Description
This unit introduces students to the fundamental laws and applications of the physical sciences within engineering and how to apply this knowledge to find solutions to a variety of engineering problems.
Among the topics included in this unit are: international system of units, interpreting data, static and dynamic forces, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, material properties and failure, and A.C./D.C. circuit theories.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to interpret and present qualitative and quantitative data using computer software, calculate unknown parameters within mechanical systems, explain a variety of material properties and use electromagnetic theory in an applied context.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
1. Examine scientific data using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
International system of units:
The basic dimensions in the physical world and the corresponding SI base units
SI derived units with special names and symbols
SI prefixes and their representation with engineering notation
Interpreting data:
Investigation using the scientific method to gather appropriate data
Test procedures for physical (destructive and non-destructive) tests and statistical tests that might be used in gathering information
Summarising quantitative and qualitative data with appropriate graphical representations
Using presentation software to present data to an audience
2. Determine parameters within mechanical engineering systems.
Static and dynamic forces:
Representing loaded components with space and free body diagrams
Calculating support reactions of beams subjected to concentrated and distributed loads
Newton’s laws of motion, D’Alembert’s principle and the principle of conservation of energy
Fluid mechanics and thermodynamics:
Archimedes’ principle and hydrostatics
Continuity of volume and mass flow for an incompressible fluid
Effects of sensible/latent heat of fluid
Heat transfer due to temperature change and the thermodynamic process
equations
3. Explore the characteristics and properties of engineering materials.
Material properties:
Atomic structure of materials and the structure of metals, polymers and composites
Mechanical and electromagnetic properties of materials
Material failure:
Destructive and non-destructive testing of materials
The effects of gradual and impact loading on a material.
Degradation of materials and hysteresis
4. Analyse applications of A.C./D.C. circuit theorems, electromagnetic principles and
properties.
D.C. circuit theory:
Voltage, current and resistance in D.C. networks
Exploring circuit theorems (Thevenin, Norton, Superposition), Ohm’s law and Kirchhoff’s voltage and current laws
A.C. circuit theory:
Waveform characteristics in a single-phase A.C. circuit
RLC circuits
Magnetism:
Characteristics of magnetic fields and electromagnetic force
The principles and applications of electromagnetic induction