Study information

Vector Mechanics - 2023 entry

MODULE TITLEVector Mechanics CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEPHY1021 MODULE CONVENERDr Fabrice Gielen (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 149
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content
This module uses lectures and guided self-study to develop students' understanding of Newtonian classical mechanics and special relativity. Although some of the concepts will be familiar from A-level, vector notation will be used throughout. Particular emphasis is placed on the precise and consistant application of the laws and methods.
 
AIMS - intentions of the module
Our interest in mechanics arises from its general applicability to a vast number of familiar phenomena. This module provides meaningful and easily visualizable problems which allow development of the skills of problem solving, required in all the fields of physics. It provides the necessary background to later modules that will apply the principles of mechanics to the solution of more complex problems.
 
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
A student who has passed this module should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1. recognise and describe the forces that are relevant in a given mechanics situation;
2. describe the origin of and relationship between these forces, and to describe what their consequences will be;
3. solve a range of mechanics problems as defined by the syllabus below, and by examples given in the lectures and worksheets;
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
4. apply general problem-solving strategies not only to mechanics but also to the solution of other physics problems;
5. demonstrate a knowledge of mechanics that will be applicable in a range of other physics modules;
6. use vector notation consistently and correctly as an integral part of solving problems;
7. use symbols that represent the numerical value and units of the physical quantities, and manipulate/evaluate expressions involving such symbols in a precise and consistent manner;
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
8. undertake guided self-study successfully;
9. develop appropriate time-management strategies and meet deadlines for completion of work.
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
I. Vectors and Scalars
  1. Introduction
  2. Definition of vectors and scalars
  3. Scalar and vector algebra
  4. Transformations and the transformation matrix
  5. Study Package 1: displacement and distance, equations of lines and planes, triple products
II. Newtonian Physics
  1. Newton's laws and the principle of relativity, Galilean transformations
  2. Study Package 2: average and instantaneous velocity, motion under constant acceleration, relative velocity
  3. Translational and rotational dynamics, moments, moment of inertia
  4. Work done by forces, kinetic and potential energy, power
  5. Conservative and non-conservative forces
  6. Study Package 3: physics of friction, tensile forces in free body diagrams, concept of impulse
  7. Conservation theorems, energy diagrams, friction
  8. Two-particle systems, centre of mass, rocket motion, collisions, kinetic energy, zero-momentum frame
  9. Rigid bodies, moment of inertia, axis theorems
  10. Study Package 4: rotation with constant angular acceleration, moment and product of inertia, rotation about a moving axis
III. Einsteinian Physics
  1. A brief history, the special theory of relativity, Lorentz transformations
  2. Study Package 5: Michelson-Morley experiment, Doppler effect, Newton's laws
  3. The invariance of the space-time interval, the light cone, relativistic kinematics
  4. Relativistic dynamics, collisions
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 34 Guided Independent Study 116 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 22 hours 22×1-hour lectures
Guided independent study 30 hours 5×6-hour self-study packages
Guided independent study 14 hours 7×2-hour problems sets
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 9 hours Problems class support
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 3 hours Tutorial support
Guided independent study 72 hours Reading, private study and revision

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Exercises set by tutor (0%) 3×1-hour sets (typical) (scheduled by tutor) 1-7
Discussion in tutorials
 
Guided self-study (0%) 5×6-hour packages (fortnightly) 1-7
Discussion in tutorials
 
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 10 Written Exams 90 Practical Exams
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
7 × Problems Sets 10% 2 hours per set (weekly) 1-7 Marked in problems class, then discussed in tutorials
Mid-term Test 1 15% 30 minutes (Weeks 1-4) 1-7 Marked, then discussed in tutorials
Mid-term Test 2 15% 30 minutes (Weeks 1-9) 1-7 Marked, then discussed in tutorials
Final Examination 60% 120 minutes (January) 1-7 Mark via exehub, collective feedback via ELE and solutions.
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Whole module Written examination (100%) 1-7 August/September assessment period
       
       

Re-assessment is not available except when required by referral or deferral.

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES
An original assessment that is based on both examination and coursework, tests, etc., is considered as a single element for the purpose of referral; i.e., the referred mark is based on the referred examination only, discounting all previous marks. In the event that the mark for a referred assessment is lower than that of the original assessment, the original higher mark will be retained.
 
Physics Modules with PHY Codes
Referred examinations will only be available in PHY3064, PHYM004 and those other modules for which the original assessment includes an examination component - this information is given in individual module descriptors.
RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener
ELE:
 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Young, H. D. and R. A. Freedman University Physics with Modern Physics 14th Pearson 2015 978-1-292-10031-9
Extended Feynman, R. P., R. B. Leighton and M. Sands Lectures on Physics, Vol. II Addison-Wesley 1963 0-201-02117-X
Extended Feynman, R. P., R. B. Leighton and M. Sands Lectures on Physics, Vol. III Addison-Wesley 1965
Extended Spiegel, M.R. and S. Lipschutz Schaum's Outline of Vector Analysis 2nd edition McGraw-Hill 2009 978-0-07-1615-45-
Extended Thornton, S.T. and J. B. Marion Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems 5th edition Tomson 2003 0-534-40896-6
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 4 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 15th December 2011 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 26th January 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Physics; Body; Conservation rules; Energy; Force; Classical mechanics; Momentum; Motion; Newton's Laws; Particle; Special Relativity; Vectors.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.