Mechanics and thermodynamics

Subject description

MECHANICS

First, we give the physical foundations of kinematics, then in the context of dynamics we discuss Newton's laws, then the theorem on kinetic and gravitational potential energy, and finally the theorem on angular momentum and its conservation. As a special example, we then first derive the harmonic undamped oscillation equations for different types of mechanical pendulums. In the following we continue with a more demanding theoretical treatment of damped, forced and coupled harmonic oscillation. We also briefly describe different ways of deformation of solid and liquid substances and the corresponding expressions for deformation energies. Then we move on to a physical description of the basic properties of liquids and a simplified description of the movement of liquids using the Bernoulli equation. As an example of using Bernoulli's equation, we calculate the drag forces acting on bodies in a fluid at high speeds. We continue with the derivation of Poiseuille – Hagen equation for viscous fluid flow through thin pipes. In the context of the treatment of surface tension, we derive Laplace's and Young's equations and consider capillary rise and adhesion of liquid droplets to solid surfaces. At the end, we also give the theoretical foundations of the physical description of mechanical wave.

THERMODYNAMICS

We begin with an explanation of the 1st law of thermodynamics and a presentation of the kinetic theory of gases, where we define also various thermodynamic functions, equations of state of matter such as the ideal gas equation and describe possible phase transitions between different phases of matter. We also present the equations describing heat transfer through thermal conductors. We continue with the law of entropy and the calculation of the efficiencies of heat and cooling machines. At the end, we process the physical description of the thermal expansion of solids and liquids.

All theoretical considerations in mechanics and thermodynamics are illustrated with relevant experiments, which are shown in the lectures.

The subject is taught in programs

Objectives and competences

To acquire a general education in technical and natural sciences.

To gain better understanding of theoretical and experimental methods in natural and technical sciences.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, tutorials, demonstrative experiments during lectures and lectures of visiting professors from abroad.

Expected study results

Successful completion of the course will provide the students with:

education in fundamental mechanics and thermodynamics, preparing them for a future as problem solvers or researchers in industry and in research institutes
a good basic education in mechanics and thermodynamics suitable for a career in high-technology industry.

After completion of the course the students should be able to/of:

use the basic theoretical tools of mechanics and thermodynamics that are needed for the more specialised courses in electrical engineering,
application of the basic laws of mechanics and thermodynamics to solve general problems in electrical engineering,
solve practical problems in engineering , which prepare the students for independent research and development work in reserach institutes and in the industry,
solve complex interdisciplinary engineering problems, requiring a knowledge and understanding of thermodynamics and mechanics, as well as experience with analytical tools from the field of physics.

Basic sources and literature

Raymond A. Serway: Physics (international edition), Sounders Golden Sunburst Series (vsakokratna nova izdaja). PDF knjige lahko študenti dobijo pri učiteljih ali asistentih fizike na FE UL.
A. Iglič: Predloge k predavanjem iz Mehanike in termodinamike, vsakokratna nova izdaja, spletna izdaja v  Spletni učilnici FE: https://e.fe.uni-lj.si/login/index.php ter na domači strani Laboratorija za fiziko (LF) FE : http://physics.fe.uni-lj.si/students/predavanja/zapiski_iglic_fiz1.html
Aleš Iglič, Veronika Kralj-Iglič: Mehanika in termodinamika, Založba FE in FRI, vsakokratna nova izdaja. Spletna izdaja  na domači strani LF FE: http://physics.fe.uni-lj.si/students/predavanja/zapiski_iglic_fiz1.html ter v  Spletni učilnici FE: https://e.fe.uni-lj.si/login/index.php
T. Gyergyek, V. Kralj-Iglič, A. Iglič, M. Fošnarič: Vaje iz Fizike 1, Univerza v Ljubljani, Fakulteta za elektrotehniko, vsakokratna nova izdaja je tudi na domači strani LF FE in v Spletni učilnici FE: http://physics.fe.uni-lj.si/students/predavanja/zapiski_iglic_fiz1.html
J. Strnad: Fizika 1. del: Mehanika, toplota, DMFA, najnovejša izdaja.
Feynman, Leighton, Sands: The Feynman Lectures on Physics, link na dostopen PDF knjige na voljo na  domači strani LF FE ter v  Spletni učilnici FE.
A. Iglič: Demonstracijski praktikum pri Mehaniki in termodinamiki/toploti. 1. izd. Ljubljana: Založba FE, 2020.
M. Jeran, T. Gyergyek, A. Iglič: Demonstracijski poskusi iz Mehanike in termodinamike/toplote za študente naravoslovno-tehničnih usmeritev, Ljubljana, spletni vir (113 videodatotek), 2022 [COBISS.SI-ID 92412675], na domači strani LF FE ter v  Spletni učilnici FE.
A. Iglič: posnetki »online« predavanj iz Mehanike in termodinamike študentom FE (55 videotek v skupnem trajanju okoli 80 ur), v  Spletni učilnici FE: https://e.fe.uni-lj.si/login/index.php
Rudolf Kladnik, Visokošolska fizika, 1. del, Mehanski in toplotni pojavi, DZS, 1991.