FYSS6355 Continuum Physics (3–12 cr)

Open the course unit brochure on Sisu
Study level:
Advanced studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English, Finnish
Responsible organisation:
Department of Physics
Curriculum periods:
2024-2025, 2025-2026, 2026-2027, 2027-2028

Description

  • Mathematics related to continuum physics
  • Fluid mechanics
  • Heat transfer
  • Introduction to elasticity and plasticity
  • Experiments and numerics in continuum physics

Please see also the content descriptions of the individual assessment items.

Learning outcomes

After the course the student is able to

  • recognize and classify basic phenomena in continuum physics
  • apply basic theories to solve continuum problems with a phenomenological approach
  • model and solve practical applications of continuum physics

Module 1: Mathematical preliminaries

After the module, the student knows the basic mathematical methods that are used in continuum physics.

Module 2: Fluid mechanics

After the module, the student

  • can use vector and tensor algebra to solve fluid mechanics problems.
  • is able to recognize different types of fluids and can classify flow conditions.
  • can choose, formulate, and derive equations that describe different flow conditions, and solve simple flow problems
  • can apply the theory of frictionless planar flow to simple problems.

Module 3: Heat transfer

After the module, the student

  • remembers and can compare different heat transfer mechanisms and can describe their physical basis.
  • can deduce relevant heat transfer phenomena in a given situation.
  • can describe how heat equation and Fourier’s law can be used to find out temperature distribution and heat flows.
  • can derive heat equation from the conservation of energy and differential volume element.
  • can calculate radiative heat exchange between two or more surface.

Module 4: Elasticity and plasticity

After the module, the student

  • knows the physical basis of elasticity and plasticity
  • knows phenomena that are important for experiments and applications.
  • can solve simple elasticity problems in restricted geometries.

Module 5: Experiments and numerics

After the module, the student can perform experiments related to continuum mechanics and analyze their results. The student has gained expertise in measurement methods and devices related to continuum physics.


Study materials

Please see the individual assessment items.

Completion methods

Method 1

Evaluation criteria:
Total points from course elements.
Time of teaching:
Period 1, Period 2
Mathematical preliminaries is a compulsory module. Other modules are optional.
Select NaN parts
Parts of the completion methods
x

Mathematical preliminaries (1 cr)

Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
Pass - fail
Language:
English, Finnish

Teaching

x

Fluid Mechanics (5 cr)

Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
0-5
Evaluation criteria:
<p>Written exam</p>
Language:
English, Finnish
Literature:
  • White – Fluid mechanics

Teaching

x

Heat Transfer (2 cr)

Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
0-5
Evaluation criteria:
<p>Written exam</p>
Language:
English, Finnish
Literature:
  • • F.P. Incropera et al., Principles of Heat and Mass Transfer (7th ed., international student version), ISBN: 978-0-470-64615-1
  • • J.H. Lienhard IV and J.H. Lienhard V, A Heat Transfer Textbook (5th ed., Phlogiston Press, 2020). Available: http://ahtt.mit.edu.

Teaching

x

Elasticity and Plasticity (2 cr)

Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
0-5
Evaluation criteria:
<p>Points from exercises and evaluation discussion</p>
Language:
English, Finnish
Literature:
  • N. S. Ottosen and M. Ristinmaa: The Mechanics of Constitutive Modeling (Elsevier 2005)
  • L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz: Theory of Elasticity (Pergamon Press 1959)

Teaching

x

Experiments and numerics in continuum physics (2 cr)

Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
Pass - fail
Evaluation criteria:
<p>Laboratory reports</p>
Language:
English, Finnish
Study methods:

Laboratory exercises

Study materials:

Lab instructions handed out at the beginning of the module. 

Teaching