vcc.ca
PHYS 1170: Mechanics 1
Effective date
September 2020
Department
UT Engineering
School
Arts and Sciences
Description
This course is designed for engineering students. It covers Newton's laws, kinematics, statics, and dynamics for particles and systems of particles, static and rotational equilibrium, analysis of structures, planar motion of rigid bodies, as well as Thermodynamics. The emphasis of this course will be on solving problems.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
Physics 1 (PHYS 1100) and Calculus 1 (MATH 1100), both with a minimum 'C-' grade.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Express force and position in Cartesian vector form.
- Solve particle and rigid-body equilibrium problems using the equations of equilibrium.
- Calculate the moment of a force in two and three dimensions and the moment of a force about a specified axis.
- Determine the resultants of nonconcurrent force systems.
- Reduce a simple distributed loading to a resultant force having a specified location.
- Analyze the equilibrium of rigid bodies subject to dry friction, with specific application to wedges, screws, and belts.
- Represent particle motion in 1D graphically.
- Investigate particle motion along a curved path using different coordinate systems.
- Analyze the dependent motion of two particles and the accelerated motion of a particle using the equation of motion with different coordinate systems.
- Apply central-force motion to problems in space mechanics.
- Solve problems involving the zeroth law, heat capacity, kinetic theory, the first law of thermodynamics, and heat engines.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 60
Total Hours: 60
Total Hours: 60
Instructional Strategies
Lectures and problem-solving activities
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
D
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Assignments |
10 |
|
|
Quizzes/Tests |
10 |
|
|
Midterm Exam |
50 |
2-3 midterm exams |
|
Final Exam |
30 |
|
Course topics
- Force Vectors (vector algebra, components)
- Equilibrium of a particle
- Force system resultants
- Moments (torque, cross-product, force-couples)
- Rigid Body Equilibrium (force+moment-balance, 6 equations)
- Structural analysis
- Internal forces
- Friction (sliding, static)
- Kinematics (v, a, t-, x-dependent, cylindrical coordinates)
- Kinetics (F=ma problems in various coordinates)
- Thermodynamics (Zeroth law and heat capacity; kinetic theory; first law of thermodynamics; heat engines)
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.