Physics offered by University College Utrecht and the Physics Department of UU.
Format
The course consists of two classes per week over 15 weeks. The first weekly class is an interactive lecture introducing, discussing and illustrating the theory, while the second one is a problem solving session. In preparation for the lecture students have to complete tutorials from the teaching and learning platform MasteringPhysics, while in preparation for the exercise session students has to attempt exercises from MasteringPhysics and the course exercise set. Outside the four class hours a week, students are expected to study 10 hours a week on average, reading the relevant sections of the textbook and lecture notes, solving exercises for class presentations or hand-in assignments and writing an essay.
IMPORTANT: You must be ready to use MasteringPhysics five days before the first class. If you buy 2nd hand, you MUST purchase an access code to MasteringPhysics from http://www.masteringphysics.com and register as a student and pay by credit card.
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