BENG403 

Module Name Engineering Physics & Materials 
 Module Code BENG403  
 Level Four 
 Credits 15 

  

  

Module Description and General Aims 

 
This module is a core module in all sub-disciplines. This module covers fundamental topics in physics and material properties, which are required for all engineering disciplines.  

The main purpose of pedagogical features of this module is to provide the student with a clear and rational presentation of the fundamental of physics and material properties to enhance their understanding of the concept through a broad range of interesting real-world applications of physics and materials in engineering. The subject contents include, but are not limited to, mechanics (measurement, Newton’s Laws of Motions, force and motion analysis, work, energy and momentum), different properties of materials (mechanical, thermal. electrical, optical) and material selection; and introduction to Modern physics (relativity, quantum mechanics, application of nuclear physics). The module further enables the student to display analytical problem-solving ability in providing solutions to engineering problems. 

On completion, the student should be able to describe examples and applications of the principles studied and apply them in the engineering technology field. 

  

Learning Outcomes 

On successful completion of this Module, students are expected to be able to: 

  1. Analyse motion, force, energy and momentum related problems. 
    Bloom’s Level 4 
  1. Utilise material properties and material selections for different applications   

Bloom’s Level 3  

  1. Explain relativity and relativistic energy 
    Bloom’s Level 2 
  1. Analyse problems related to the principles of quantum mechanics 
    Bloom’s Level 4 
  1. Solve nuclear physics and radiation related problems. 
    Bloom’s Level 3 

  

Student Assessment 

Assessment Type When assessed Weighting (% of total module marks) Learning Outcomes Assessed 
Assessment 1 Type: Multiple-choice Quiz (Invigilated) Description: Students will need to complete multiple-choice quiz questions to demonstrate a good understanding of the fundamental concepts. After Topic 3 15% 1 
Assessment 2 Type: Mid-semester Test (Invigilated) Description: Students will need to answer some short and/or long answer questions and/or solve some simple numerical problems. After Topic 6 20% 1,2 
Assessment 3 Type: Practical Project (Report)   Description: Students need to complete this practical project either using a software or by hand calculations and drawings. After Topic 9 20% 2 
Assessment 4 Type: Examination (Invigilated) Description: An examination with a mix of MCQs, theoretical short/detailed answer questions and some engineering problems.    Exam Week 40% All 
Tutorial Attendance & Participation            Description: Attendance, presentation, discussion, group work, exercises, self-assessment/reflection, case study analysis, application. Continuous 5% All 

Overall Requirements: Students must achieve a result of 40% or above in the exam itself to pass the exam and must pass the exam to be able to pass the module. An overall final module score of 50% or above must be achieved to pass the module once all assessment, including the exam, has been completed. 

  

Prescribed and Recommended Readings 

Suggested Textbook 

  • Rex, R. Wolfson, Essential College Physics, Volume I, 2020, ISBN:9781516548330. 
  • Rex, R. Wolfson, Essential College Physics, Volume II, 2020, ISBN: 9781516548354. 

AND 

For Materials:  

  • J. Bird, C. Ross, Mechanical Engineering Principles, 4th ed, 2019 – ISBN-13: 978-0367253240 
  • Raymond A. Serway, 2018, Physics For Scientist And Engineers With Modern Physics (10th Edition), Brooks/Cole, ISBN-13: 9781337553292. 
  • Randall D. Knight, 2016, Physics For Scientists And Engineers A Strategic Approach With Modern Physics (Forth Edition), ISBN-13: 9781292157429 
  • William D. Callister and David G. Rethwisch, 2020, Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction, 1st Australia and New Zealand Edition, ISBN: 9780730382836 

Journal, website 

http://iopscience.iop.org/ 
 

Reference Materials 

  • Peer-reviewed Journals 
  • Knovel library: http://app.knovel.com 
  • IDC Technologies publications 
  • Other material and online collections as advised during lectures 

  

Module Content  

Topic 1: Motion Distance, time and mass measurements Fundamental constants and dimensional analysis Linear Motion: Position, displacement, velocity, speed, acceleration and SUVAT Angular Motion: The Radian, Velocity, Acceleration Scalars and vectors Velocity and acceleration in two dimensions Projectile motion and uniform circular motion Motion on a flat and inclined plane. 
Topic 2: Forces Force and mass Laws of mechanics Newton’s First Law Newton’s Second Law Reaction Forces Newton’s Third Law Torque Buoyancy Pressure 
Topic 3: Friction and Rigid Body Friction force Laws of sliding friction Wedge friction Rolling resistance Translation and rotation of rigid bodies General plane motion of simple rigid bodies Drag Centripetal force 
Topic 4: Work and Energy   The work of a force Principle of work and energy Power and Efficiency Conservative Forces and Potential Energy Conservation of Energy Linear Impulse and Momentum Conservation of Linear Momentum Impact Angular momentum 
Topic 5: Mechanical properties of materials  Concepts of stress and strain Stress-strain relationship, young modulus: steel / polymer/ ceramics (How different materials behave) Ductility, resilience, toughness and hardness, flexibility, etc Compressibility  
Topic 6: Thermal properties of materials Fundamentals of Thermodynamics Heat capacity Thermal expansion Thermal conductivity Thermal stress Insulation  Melting point, boiling point, pressure, temperature Gas equations (PV=nRT) Vapor pressure  
Topic 7: Optical properties of materials Light interactions with solids Atomic and electronic interactions Optical properties of metals and non-metals Selective light absorption in semiconductors Applications of optical phenomena Fibre optics in communication  
Topic 8: Electrical and magnetic properties of materials Electrical conduction and conductivity Electron mobility Electrical resistivity of metals Intrinsic semi-conduction and extrinsic semi-conduction Magnetic dipoles and field vectors Magnetic moments Diamagnetism, ferromagnetism and para-magnetism  
Topic 9: Material Selection and Applications Composite materials Metal and alloys  Polymers Ceramics Factors affecting material selections Material selection procedure Material property chart Ashby methodology 
Topic 10: Modern physics Part 1 (Relativity) Introduction to Galilean relativity Introduction to Einstein’s relativity What is special theory of relativity and its consequences Lorentz transformation equations Relativistic energy The general theory of relativity 
Topic 11: Modern physics Part 2 (Quantum mechanics) Principal of quantum physics Planck’s hypothesis The principle of uncertainty The wave functions Application of Tunnelling The simple harmonic Oscillator 
Topic 12: Modern physics Part 3 (Nuclear Physics) Principle of Nuclei and radioactivity Nuclear fission Nuclear reactors Nuclear fusion Radiation damage Application of radiation 

  

Software/Hardware Used 

Software 

  • Software: N/A 
  • Version: N/A 
  • Instructions: N/A 
  • Additional resources or files: N/A 

Hardware 

  • N/A