Applied Physics

Fundamental knowledge of mathematics (at 12th grade level)

The course comprises:
– 1 lecture of 2 hours per week where are exposed the syllabus content and also applied the physics concepts to practical examples related to the field of Environmental Health professionals, showing to the student how to apply these concepts in problem solving;
– 1 theoretical-practice lesson of 1 hour a week, where students are invited to solve practical exercises and case studies with the support of their teacher. These exercises and case studies, related with the field of Environmental Health, can be used to clarify these phenomena from a scientific view. They are also important to develop effective analysis and problem solving skills.

The curricular unit of Applied Physics aims to provide Environmental Health students with a solid foundation in the fundamental concepts of Physics that are relevant in the practice of their future profession.

Knowledge to acquire:

Students should be familiar with the fundamental concepts and laws in the field of Mechanics, Acoustics, Thermodynamics , Electricity, Electromagnetic Radiation and Radioactivity.

 Skills to acquire:

-To apply the concepts and laws of Physics in problem solving;

– To use the concepts and laws of Physics to explain natural phenomena, in particular those directly related with environmental processes and the physical hazards at workplace;

– To apply the intellectual understanding and accuracy mechanisms underlying the scientific method, which transpire in the field of Physics;

Competencies to acquire:

– To use, in a critical way, calculation tools and data acquisition/processing equipment/software to quantify/measure physical quantities.

– To communicate, effectively, using the concepts and laws of Physics.

1 – Elements of classical physics
1.1 Units and dimensions
1.2 Principles of Mechanical of Fluids
2 – Energy
2.1 Conservative forces, Dissipative forces, power and energy efficiency
2.2 Production vs. Energy transfer
3 – Acoustics
3.1 Vibrations and Waves
3.2 Sound waves and noise
3.3 Acoustic systems and acoustic instrumentation
4 – Heat, thermal energy and thermodynamics
4.1 The laws of thermodynamics
4.2 Heat transfer processes
5 – Electricity
5.1 Continuous current vs AC
5.2 Bioelectricity
5.3 Electrical safety
6 – Electromagnetic Radiation
6.1 Electromagnetic Spectrum
6.2 Interaction of electromagnetic radiation with biological matter
7 – Radioactivity and nuclear energy
7.1 Stable and unstable isotopes
7.2 Radioactive decay
7.3 Production of energy in nuclear power plants
7.4 Radiological protection and safety

NAO

Main bibliography:
TIPLER e MOSCA, Física para Cientistas e Engenheiros (5ª ed.) – volumes 1, 2 e 3
Editor: LTC – Livros Técnicos e Científicos Editora Lda
Edition: 2006

GIANCOLI, Physics: Principles with Applications, Global Edition
Editor: Pearson Education
Edition: 2015

DURÁN, Biofísica – Fundamentos e Aplicações
Editor: Makron Books / Prentice Hall
Edition: 2003

Additional bibliography:

CLARE SMITH, Environmental Physics
Editor: Routledge Edt., NY
Edition: 2001

JOHN MONTEITH e Mike Unsworth, Principles of Environmental Physics
Editor: Academic Press

Edition: 2013