The Physics course provides the necessary knowledge for students to be able to apply the fundamental laws of the main branches of physics. It also offers the theoretical foundations and the tools required to solve problems in the following areas: fundamental mechanics and rigid body dynamics, with special attention to pulley systems and energy balances; scalar and vector field theory and electromagnetism, emphasizing their possible applications in the field of health engineering; fluid statics and dynamics; and thermodynamics. This course constitutes a solid and transversal foundation for the study of subsequent subjects.
Titular Professors
Elementary Calculus, Elementary Algebra.
The objectives of the course are outlined below:
1. Acquire general knowledge of physics in the mechanical, thermodynamic, and electromagnetic domains.
2. Be able to successfully tackle the resolution of specific course problems, with an emphasis on the problem-solving methodology.
3. Promote abstract logical reasoning, applicable to fields beyond the specific subject matter of the course.
4. Know and understand the basic principles of physics and mechanics that are applicable to the health sciences.
Unit 1. Vector analysis
1. Scalars and vectors
2. Vectors and elementary vector algebra
3. Vector space. Base and components
4. Scalar product
5. Vector product
6. Derivative of a vector with respect to a parameter
Unit 2. Mechanics
1. Newton's laws
2. Examples of forces
3. Work and energy
4. Conservation of energy
5. Rigid solid
6. Torque
7. Hooke's law. Elastic potential energy
8. Simple harmonic motion. Equation of motion
9. Energy of the harmonic oscillator
10. Oscillations around an equilibrium point
Unit 3. Field theory
1. Scalar fields and vector fields
2. Equiscalar surfaces and field lines
3. Differential operators
4. Flow of a vector field through a surface
5. Circulation of a vector field along a curve
6. Gauss' theorem and Stokes' theorem
Unit 4. Electric field
1. Electric charge and Coulomb's law
2. Electric field
3. Gauss's law
4. Examples of electric fields
5. Conservation of the electric field
6. Electric potential
7. Work and electrical potential energy
8. Laplace's equation and Poisson's equation
Unit 5. Magnetic field
1. Force and magnetic field
2. Magnetic field created by a moving charge
3. Lorentz force
4. Force on a current wire subjected to an external magnetic field
5. Magnetic field created by currents. Biot-Savart law
6. Ampère's law. Flow of a magnetic field over a surface
7. Maxwell's equations
8. Applications of electric and magnetic fields in medicine
Unit 6. Fluid mechanics
1. Physics of fluids. Definitions and properties
2. Hydrostatics
3. Hydrodynamics of ideal fluids
4. Hydrodynamics of viscous fluids
5. Applications of fluid mechanics in medicine
Unit 7. Thermodynamics
1. Temperature. thermal balance
2. Equation of state of ideal gases. Thermal expansion
3. Heat. Heat capacity Heat transfer
4. Thermodynamics. Work done by a gas. internal energy
5. First law of thermodynamics
6. Thermodynamic processes
7. Second law of thermodynamics
8. Applications of thermodynamics in medicine
The teaching methodology is based on an active approach aimed at achieving the learning outcomes defined for the course. The course is delivered in 5 weekly sessions, combining lectures with participatory problem-solving activities.
The usual class structure is as follows. During the first half of the class, the instructor introduces the theoretical concepts relevant to the course content. The second half focuses on solving problems related to that content, both by the instructor and by the students. Student participation is encouraged to ensure the development of problem-solving skills. In parallel, problems are assigned for students to work on at home, which can then be discussed in class the following day.
The use of artificial intelligence tools for problem-solving is discouraged, with priority given to developing the student’s ability to grasp theoretical concepts and solve problems antonomously.
The course grade is determined based on the exam grade, the continuous evaluation grade, and the participation grade. These components are weighted as follows: 75% for exams, 20% for continuous evaluation, and 5% for participation, provided that the exam grade is equal to or greater than 4 points. If this minimum is not met, the average with the other components will not be calculated.
All evaluations are conducted in person. The use of artificial intelligence tools is strictly prohibited in all evaluation tests. If such use is detected during an evaluation, plagiarism regulations will be applied. Students who do not attend the sessions of highly significant evaluations will be marked as Not Present (NP), automatically failing the evaluation. Students who do not attend moderately significant evaluations will receive a grade of 0 for those evaluations.
The following aspects will be assessed:
. The correct application of the methodology for problem-solving in the field of physics.
- The ability to reason and solve abstract problems specific to physics.
- The proper interpretation of the results obtained, beyond mere calculation accuracy.
- Clarity and structure in presenting procedures and solutions.
- The student’s proactivity and engagement in class.
- "Física para la ciencia y la tecnología" - Paul A. Tipler y Gene Mosca. Volumen I y II - "Fórmulas y tablas de matemática aplicada (Schaum)" McGRAW-HILL
- "Física para la ciencia y la tecnología" - Paul A. Tipler y Gene Mosca. Volumen I y II - "Fórmulas y tablas de matemática aplicada (Schaum)" McGRAW-HILL