Continuum Mechanics
Course content
In the macroscopic world, most materials that surround us e.g.
solids and liquids can safely be assumed to exist as continua, that
is, the materials completely fill the space they occupy and the
underlying atomic structures can be neglected. The course offers a
modern introduction to the physics of continuous matter with an
emphasis on examples from natural occurring systems (e.g. in the
physics of complex systems and the Earth sciences). Focus is
equally on the underlying formalism of continuum mechanics and
phenomenology. In the course you will become familiar with the
mechanical behavior of materials ranging from viscous fluids to
elastic solids.
A description of the deformation of solids is given, including the
concepts of mechanical equilibrium, the stress and strain tensors,
linear elasticity. A derivation is given of the Navier-Cauchy
equation as well as examples from elastostatics and elastodynamics
including elastic waves. A description of fluids in motion is given
including the Euler equations, potential flow, Stokes' flow and
the Navier-Stokes equation. Examples of numerical modeling of
continous matter will be given.
MSc Programme in Physics
MSc Programme in Physics with a minor
subject
Knowledge:
The student will
- Be able to describe the flow of ideal fluids in basic idealized systems
- Be able to describe in detail the Navier-Stokes equation
- Be familiar with stress and strain tensors, linear elasticity and the Navier-Cauchy equation
Skills:
At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to use the
fundamental physical laws of mass conservation, conservation of
momentum, and conservation of energy to derive partial differential
equations describing the behaviour of objects modelled as a
continuum. The students will be able to calculate the stress and
strain during small deformations of linear elastic materials in
simple geometries, as well as basic examples of fluid flow.
Competences:
This course will provide the students with a competent background
for further studies within this research field, e.g. an MSc
project.
The course will provide the students with tools that have
application in a range of fields within and beyond
physics.
Lectures and exercises
See Absalon
Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Oral examination, 30 minutes (no preparation time)
- Examination prerequisites
-
Approval of 3 projects (group or individual)
- Aid
- No aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examiners
- Re-exam
-
Same as the ordinary exam.
If a student has not fulfilled the exam registration requirement, they can hand in new projects no later than 3 weeks before the oral re-exam.
Criteria for exam assessment
See Learning Outcome
Single subject courses (day)
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 24
- Theory exercises
- 35
- E-Learning
- 0,5
- Exam
- 146,5
- English
- 206,0
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- NFYK10005U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
-
1 block
- Placement
- Block 3
- Schedulegroup
-
B
- Capacity
- No limitation – unless you register in the late-registration period (BSc and MSc) or as a credit or single subject student.
- Studyboard
- Study Board of Physics, Chemistry and Nanoscience
Contracting department
- The Niels Bohr Institute
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinator
- Aslak Grinsted (5-657770656f4472666d326f7932686f)
Teacher
Aslak Grinsted
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Kursusinformation for indskrevne studerende