BSC107C

Unit Description and General Aims

This unit is a core unit in all sub-disciplines.

This unit introduces the student to the principles of engineering physics and chemistry. It seeks to enhance his or her fundamental knowledge in the field of Physics and Chemistry and their applications relevant to various streams of engineering and technology. The subject contents include, but are not limited to, measurements, motion, momentum, heat, matter, elements, energy, forces, optics, chemical reactions, radioactivity, nuclear and modern physics, organic chemistry and biochemistry. The unit further enables the student to display analytical problem solving ability in providing solutions to engineering problems.

On completion, the student should be able to describe examples and applications of the principles studied and apply them in the engineering technology field.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this Unit, students are expected to be able to:

1. Detail concepts related to motion, force, energy, momentum and application of Newton's laws
   Bloom's Level 4
2. Describe the properties of solids, liquids and gases
   Bloom's Level 2
3. Examine wave, sound and heat properties
   Bloom's Level 4
4. Outline and detail modern physics concepts including optics and photons
   Bloom's Level 4
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of nuclear physics
   Bloom's Level 2
6. Develop an understanding of the fundamentals regarding matter, elements, atoms and ions 
   Bloom's Level 2
7. Describe how chemical reactions occur and how equilibrium state is reached
   Bloom's Level 2
8. Apply the principles of Electro, Organic and Biochemistry
   Bloom's Level 3

Student assessment

Prescribed and Recommended Readings

Suggested Textbook

• Rex, A, Wolfson, R 2009, Essential College Physics with Mastering Physics, Addison-Wesley, ISBN-13: 978-0321598561.
• Zumdahl, SS, deCoste, DJ 2104, Introductory Chemistry: a Foundation, 8th edn, Cengage Learning, ISBN-13: 978-1305256743.
  To be confirmed by the lecturer.

Journal, website

http://iopscience.iop.org/
http://www.journals.elsevier.com/reviews-in-physics/ Chemistry

Reference Materials

• Peer-reviewed Journals
• Knovel library: http://app.knovel.com
• IDC Technologies publications
• Other material and online collections as advised during lectures

Unit Content

Topic 1

Forces, the Laws of Motion and Momentum

1. Distance, time and mass measurements
2. Fundamental constants and dimensional analysis
3. Position, displacement, velocity, speed, acceleration, and SUVAT
4. Scalars, vectors, and forces
5. Velocity and acceleration in two dimensions
6. Force and mass
7. Newton’s first law
8. Centripetal force
9. Newton’s second law
10. Newton’s third law

Topic 2

Physics Applications

1. Motion on a flat surface
2. Friction
3. Motion on an inclined plane
4. Projectile motion and uniform circular motion
5. Drag
6. Pulley systems

Topic 3

Work and Energy

1. Work
2. Energy
3. Work done by constant force and variable forces
4. Potential and Kinetic energy
5. Work‐energy theorem
6. Conservation of energy
7. Power and Momentum
8. Momentum
9. Euler’s first law
10. Angular momentum
11. Euler’s second law

Topic 4

Solids and Fluids

1. States of matter
2. Solids and elasticity
3. Fluid pressure
4. Buoyancy and Archimedes’ principle
5. Fluid motion
6. Surface tension and viscosity

Topic 5

Waves, Sound, Thermal Expansion, Heat

1. Wave properties
2. Interference and standing waves
3. Sound waves
4. Doppler effect
5. Thermal expansion
6. Heat and thermal energy

Topic 6

Optics

1. Reflection, plane and spherical mirrors
2. Refraction and dispersion
3. Thin lenses
4. Microscopes and telescopes
5. Eye and vision
6. Interference, Diffraction
7. Polarization and scattering
8. Photons

Topic 7

Fundamental of Matter, Elements, Atoms and Ions

1. Matter basics
2. Physical and chemical properties
3. Elements and compounds
4. Mixtures and pure substances
5. Elements and symbols
6. Atomic structure
7. Isotopes, periodic table

Topic 8

Nuclear Physics

1. Nuclear structure and stability
2. Radioactivity
3. Activity and half‐life
4. Nuclear fission and fusion
5. Particles and antiparticles
6. Quantization
7. Blackbody radiation and Planck’s Constant
8. Wave‐particle duality

Topic 9

Chemical Reaction, Equilibrium

1. Evidence for a chemical reaction
2. Chemical equations
3. Reactions in which a solid forms
4. Reactions in aqueous solutions
5. Reactions of metals with non-metals
6. Chemical equilibrium

Topic 10

Solids, Liquids and Gases

1. The solid state
2. Water and its phase changes
3. Intermolecular forces, pressure
4. Evaporation
5. Vapour pressure
6. Gas laws

Topic 11

Acids, Bases, Solutions

1. Acids and bases
2. The pH scale
3. Buffered solutions
4. Solubility, mass percent
5. Molarity
6. Dilution
7. Stoichiometry of solution reactions

Topic 12

Chemical Bonding, Electro, Organic and Bio Chemistry

1. Types of chemical bonds
2. Electro‐negativity, bond polarity and dipole moments
3. Stable electron configurations
4. Ionic bonding
5. Electrochemistry basics
6. Carbon bonding
7. Alkenes and alkanes
8. Primary, Secondary and Tertiary structure of proteins
9. Exam revision

Software/Hardware Used

Software

• Software: N/A

• Version: N/A

• Instructions:  N/A

• Additional resources or files: N/A

Hardware

• N/A