Course overview
Static equilibrium and dynamics, rotating reference frames, Kepler's Laws for planetary systems, satellites and comets; orbits for interplanetary space travel, scattering in central force fields, trajectories of near-Earth meteorites. Thermodynamics of interacting systems, including the first and second laws of thermodynamics, concepts of equilibrium and entropy, and applications
Course learning outcomes
- Recognise that Newtonian mechanics provides models of the mechanical behaviour of objects
- State the conservation principles involving momentum, angular momentum and energy and understand that they follow from the fundamental equations of motion
- Analyse the dynamics of a range of systems, and understand the concept of impending motion
- Demonstrate an understanding of Newtonian gravitational fields and central forces and their effects
- Analyse the dynamics of particles in rotating non-inertial reference frames using appropriate fictitious forces
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of basic concepts of thermodymanics
- Explain the concept of entropy and discuss its relevance to the second law of thermodynamics
- Perform calculations of entropy changes during thermodynamic processes
- Pescribe the operation of ideal and real heat engines and refrigerators and discuss their efficiency
- Choose principles and mathematical methods suitable for the treatment of a given problem
- Use the tools, methodologies, language and conventions of physics to test and communicate ideas and explanations
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