- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Physics for humanists with examples from Earth's sciences 1100-FDH-OG
The Earth sciences consider many physical phenomena that could be used for teaching physical sciences. Two aims could be achieved in that way: teaching the physics and explaining processes in the environment. This way could be more interesting for students than description of idealized experiments commonly used in teaching the physics. The mathematical methods are reduced because the course is addressed mainly to students of social sciences.
Program:
1-2. Kinematics and dynamics (velocity, acceleration, motion, forces, Newton's laws of motion, momentum, kinetic energy. Rotation and its laws. Non-inertial reference systems, non-inertial forces - Coriolis force and its role for terrestrial processes).
3. Newton's law of universal gravitation: motion of celestial bodies, Kepler's laws, Problem: weight of the Earth. Sea tides and Moon motion. Gravitational anomalies and applied geophysics.
4. Temperature, heat, phases, phase changes of the water. Perfect gas law and thermodynamic processes in Earth's atmosphere.
5. Solar electromagnetic radiation (spectrum, refraction and reflection laws, rainbow, photons, ionisation, plasma, ionosphere). Corpuscular radiation of Sun.
6. Sources of energy for internal processes: decay of radioactive isotopes (law of decay, Einstein formula E=mc2, radiogenic heat sources in rocks). Initial heat of the Earth: energy of accretion and differentiation, "iron catastrophe".
7-8. Mechanics and thermodynamics of gas in atmosphere: Archimedes law, winds: sea breeze and land breeze, trade winds, atmospheric fronts, lows and highs, clouds and precipitation. Aerodynamic forces.
9-10. Rheology of materials (plasticity, Maxwell body). Geotectonic processes: mantle convection, continental drift, continental growth, orogenesis, volcanism).
11-12. Elastic waves in seismology: P, S, R waves. Earthquakes: phenomenon, mechanism, prediction, coupled tectonic processes, devastating factors, tsunami.
13-14. Electromagnetic terrestrial fields (field generated by internal and external sources, electric currents in the Earth, mechanism of field generation, geodynamo). External field (ionosphere, magnetosphere, interaction with solar wind, space weather).
15. Summary: some problems of today's geophysics.
Prerequisites
Physics and geography on the high-school level.
examination method
midterm tests by internet
final exam (test)
Description by Leszek Czechowski, 2007.
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
Understanding the methods of physics and its role in natural sciences
Assessment criteria
internet tests for each lecture, the final written test,
regular consultation in 'real'.
Practical placement
none
Bibliography
1. L. Czechowski, Tektonika płyt i konwekcja w płaszczu Ziemi, .Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa, 1994.
2. I. de Pater, J.J. Lissauer, Planetary sciences, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2001.
3. W. G. Ernst, Earth material, 1969 Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA.
4. F. D. Stacey, Physics of the Earth, J. Wiley and Sons Inc., 1969 (also later editions)
5. E. J. Tarbuck and F. K. Lutgens, Earth Science, Merrill Publ. Co., 1988, Columbus.
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: