Physics

Fundamental knowledge in Mathematics (12th grade).

The curricular unit comprises:

– 1 theoretical class of 1 hour per week, where the teacher of the theoretical matrix briefly exposes the programmatic contents of the discipline;

– 1 theoretical-practical class of 1 hour per week, where the teacher applies the physical concepts presented in the theoretical class to the understanding of practical examples belonging to the universe of the Environmental Health professional, and introduces the student to the application of these concepts in problem solving;

– 1 theoretical-practical class of 1 hour per week, where students proceed to the resolution accompanied by practical application exercises formulated within the universe of the Environmental Health professional in order to clarify and relate the subjects addressed in the theoretical component, as well as to confer effective competencies in the analysis and resolution of real problems.

The discipline of Physics aims to provide the Audiology students with a solid basis in the fundamental concepts of Physics necessary to achieve the general objectives inscribed in the training plan of the Audiology course of Coimbra Health School, with a special emphasis on general concepts necessary for the understanding of sound as a physical phenomenon, of acoustics applied to physiological systems , and the instrumentation found in Audiology, transmitting at the same time the fundamentals of mathematics and intellectual mechanisms of understanding and rigor underlying the scientific method.

1. Preliminary Review of concepts (3 hours)

Units and dimensions – physical quantities; systems of units; the S. I.

Mechanical material point – kinematic quantities and movement; dynamics: interactions, forces and Newton’s laws, kinetic, potential and mechanical energy, energy theorems

2. Deformation and Elasticity (3h)

Stress, strain and elasticity

3. Free oscillations (6 hours)

Simple harmonic oscillator – simple harmonic motion (SHM); SHM and circular motion; SHM energy; Non-linearity and inharmonicity

Damped oscillator – mechanical resistance and quality factor; movement in the regime of small damping; dissipation of mechanical energy; regime for large damping

4. Forced oscillations (6 hours)

Forced oscillations – forced oscillation in steady state; resonance; transient

Mechanical impedance – definition; correlation with the transfer function of a mechanical system and its frequency response

5. General concepts of wave (3 hours)

Wave motion – concept of wave and its qualitative characterization; wavefronts; harmonic waves: amplitude, frequency, wavelength; not harmonic waves and impulses

Waves on a vibrating string – velocity of propagation; energy transport; reflection boundaries, principle of superposition, standing waves

6. Sound waves (9 hours)

Sound waves – definition and physical quantities underlying its description; transport of energy and loudness; sound propagation: speed of sound, the law of inverse square of the distance, absorption

Pure tones and complex sounds – distinction between pure tones and complex sounds; overlapping MHS beats and sound; principles of harmonic analysis and synthesis

Wave phenomena – Huygens’ principle; Diffraction and interference; spatial location in auditory perception; Doppler effect

7. Acoustic Impedance (9 hours)

Acoustic impedance – definition; correlation with the transfer function of an acoustic system and its frequency response; applications to Audiology

Acoustic systems – relationship between mechanical and acoustic systems; Helmholtz resonator; complex systems; sound sources and receivers.

(P.S:.: the time not considered in the planification above will be used to revisit all the contents and for evaluation purposes.)

NAO

Main Bibliography:

1. TIPLER e MOSCA, Física para Cientistas e Engenheiros (5ª ed.) – volumes 1, 2 e 3

Editora: LTC – Livros Técnicos e Científicos Editora Lda

Ano de Edição: 2006

2. DURÁN, Biofísica – Fundamentos e Aplicações

Editora: Makron Books / Prentice Hall

Ano de Edição: 2003

Complementary bibliography

1. FRENCH, Vibrações e Ondas

Editora: UnB

Ano de Edição: 2002

2. SPEAKS, Introduction to Sound (3ª edição)

Editora: Singular Publishing Group

Ano de Edição: 1999

3. HAUGHTON, Acoustics for Audiologists

Editora: Academic Press

Ano de Edição: 2002