Basics of Physics
Code: 106753 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Sciences | FB | 1 |
Contact
- Name:
- Juan Camacho Castro
- Email:
- juan.camacho@uab.cat
Teachers
- Albert Beardo Ricol
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
Due to the fact that it is a first-year subject, there are no specific indispensable requirements to take the subject.
It is highly recommended, however, that students who did not take physics during secondary education review the course materials that the faculty makes available to them before the course starts.
It is essential not to make mistakes with units. There are failures that can be avoided simply by avoiding these errors.
Objectives and Contextualisation
The Physics subject is one of the basic and compulsory training subjects. The main purpose of this subject, as well as all those that make up the basic training block, is to provide the basic analytical and methodological knowledge and tools to develop transversal skills in the area of environmental science studies. In particular, the subject must help students understand the fundamental laws of physics that govern the natural environment.
In addition, it contributes to the professional training of students as it encourages learning in a series of general skills (among which stand out the ability to reason critically and to improve independent work strategies), transversal (such as know how to discriminate between the key elements of a given problem and be able to size it correctly) and specific (distinguish the biophysical aspects of human activity) which will be of great use to future professionals in the evaluation and management of all types of problems related to the environment, the use of natural resources and energy generation.
Learning Outcomes
- CM13 (Competence) Determine the relevant physical parameters and magnitudes associated with basic environmental problems and practical cases in the field of physics.
- CM14 (Competence) Convey the basic physics associated with an environmental problem appropriately.
- KM20 (Knowledge) Identify the main principles of physics involved in environmental processes.
- KM21 (Knowledge) Identify the principles of particle, fluid and wave motion.
- KM22 (Knowledge) Recognise the principles of heat, electromagnetism, radiation and energy.
- KM23 (Knowledge) Recognise the concepts, the most relevant physical parameters and the tools in physics to define, analyse and manage environmental problems.
- SM19 (Skill) Use the laws and principles of physics to solve guided problems related to the environment.
- SM20 (Skill) Analyse and adequately represent data and observations in the field of physics.
- SM21 (Skill) Express yourself using scientific language appropriate to fundamental physics, as well as use the magnitudes and units associated with basic physics concepts appropriately.
Content
1. Introduction
1.1. Dimensional analysis
1.2. Scaling laws
2. Motion
2.1. Uniform and accelerated motion. Circular motion
2.2. Forces. Newton's laws. Friction
3. Energy
3.1. Work. Potential energy. Mechanical energy
3.2. Dissipative forces. Conservation of mechanical energy
3.3. Energy generation and consumption
4. Fluids
4.1. Pressure and density. Archimedes principle
4.2. Sedimentation: Water purification
4.3. Cohesive forces. Surface tension
4.4. Continuity equation. Bernouilli's equation
4.5. Viscosity. Laminar and turbulent flows. Poiseuille's law
5. Thermodynamics
5.1. Temperature. Ideal gases. Microscopic interpretation of pressure and temperature.
5.2. First law of thermodynamics. Heat. Phase changes.
5.3. Second law of thermodynamics: Irreversibility.
5.4. Work generation: Heat engines. Efficiency
6. Heat transport
Heat transfer: conduction, convection, radiation. Radiative balance
7. Oscillations and waves
7.1. Oscillations. Resonance
7.2. Wave propagation. Reflection and refraction
7.3. Sound waves. Noise pollution
7.4. Superposition and interference. Standing waves
8. Electromagnetism
8.1. The electromagnetic interaction. Coulomb's law. Electric potential.
8.2. Electric current. Dissipation in a conductor. Direct and alternating current.
8.3. Magnetic field. Electromagnetic induction. Electricity generation.
9. Nuclear physics and radioactivity
9.1. Atomic and nuclear structure
9.2. Nuclear binding energy and mass defect
9.3. Radioactivity. Law of radioactive decay
9.4. Nuclear reactions. Fusion and fission.
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Exercises classes | 12 | 0.48 | |
| Seminars | 1 | 0.04 | |
| Theory classes | 37 | 1.48 | |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Practice tutorial | 5 | 0.2 | |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Personal study | 76 | 3.04 |
The body of the subject is made up of theoretical and problem classes, and a seminar session, where the theoretical and practical contents of the course are explained. The rest of the training consists of the student's personal work.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partial exams | 85 | 4 | 0.16 | CM13, CM14, KM20, KM21, KM22, KM23, SM19, SM20, SM21 |
| Seminars | 15 | 15 | 0.6 | CM13, CM14, KM20, KM21, KM22, KM23, SM19, SM20, SM21 |
85% of the final grade is calculated based on the grades of two partial exams. These will consist of theoretical and practical questions with test questions, and practical problems.
The remaining 15% of the final mark corresponds to the grade for the deliveries related to the seminars.
Resit exam
To pass the subject you must obtain an overall grade for the course greater than or equal to 5. If this condition is not reached, there is a resit exam where the entire course syllabus is included. This exam consists of a part of test questions and the resolution of practical problems, and it counts for 85% of the overall grade. The deliveries mark cannot be recovered.
In accordance with university regulations, to be able to attend the recovery, students must have been previously evaluated in activities that are equivalent to at least 2/3 of all the evaluable activities of the course.
Unassessable: The grade of Unassessable will be obtained if the student does not take any exam.
SINGLE EVALUATION
Students who have accepted the single evaluation modality must take a final test that will consist of a written exam that will consist of the resolution of theoretical-practical questions and problems. This test will be taken on the same day as the second exam of the continuous evaluation. When you have finished, you will deliver the seminar deliverables.
The final grade is obtained in the same way as in the continuous assessment: the exam counts for 85% of the final grade and the deliveries count for 15%.
If the overall grade does not reach 5, there is a retake exam. The deliveries mark cannot be recovered. The retake is done together with the continuous assessment.
The review of the final grade follows the same procedure as for continuous assessment.
The same non-assessable criterion will be applied as for continuous assessment.
Bibliography
- D. Jou, J.E. Llebot y C. Pérez-García, Física para ciencias de la vida, McGraw-Hill, Madrid 2009. Online acces:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uab/detail.action?docID=3194961&pq-origsite=primo
- P.A. Tipler, Física, Reverté, Barcelona, 2010. Online acces:
Vol. 1: https://www-ingebook-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/ib/NPcd/IB_BooksVis?cod_primaria=1000187&codigo_libro=6536
Vol. 2: https://www-ingebook-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/ib/NPcd/IB_BooksVis?cod_primaria=1000187&codigo_libro=6537
Software
There is no specific software for this subject
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan | second semester | afternoon |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 2 | Catalan | second semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM) Seminars | 2 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM) Seminars | 3 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM) Seminars | 4 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan/Spanish | second semester | afternoon |