FYS100 Physics and Environment

Topic-based. Students work on physics topics (examples in parentheses) related to the topics: Biophysics (light, electrical fields, radioactivity), Climate (mechanics, gas laws, electromagnetic radiation), Bioenergy (the study of heat, induction, a. c.), Solar energy (atomic- and nuclear physics, electric circuits).

Contents:

• movement (kinematics) and its cause (dynamics), with special emphasis on the idea of energy and the conservation laws of mechanics
• the physical properties of fluids
• the thermal properties of solids and gases and the main theorems in the study of heat
• wave movement, light and optics
• electricity, magnetism and electromagnetic radiation
• simple atomic theory and radiation physics.

To understand and be able to use basic ideas and laws of nature.

To acquire the scientific language and terms of the sciences.

To understand how simple principles can be used for describing complicated phenomena in nature.

To understand how physics can be applied and used for understanding biological systems, renewable energy production and climate changes.

To experience how closely interwoven the various science disciplines really are.

To become motivated to continue their studies working with a common toolbox from all disciplines of sciences.

Students are to be given an operative understanding of the most important physical ideas, the basic physical way of thinking and the ability to analyse and solve quantitative problems on:

• movement (kinematics) and its cause (dynamics), with special emphasis on the idea of energy and the conservation laws of mechanics
• the physical properties of fluids
• the thermal properties of solids and gases and the main theorems in the study of heat
• wave movement, light and optics
• electricity, magnetism and electromagnetic radiation
• simple atomic theory and radiation physics

The students should also be familiar with and understand central problems concerning biological physics, climate and climate change and renewable energy (solar energy and bioenergy).

Students are to be able to:

• analyse a described problem by applying basic laws and principles of physics
• solve calculation exercises by applying basic laws and principles of physics
• explain how phenomena in biology and in environmental physics can be explained qualitatively on the basis of the fundamental laws and principles of physics
• cooperate on learning and problem-solving
• see the connection between physics and other natural sciences.

The students shall understand why an elementary knowledge of physics is necessary in order to understand and describe nature and be able to understand and analyse environmental problems.

The students are also to understand that physics and the natural sciences are man-made tools that we use to explore nature and that nature itself always is the key to an answer.