The physics module consists of 8 hours of lectures and 4 hours of small-group exercises.

The lectures

Vector theory

  • Vector magnitude: definition and representations (geometric and algebraic)
  • Composition of vectors from their geometric representation
  • Algebraic representation of a vector
  • Composition of vectors from their algebraic representation
  • Use of vectors in physics - Example of the translational equilibrium of a body subjected to several forces.

Kinematics

  • The fundamental quantities of kinematics
    • The position vector and the law of spaces
      • The velocity vector and the law of velocities
    • The acceleration vector and the law of accelerations
  • Analysis of a few simple simple motions
    • Uniform rectilinear motion - MRU
    • Uniformly accelerated rectilinear motion - MRUA
    • The falling bodies
    • Composition of a MRU and a MRUA
    • Exercises

    • Dynamics

    • Objective - notion of force - measurement of a force
    • Forces
      • Universal gravitation
      • Weight
        • Elastic force
      • Frictional force
  • La Newton's 1st law (principle of inertia) and some applications
  • Newton's 2nd law
    • Mass
    • Applications of Newton's 2nd law : satellite motion, motion on an inclined plane, parabolic flight
  • Newton's 3rd law (action-reaction principle) and some applications.

    • Exercises

    Exercises are carried out in small groups with the help of an assistant.

    They focus mainly on vector calculus and kinematics. These two subjects also provide an opportunity to review a few mathematical tools (trigonometry and derivative of a function) essential for tackling a physics course.