Physics I

Physics and Mathematics of secondary education.

Theoretical-practical classes based on the oral presentation of theoretical concepts and critical discussion of their application to the resolution of exercises.

Use of active learning methodologies in the classroom, with and without the use of digital platforms.

A. Physical Quantities and Units

A.1. Understand the importance of, characterize, and distinguish physical quantities (scalar and vector).
A.2. Identify different types of unit systems (absolute and gravitational).
A.3. Correctly use SI units and prefixes, applying unit conversion techniques in various contexts.
A.4. Identify and classify base and derived quantities, applying dimensional analysis to verify the consistency of equations.

B. Vector Calculus

B.1. Understand the concept of a vector and its different operations (addition, subtraction, dot product, and cross product).
B.2. Represent vectors graphically and analytically in different systems.
B.3. Solve Physics problems using vector components, applying vector calculus in the description and analysis of exercises.

C. Newton’s Laws

C.1. State and interpret Newton’s laws, identifying them in proposed problems.
C.2. Classify the nature of forces within their fundamental interactions.
C.3. Identify, analyze, and represent vectorially the most common forces (gravitational, friction, normal reaction, and tension).
C.4. Construct free-body diagrams, apply Newton’s laws, solve proposed problems, and critically analyze and evaluate the results obtained.

D. Rigid Body Equilibrium

D.1. Understand the concept of a rigid body and distinguish the center of mass of a discrete particle system from that of a continuous system.
D.2. Understand the concept of the moment of a force (torque), its 3D vector representation, calculate its magnitude, and understand and state the concept of lever arm.
D.3. Understand the conditions of static equilibrium of a rigid body (translation and rotation), with the application of Newton’s First Law.
D.4. Identify forces and moments acting on a rigid body, solving problems of simple structures in static equilibrium.
D.5. Critically analyze limiting cases in static equilibrium.

E. Kinematics

E.1. Interpret the motion of particles in one, two, and three dimensions.
E.2. Relate graphical, algebraic, and vector representations of motion.
E.3. Calculate displacement, velocity, and acceleration in different types of motion.
E.4. Interpret and construct position-time, velocity-time, and acceleration-time graphs.
E.5. Analyze, interpret, and distinguish: uniform linear motion (ULM), uniformly accelerated linear motion (UALM), free fall, circular motion, simple harmonic motion (SHM), and projectile motion.
E.6. Solve problems using kinematic equations, identifying the type of motion in question and critically analyzing the results obtained.

F. Work and Energy

F.1. Understand the concepts of work, types of energy, and power.
F.2. Calculate the work done by constant and variable forces, power, and efficiency.
F.3. Determine the kinetic, potential, and mechanical energy of a system.
F.4. Apply the work-energy theorems, analyzing physical systems.
F.5. Solve problems by applying the work-energy theorems, critically analyzing the results obtained.

G. Mechanical Waves and Sound

G.1. Understand the fundamental concept of wave and vibration, identifying and distinguishing transverse and longitudinal waves.
G.2. Apply the wave propagation equation for linear waves and characterize mechanical waves (frequency, amplitude, wavelength, propagation speed).
G.3. Understand the nature of sound waves, analyze the sound spectrum, and relate it to different industrial applications.
G.4. Identify, determine, and distinguish sound intensity, auditory intensity, sound power, and sound intensity level.
G.5. Identify and analyze wave phenomena, such as the Doppler effect, constructive and destructive interference, and beats.
G.6. Solve problems by analyzing the wave phenomenon in question.
G.7. Understand the consequences of noise pollution and the need for solutions to reduce it.

H. Hydrostatics

H.1. Understand the relationship between absolute, relative, hydrostatic, and atmospheric pressure, and pressure forces.
H.2. State and interpret the fundamental principle of hydrostatics, Archimedes’ principle, and Pascal’s principle.
H.3. Calculate the variation of pressure as a function of depth and the buoyant force exerted on bodies immersed in liquids and gases at equilibrium.
H.4. Solve proposed problems by applying Newton’s laws and/or the above principles.
H.5. Analyze practical applications (barometers, manometers, hydraulic and pneumatic systems).

I. Hydrodynamics

I.1. Identify and distinguish ideal fluids from real fluids and the different types of flow.
I.2. Analyze the motion of ideal fluids in steady flow, understanding energy conservation relationships in flows.
I.3. State and apply the continuity equation and Bernoulli’s equation for incompressible flows.
I.4. Analyze and derive Torricelli’s theorem from Bernoulli’s equation.
I.5. Solve flow problems in pipes and jets, applying the above equations and the work-energy theorems.
I.6. Interpret practical applications: flow in pipes, Venturi effect, airplane wings.
I.7. Understand the concept of viscosity and viscous flow in pipes.
I.8. Understand Poiseuille’s law for the calculation of volumetric flow rate in laminar flow in cylindrical conduits.
I.9. Relate Stokes’ law to natural and technological phenomena (sedimentation, meteorology, engineering).

