Course syllabus adopted 2025-02-13 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).
Overview
- Swedish nameMekanik
- CodeSEE082
- Credits7.5 Credits
- OwnerTKGBS
- Education cycleFirst-cycle
- Main field of studyGlobal systems, Engineering Physics
- DepartmentSPACE, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT
- GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail
Course round 1
- Teaching language Swedish
- Application code 74131
- Open for exchange studentsNo
- Only students with the course round in the programme overview.
Credit distribution
Module | Sp1 | Sp2 | Sp3 | Sp4 | Summer | Not Sp | Examination dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0125 Examination 7.5 c Grading: TH | 7.5 c |
|
In programmes
Examiner
- Magnus Thomasson
- Senior Teaching Fellow, Astronomy and Plasma Physics, Space, Earth and Environment
Eligibility
General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.
Specific entry requirements
The same as for the programme that owns the course.Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.
Aim
Mechanics is a fundamental part of Physics. In this course we will introduce key concepts of classical (Newtonian) mechanics along with examples of applications. The goal is that students learn to develop a physical intuition and simple mathematical models of physical and technical systems.Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)
- decompose forces/vectors in different systems of coordinates and perform mathematical operations on vectors;
- reduce a system of forces to a simpler one;
- write the equations for a system in equilibrium and solve the system of equations;
- calculate the center of mass of a simple system;
- use friction in calculations;
- mathematically describe and calculate linear and curvilinear motion;
- know and be able to apply Newton's laws and derived laws (about work, energy, momentum, impulse etc.);
- make calculations of free undamped oscillations;
- explain and use fictitious forces, esp. centrifugal force and coriolis force;
- describe and make basic calculations of satellite orbits;
- make basic calculations of solid body motion;
- explain the concepts precession and nutation, and make related calculations in simple cases;
- explain tides and related phenomena.
Content
1. Geometry of forces
1. Forces as vectors, basic operations on forces
2. Forces in two dimensions, torque
3. Forces in three dimensions, torque
2. Equilibrium
1. Equilibrium condition
2. Two-dimensional equilibrium
3. Three-dimensional equilibrium
3. Center of mass - center of gravity
4. Applications
1. Friction
5. Kinematics of a point-mass
1. Linear motion
2. Curvilinear motion
6. Kinetics of a point-mass
1. Fundamental laws and concepts (Newton's laws, etc.)
2. Applications (linear and curvilinear motion)
3. Derived laws (work, power, energy, momentum, impulse, etc.)
4. Oscillatory motion (free undamped oscillations)
3. Center of mass - center of gravity
4. Applications
1. Friction
5. Kinematics of a point-mass
1. Linear motion
2. Curvilinear motion
6. Kinetics of a point-mass
1. Fundamental laws and concepts (Newton's laws, etc.)
2. Applications (linear and curvilinear motion)
3. Derived laws (work, power, energy, momentum, impulse, etc.)
4. Oscillatory motion (free undamped oscillations)
5. Relative motion, fictitious forces (centrifugal force, coriolis force)
Celestial mechanics: satellite orbits, etc. (Kepler's laws, velocity equation, Kepler's equation, examples of satellite orbits)
Motion of solid bodies: kinematics and kinetics
Celestial mechanics: satellite orbits, etc. (Kepler's laws, velocity equation, Kepler's equation, examples of satellite orbits)
Motion of solid bodies: kinematics and kinetics
Rotation around a fixed axis (torques and angular momentum, moment of inertia, etc.)
Precession and nutation
Tides and related phenomena
Organisation
Lectures and exercises. Optional hand-in exercises, which can give bonus points on the written exam.Literature
Mekanik - Statik och dynamik av Per-Åke Jansson, Ragnar Grahn och Mikael Enelund. Fjärde upplagan (2018), Studentlitteratur. Complementary material about for instance satellite orbits.Examination including compulsory elements
Written exam. Optional hand-in exercises, which can give bonus points on the written exam.The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers about disability study support.