Courses

Physics

General

Course Contents

Units and Vectors (Standards and units. Dimensions. Vectors. The unit vector. The position vector. Components of a vector. Scalar and vector products.
Types of vectors. The derivative of a vector. Examples – Problems).
Motion of a Particle (Rectilinear motion. Average and instantaneous velocity, acceleration. Motion in a plane. Physical coordinates. General motion in space. Coordinate systems. Motion of a projectile. Circular motion. Examples – Problems).
Newtonian mechanics (axioms, laws of dynamics and vector form of the differential equations of motion. Conservation laws. Examples – Problems).
Frames of Reference (Relative velocity. Galilean transformation. Inertial and accelerated frames of reference. Inertial forces. Examples – Problems).
Energy and Conservation Laws (Impulse. Energy. Work. Conservative forces. Kinetic energy. Potential energy. Power. Linear momentum. Angular momentum and torque. Examples – Problems).
Dynamics: (equilibria and their stability. Study of conservative 1 degree-of-freedom system, using the method of Potential. Phase diagrams).
Applications to 1 degree.of.freedom (d.o.f) systems (harmonic oscillator, pendulum, systems with friction, forced oscillations. Examples – Problems).
Central forces (conservation of angular momentum, effective potential and study of the equivalent 1 d.o.f system. Examples – Problems).
Motion of Systems (Mechanical system of particles. Internal and external forces. Internal energy. Center of mass. Center of mass frame of reference.
Momentum, energy and angular momentum of a system. Collisions. Systems of variable mass. Examples – Problems).

Educational Goals

The aim of the course is for students to understand familiar concepts of Classical Mechanics using vector and differential calculus, synthetic thinking and their familiarity with solving complex problems and exercises. It deepens the axioms and fundamental principles of Newtonian Mechanics and presents the analytical techniques of for the description and solution of simple physical systems and fields of forces. The course requires familiarity with Basic concepts of Kinematics and Dynamics, differential and integral calculus. The principles of Mechanics are described in introductory terms and the integrals of motion are defined. Systems of one degree of freedom are studied, both qualitatively and in detail. The following is the mathematical analysis of motion in a field of central forces, and in particular the forces ~ r-2. Many body systems are also described and the problem of two bodies is analysed. Finally, the origin and consequences of non-inertial forces are examined.
Upon completion of the course students
1) will have deepened their knowledge in the fundamental laws of Mechanics and will have understood the strict mathematical framework in which these laws are expressed and the new knowledge that covers the specific object is produced.
2) will have understood how the whole theory of the respective field of knowledge emerges, based on basic principles and using the necessary mathematics.
3) will be familiar with new ways of modelling and processing complex mechanical systems and finding equations of motion.

General Skills

Literature review, Critical review of bibliography, Adaptation to new situations, Autonomous work, Teamwork – distribution and delegation of responsibilities, Promoting free, creative and inductive thinking, Adherence to good practice guidelines.

Teaching Methods

Lectures, Exercises, Online guidance, Projected presentations, E-mail communication, Online synchronous and asynchronous teaching platform (moodle)., Bibliography study & analysis, Tutoring, Interactive teaching, Homework.

Students Evaluation

Assessment Language: English / Greek
The final grade of the course is formed by 100% by the grade of the written final examination.
The written final examination of the theoretical part may include: Solving problems of application of the acquired knowledge, Short answer questions etc.

Recommended Bibliography

University Physics with Modern Physics by Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman, Tom Sandin, A. Lewis Ford. Publisher: Pearson Education
Classical Mechanics, Tom W. B. Kibble & Frank H. Berkshire. Publisher: Imperial College Press