Physics - Fundamentals of Technology and Environmental and Life Sciences [EITGB112]

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to provide tools to try to understand the world and the technologies that surround us, to be able to explain the phenomena of everyday life... Based on observations, experiments and reflection, physics seeks a simple explanation, but as complete as possible, to lead to the formulation of laws or principles. The acquisition of this approach, called scientific reasoning, is a school of logic, a rigorous approach...The course therefore emphasizes the understanding of concepts/notions and reflection. At the end of this course, the student will be able to : • Express themselves in writing in correct scientific terms; • Use the formulae, laws and principles of optics appropriately to analyse and interpret a situation in everyday and/or professional life; • Handle orders of magnitude and units appropriately; • Explain and interpret natural/ everyday phenomena with physical science concepts; • Develop scientific critical thinking and scientific reasoning in response to a problem

Objectives

This course is designed to give the student a mastery of the basic concepts of physics, in particular the major laws of mechanics and electromagnetism. This foundation will be essential for the courses and projects of the following years in which more advanced physical concepts will be addressed. It is important to train the student to observe physical phenomena and the thinking, reasoning and rigour associated with them. At the end of this course, the student will be able to : • To be part of an ongoing process of training and reflection. • To develop a responsible, critical and reflective approach to professional practice; • Structure their thoughts, express themselves clearly in writing and orally using a precise and appropriate vocabulary and be able to argue their points; • Use appropriate techniques and tools to study and understand observable phenomena • Combine scientific reasoning and critical thinking with a systems approach

Content

This course is an introductory presentation of the main chapters of classical mechanics (12 hours) and the foundations of electromagnetism (12 hours). During the oral presentation, as far as possible, new concepts are introduced from live or video experiments or from simple demonstrations. The presentation of the fundamental laws follows, with the emphasis on the physicist's usual approach: description, analysis and generalisation of the phenomenon. The practical and aesthetic significance of the laws is illustrated by the study of numerous applications. Theoretical courses are combined with tutorials (12 hours) which will allow the student to apply the notions/concepts seen, and even to deepen them.