NFYK10005U Continuum Mechanics

Volume 2024/2025
Education

MSc Programme in Physics
MSc Programme in Physics with a minor subject

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.

Learning Outcome

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 behavior of objects modeled 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.

Knowledge
The student will be able 1) to describe the flow of ideal fluids in basic idealized systems 2) to describe in detail the Navier-Stokes equation and 3) be familiar with stress and strain tensors, linear elasticity and the Navier-Cauchy equation

Competences
This course will provide the students with a competent background for further studies within this research field, e.g. an M.Sc. project. 
The course will provide the students with tools that have application in a range of fields within and beyond physics.

To be announced on Absalon

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
Lectures and exercises
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 24
  • Theory exercises
  • 35
  • E-Learning
  • 0,5
  • Exam
  • 146,5
  • Total
  • 206,0
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 30 min
Type of assessment details
Without preparation time
Exam registration requirements

3 projects (group or individual) must be approved in order to take the oral exam

Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Re-exam

Same as regular 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 assesment

SeeLearning Outcome