PHYS 143 — Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Physics · University of Ghana

Mechanics Properties of Vectors: Geometrical representation, multiplication (dot product and cross product), the three-dimensional Cartesian co-ordinate system, Components of a vector, Direction Cosines, Linear Independence, Magnitude of a vector, Geometrical methods of vector addition, The sine rule and the cosine rule, Vectors in two dimensions Linear Momentum: Conservation Law, Direct and indirect collisions, The co-efficient of restitution Motion: Newton's laws, equations of motion, Motion in one dimension, Parametric equations of motion, Motion in two dimensions, Projectile motion, Relative velocity Force: Addition of Forces, Equilibrium, Impulse, Tension and the motion of connected masses, Friction Circular motion: Uniform circular motion, Motion in a vertical circle, the conical pendulum Work and Energy: Work done by a constant force, Work done by a varying force, Work and kinetic energy, Work and potential energy, Conservation of energy, Conservative and nonconservative forces – definition and examples Rotational motion: Centre of mass, Moment of inertia, Angular momentum, Rotational kinetic energy, Torque Gravitation: Kepler's laws, The law of Universal gravitation, Gravitational potential energy, Escape velocity Thermal Physics Microscopic and Macroscopic Definitions: Thermodynamic systems, Simple systems, Closed systems, Open systems, Isolated systems, Thermodynamic properties, States Processes, Paths, Intensive and extensive quantities Thermal Equilibrium: Temperature, Adiabatic walls, Diathermal walls, Thermometers and thermometric properties, Comparisons of thermometers, Thermometric scales and conversions, Zeroth law of thermodynamics Work and Heat: Thermodynamic equilibrium – conditions, Chemical equilibrium, mechanical equilibrium, thermal equilibrium, Effects of conditions not satisfied, Change of state, Quasistatic processes, Work done, Work depends on path, Isothermal processes, Isobaric processes, Isochoric (isovolumetric) processes, Adiabatic processes, Concept of heat, Internal energy, Heat capacity, Specific heat, Heat flow (Conduction, Radiation, and Convection) First law of thermodynamics: Cyclic processes, Non-cyclic processes, Nature of stored energy, First law and its implications under (i) Isothermal processes (ii) Isobaric processes (iii) Isochoric processes Application: Introduction to entropy Gas Laws: Properties of an ideal gas, Charles Law, Boyle's Law, Gay Lussac Law, Kelvin temperature scale (absolute temperature) Kinetic theory of Gases: Assumptions, Force exerted on the walls of the container, Pressure, Equation of state, Molecular velocities: (i) Mean velocity (ii) mean square velocity (iii) root mean square velocity, Equipartition of Energy

Credits

3

Level

Level 100

Semester

Semester One

Course details from University of Ghana Volume 3 Handbook for the Bachelor's Degree: Course Descriptions for Programmes in the Sciences (2017).