Physique générale : mécanique (classe inversée en anglais)

Summary

The principles of classical mechanics successfully describe many phenomena encountered in the world. In this course students will develop a conceptual understanding of the core concepts and an ability to apply the theoretical framework to describe and predict the motions of solid bodies.

Content

Keywords

classical mechanics, conservation laws, gravitational motion, work, energy, collisions.

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

Math level required for "maturité fédérale", which indicates the level of math appropriate for a good start at EPFL.

Important concepts to start the course

Vector algebra: Scalar and vector products, vector projections, trigonometry.

Solving linear equations with 2 or 3 unknowns.

Calculus: Integration/differentiation of functions and vectors.

Conversion of physical units.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Develop a model of a mechanical system
• Derive equations of motion from fundamental principles
• Identify expected qualitative behaviours
• Recognize course concepts to observations from the real world
• Assess / Evaluate approximations used
• Estimate orders of magnitude

Transversal skills

• Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.

Teaching methods

This is a flipped/inverted course requiring a high degree of independent work. The lecture videos must be watched and studied before the sessions in the lecture hall with the instructor.

In-class exercises with teaching assistants complement this instruction.

The lecture videos will be translated from PHYS-101(l) (inverted course in French).

Expected student activities

Outside of lectures and exercises (these guidelines may vary depending on your study preparation and work organization):

Before the lecture, watch the week's chapters, taking notes in the way that works best for you, as you would for a traditional lecture.

During the lecture hall sessions, participate actively (quizzes and exercises) and note down the points to review from the lecture.

Prepare for the exercises in advance of the sessions with the teaching assistants.

Assessment methods

The course concludes with a written exam

Supervision

Resources

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/PHYS-101_n