Physics

Knowledge of Physics: at the level of secondary education.
Mathematical knowledge: integral and differential calculus.

In the theoretical-practical classes, a theoretical exposition of each subject is made, which is immediately complemented by the resolution of exercises to apply the acquired knowledge.

There is also a laboratory component in which 4 practical assignments (Surface Tension, Static, Fluid Dynamics, and Rotation Dynamics) are carried out, in groups of 2 students, with delivery of a group report.

Objectives:

• To acquire knowledge to be able to analyze rigid body equilibrium as well as its translation and rotation motions under the action of systems of forces and couples;
• Understanding of concepts, principles and fundamental laws in Fluid Mechanics field.

Generics skills:

• Ability to perform scientific decisions and judgments associated both with the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired;
• Practising the interchanging of ideas and the discussion of problems and solutions and developing a professional attitude in his relation to work;
• Developing self-knowledge acquisition habits.

Specific skills:

• Understanding and ability to manipulate the physical entities and units covered;
• Ability to make the application of acquired knowledge in specific practical situations;
• Ability to make the interpretation and the discussion of the numerical expression and the physical meaning of data from laboratorial experiments.

1. Unit Systems:

• Magnitudes and SI base and derived units;
• Equations of dimensions and principle of dimensional homogeneity;
• SI units used in Engineering;
• Change of system of units.

2. Vector Calculus:

• Scalars and vectors;
• Graphical representation of vectors;
• Bound, sliding and free vectors;
• Graphical operations with free vectors: multiplication by a scalar, addition and subtraction;
• Unit vectors;
• Projection of a vector along an arbitrary direction;
• Cartesian representation of vectors: components of a vector, position vector, module of a vector, directing cosines;
• Analytical operations with vectors: multiplication of a vector by a scalar, addition and subtraction of vectors, dot product, cross product, scalar triple product, and derivative of a vector.

3. Systems of Forces:

• Newton’s laws;
• Types of forces;
• Torque of a force with respect to a point and an axis;
• Resultant force and resultant torque;
• Force couple and torque of a force couple;
• Equivalent systems of forces;
• Reduction of a system of forces to a minimum system: concurrent forces (Varignon’s Theorem), coplanar forces and parallel forces;
• Central axis of a system of forces.

4. Introduction to Statics:

• Free body diagram;
• Systems of forces in equilibrium.

5. Rotation Dynamics:

• Angular momentum of a particle: motion in a surface, circular motion; angular momentum conservation theorem;
• Angular momentum of a rigid body;
• Moment of inertia: principal axis of inertia and Steiner’s theorem;
• Derivation of the equation of the rotational dynamics of the rigid body;
• Kinetic energy of a rigid body: translational and rotational kinetic energy.

6. Fluid Mechanics:

• The concept of fluid, density and pressure;
• Pressure in a fluid (fundamental principle of hydrostatics), equilibrium of a fluid element and pressure and hydrostatic forces;
• Equilibrium of a fluid element and pressure in a fluid (fundamental principle of hydrostatics);
• Pressure gauges;
• Buoyancy (Arquimedes’ principle);
• Pascal’s law and hydraulic press;
• Current lines and flow regimes: laminar and turbulent;
• Mass and volume flow: continuity equation;
• Bernoulli’s equation (ideal fluids);
• Viscosity (real fluids), Poiseuille’s Law and Stokes’ Law;
• Reynolds’s number;
• Surface tension.

 Students can choose to take the final exams listed in the ISEC regulations or the continuous/periodic assessment regime.

There is a requirement to obtain success (minimum of 2 points) in practical work. If students do not comply with this minimum, they are automatically disapproved, not having access to the exams. Exceptions are made for students with Estatuto de Trabalhador-Estudante (Worker-Student status) who may be exempt from carrying out practical work.

Continuous/periodic assessment regime:

The continuous/periodic assessment regime consists of:

• 5 assignment questions (AQ1 – AQ5)
• 3 mini-tests (T1 – T3);
• minimum of 5.0 values in the sum of the notes of the first two mini-tests, whose total quotation is 15.0 values;
• requirement to obtain success (minimum of 2 points) in practical work.
• presence in at least 75% of classes.

The 5 assignment questions (AQ1 - AQ5) all have an equal quotation of 1.0 points.

The 2 tests (T1 and T2) have the following quotation: T1 and T2 – 7.5 points; T3 - 5 points.

The first two mini-test will take place during the school period.

In compliance with point 3), 4) and 5), students will have access to the third mini-test (T3) that will take place on the date of the Normal Season exam.

Strudents will pass the course if QA+Tx11/20+P9,5, where AQ is the classification of the sum of the assignment questions (0 to 5 points), T being the classification of the sum of the tests, a total of 20 values, and P being the classification of practical work (0 to 4 points). provided that P≥2.0.

All students who, having opted for the continuous/periodic assessment regime, do not obtain approval, because they did not comply with the aforementioned in points 3) and 5), will have access to the normal season, provided they meet the one indicated in point 4) (P>=2.0).

Final Exams:

Students who choose to take the final exams will pass the subject if Ex0.8+P≥9.5, where E is the classification of the final exam, rated from 0 to 20, and P is the classification of practical work (0 to 4 values) provided that P≥2.0.

For exams students can take only one pen (black or blue) and calculating machine that does not allow (or enable the blocking of) distance communication and data storage.

Laboratory component:

4 practical assignments will be carried out:

• Experimental determination of the volume of an object immersed in a liquid by determining the buoyancy exerted on the object, and determining the surface tension of a liquid;
• Calibration of a dynamometer and experimental setup of a system of concurrent forces in equilibrium using two masses, a dynamometer and a graduated scale for measuring angles;
• Experimental determination of the mean velocity of an air flow in a tube using the Bernoulli equation and a Venturi tube, determination of the local air velocity using a Pitot tube, and determination of the coefficient of aerodynamic friction of a sphere;
• Experimental determination of the moment of inertia of a rotational device, point masses and a discus;

The laboratory work is carried out in groups of 2 students, with the enrollment of students by groups being carried out in the first laboratory class, giving students knowledge of the calendar to carry out the practical works;

Access to the completion of each work is subject to the delivery and approval (resulting from oral discussion) of a pre-report;

The packages with the necessary data to carry out the pre-reports can be found in the support material on the existing course page of the ISEC InforEstudante platform;

Doubts about the practical work to be carried out, and in particular about the preparation of the pre-report, must be clarified beforehand and in due time during the office hours of the professors;

Each practical work takes place over a two-hour lesson, and the report is prepared and delivered, together by all the members of the group, at the end of the lesson;

Each work will be graded between 0 and 1 points, the final grade of the laboratory component being the sum of the grades obtained in the four works (thus, a maximum of 4 points);

Laboratory works not performed are rated with a null grade;

Each group is given a single opportunity, at the end of the semester, to repeat or compensate for their lack of a practical work;

The elements of a group missing more than one class needed to carry out a work, have a null rating in that work.

NAO