Mechanical Science

Learning Outcomes

Statics • scalar and vector quantities • addition, subtraction and resolution of coplanar vectors • moments, torques and couples • conditions for equilibrium of coplanar forces acting at a point and in simple structures • tensile and compressive stresses and strains, Hooke’s law, Young’s modulus, plastic deformation, elastic strain energy, yield stress, ultimate tensile stress, work done in stretching • centres of mass and centroids Linear Dynamics • Displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration; graphical representation of motion at i) constant speed ii) constant acceleration; use of equations of motion for constant acceleration • independence of motion in two perpendicular directions • force, mass and momentum • Newton’s laws of motion • systems with friction, limiting friction • efficiency of processes and sources of energy loss • conservation of momentum in two body collisions Work, Energy and Power • work = force × distance • power as rate of doing work • kinetic energy and change in gravitational potential energy • the principle of conservation of energy Rotational Dynamics • circular motion at constant speed, centripetal acceleration • angular displacement, speed, acceleration, frequency and period; rotational energy and momentum • circular motion with constant acceleration • moment of inertia Electro-magnetism • Electric charge, Coulomb’s Law, Electric Field E, Lines of Force – field due to spherically symmetric and planar charge distributions. Electric Fields • Electric Potential and Potential difference, Relation between E and V Charged conductors, screening of electric fields. • Capacitors from first principles- capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor, qualitative description of material dielectrics Magnetic Fields • Definition of the B field in terms of the force on a moving charge. Magnetic flux • Motion of charged particles in a magnetic field, force on a current carrying conductor – electric motor, loudspeakers. • The magnetic field created by moving charges – Biot-Savart Law.

Learning activities include • Individual work on examples, supported by tutorial/workshop sessions. • Elements of the coursework module GENG0015, may support your learning in this module. Teaching methods include • Lectures, supported by example sheets. • Tutorials/Workshops. • Printed notes available through Blackboard and/or through your module lecturer.