Interactions and bodies

Mathematics courses on linear algebra and vectors calculus. Basic differentiation and integration.

The student who completes the course knows how to model a physical system by recognizing interactions, writing the equations of motion, and solving it. The student can analyze the behavior of a system also with the energy principle. The student knows how to implement vector algebra, including the dot product, both in Cartesian and spherical coordinates. They know how to take derivative and integrate vector functions in component form. They know how to solve simple differential equations from the equations of state with the trial approach.

The course book is Chabay and Sherwood: Matter & Interactions, chapters 1-8.

Alternative literature:

• Knight: Physics for scientists and engineers, a strategic approach
• Giancoli: Physics for scientists & engineers
• Young & Freedman: University physics

Completion methods

The course is completed either by doing exercises and an exam, or by a separate final exam.

Assessment practices and criteria

Grading scale is 0 (failed) - 1 (passed) - 5 (excellent)

Activities and methods in support of learning

Weekly lectures, independent work by the student, weekly exercise sessions, which are partly done in calculation workshops in small groups, and partly independently.

The exercise sessions are returned to the assistants, who score them.

Target groups

Programme: Bachelor's Programme in Science.

Course is optional within the Programme, but compulsory within the Physics Study Track.

The course is available to the students of other Programmes and exchange students. The course is also available to the students at Open University upon agreement with the teacher.

Teaching period when the course will be offered

Course is offered every year in the spring (period III)

Recommended time or stage of studies for completion

Obligatory within the Physics Study Track, first year of studies.

In other Study Tracks, according to schedule of track/programme.

Study module

Basics studies in Physics

Language of instruction

English