1. Physical Quantities and Units
1.1. Scalar and vector physical quantities
1.2. Vector calculus
1.3. Base quantities
1.4. Systems of units

2. Statics and Dynamics
2.1. Newton’s laws
2.2. Forces and their interactions
2.3. Rigid body equilibrium
2.4. Center of mass

3. Kinematics
3.1. Velocity, acceleration, and trajectory
3.2. Uniform Rectilinear Motion (URM)
3.3. Uniformly Accelerated Rectilinear Motion (UARM)
3.4. Free fall motion
3.5. Circular motion (uniform and non-uniform)
3.6. Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
3.7. Projectile motion

4. Work and Energy
4.1. Work done by a force
4.2. Types of energy
4.3. Work-energy relations
4.4. Conservative and non-conservative forces
4.5. Power and efficiency

5. Mechanical Waves and Sound
5.1. Wave as a wave phenomenon
5.2. Transverse and longitudinal waves
5.3. Linear wave equation
5.4. Nature of sound and sound spectrum
5.5. Sound intensity vs auditory intensity, sound power, and sound intensity level
5.6. Noise pollution
5.7. Doppler effect
5.8. Constructive and destructive interference and beats

6. Hydrostatics
6.1. Relative, absolute, hydrostatic pressure, and pressure forces
6.2. Fundamental principle of hydrostatics
6.3. Archimedes’ principle and Pascal’s principle
6.4. Pascal’s principle

7. Hydrodynamics
7.1. Ideal vs real fluids
7.2. Types of flow
7.3. Continuity equation
7.4. Bernoulli’s equation and its applications
7.5. Viscosity and viscous fluid flow
7.6. Poiseuille’s law and Stokes’ law

Continuous evaluation

Mandatory: to have the minimum number of attendances in the TP classes, as stated in the current Academic Regulations.

Four evaluation elements (rated from 0 to 20 values):

 A – Classroom In-person Participation (PP)

 Activities carried out in the context of class, with or without prior notice, with a weight of 10%.

 The activities developed will address topics related to the program, the score in this assessment element will be given depending on the number of activities carried out versus the number of activities in which the student actually participated.

 Note: The student absent from the class where an activity was carried out may be allowed to carry out the activity within a deadline, outside the classroom.

B - Test 1 (T1)

 Written test with multiple choice questions, T/F and open response with a weight of 30%.

Test 1 will evaluate the following program topics: vector calculus, physical quantities and units, Newton's laws and rigid body equilibrium.

 C - Test 2 (T2)

Written test with multiple choice questions, T/F and open response with a weight of 30%.

Test 2 will evaluate the following program topics: kinematics and work-energy.

D - Test 3 (T3) 

Written test with multiple choice questions, T/F and open response with a weight of 30%.

Test 3 will assess the following program topics: mechanical waves and sound, hydrostatics and hydrodynamics.

Attention: The classification obtained in the various assessment elements is only valid during that academic year.

Classification:

The final rating (on a scale of 0 to 20) results from the weighted average of the four evaluation components mentioned above,

0,10xPP + 0,30xT1 + 0,30xT2 + 0,30xT3, rounded to two decimal places. The student is approved if the weighted average equals or exceeds 9.50.

Note: There is no minimum classification in the assessment elements (PP, T1, T2 and T3) to be used in calculating the weighted average during the continuous assessment.

Exam assessment:

1.  Students without minimum number of attendances  in TP classes and/or with minimum number of attendances, but who did not participate in any PP activities:

- Assessment with just one written test with a weight of 100%.

 The student is approved if the classification equals or exceeds 9.50.

 2.  Students with minimum number of attendances  in TP classes who participated in PP activities and who did not pass the Continuous Assessment: 

i)  Students who do not obtain approval through Continuous Assessment and who, simultaneously, have obtained a classification greater than or equal to 7.50 in at least one of the parts of this assessment, Test 1, Test 2 or Test 3, may choose to take only the parts in the Final Exam corresponding to the part of the Continuous Assessment in which they had a grade lower than 7.50 or for the overall completion of the exam (EG).

ii)   Students who do not obtain approval through Continuous Assessment and who, simultaneously, have obtained a classification greater than or equal to 7.50 in the assessment elements Test 1, Test 2 and Test 3, may choose to take only one or two parts of the exam or by completing the exam overall (EG).

Classification:

The final rating (on a scale of 0 to 20) results from the weighted average of the evaluation components mentioned above,

0,10xPP + 0,30xT1 + 0,30xT2 + 0,30xT3, rounded to two decimal places, where the T1, T2 and/or T3 grades obtained by exam will be used in the formula.

Or

0,10xPP + 0,90xEG, rounded to two decimal places, where EG is the grade obtained by the overall exam.

The student is approved if the weighted average equals or exceeds 9.50.

Grade improvement exam:

- Assessment with just one written test with a weight of 100%.

NAO