Course

Mechanics for Applied Science

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Physics
Course Code
PHYS 1170
Credits
3.00
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
36
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Typically Offered
Winter

Overview

Course Description
This course is intended for students proceeding to studies in Applied Science or Engineering. Topics include statics of particles, rigid body forces and equilibrium, structural analysis, internal forces, friction, particle kinematics and dynamics, systems of particles.
Course Content

 

  1. Force Vectors
    • Vectors
    • Vector components
    • Cartesian unit vectors
    • Vector addition and subtraction
    • Position vectors
    • Force vector along a line
    • Dot Product
  2. Particle Equilbrium
    • Condition for particle equilibrium 
    • Free-body diagram
    • Two and three dimensional force systems
  3. Force System Resultants 
    • Moment of a force 
    • Cross product 
    • Principle of moments 
    • Moment about an axis 
    • Moment of a couple
    • Equivalent system
    • Resultants of a force and couple system
  4. Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies
    • Conditions for rigid body equilibrium 
    • Equilibrium in two dimensions
    • Equilibrium in three dimensions
    • Constraints for a rigid body
  5. Structural Analysis
    • Simple Trusses
    • The Method of Joints
    • Zero-force members
    • The Method of Sections
    • Space Trusses
    • Frames and Machines
  6. Internal Forces
    • Internal Loadings Developed in Structural Members
    • Shear and Moment Equations and Diagrams
    • Relations between Distributed Load, Shear, and Moment
    • Cables
  7. Friction
    • Characteristics of dry friction
    • Coefficients of friction
    • Angles of friction
    • Problems involving dry friction
    • Wedges
    • Frictional forces on screws, belts and bearings
  8. Particle Kinematics
    • Position, velocity, acceleration
    • Rectilinear motion
    • Curvilinear motion
    • Normal and tangential components
    • Cylindrical components
    • Relative motion
  9. Particle Dynamics
    • Force and acceleration
    • Newton’s three laws of motion
    • Law of gravitation
    • Application of equations of motion in rectangular coordinates,  normal and tangential coordinates, cylindrical coordinates
  10. Work and Energy
    • Work done by constant and variable forces
    • Principle of work and energy/kinetic energy
    • Power and efficiency
    • Conservative forces and potential energy
  11. Impulse and Momentum
    • Principle of linear impulse
    • Principle for a system of particles
    • Conservation of momentum
    • Impact/collisions
Learning Activities

Class time is devoted to lectures and problem solving.

Means of Assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:

Assignments            10-20%

Project                     10-20%

Tests                       30-50%

     A minimum of two tests will be adminstered during the semester. 

Final Exam               30-40%

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:

  1. analyze two and three dimension concurrent force systems acting upon particles in equilibrium
  2. analyze the equilibrium of rigid bodies in two and three dimensions and determine equivalent systems of forces
  3. analyze structures and their internal forces
  4. apply the concepts of friction to practical problems
  5. analyze motion of particles and particle-like objects and systems using displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, Newton’s second law, energy, momentum, conservation principles.
Textbook Materials

Students should consult the bookstore for information on textbook and other required materials.

Examples of textbooks under consideration include: 

Hibbeler, R.C., Engineering Mechanics: Statics and Dynamics, current edition, McMillan

Requisites

Prerequisites

B.C. Physics 12 (C or higher) or PHYS 1107

Corequisites

MATH 1120 must precede or be taken concurrently

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for PHYS 1170
Coquitlam College (COQU) COQU PHYS 101 (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU PHYS 1170 (3)
Langara College (LANG) LANG PHYS 1219 (4)
Okanagan College (OC) OC PHYS 202 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU MSE 103 (3) or SFU PHYS 120 (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU PHYS 1XXX (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU PHYS 1XX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO PHYS_O 1st (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV PHYS_V 170 (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC PHYS 110 (4) or UNBC PHYS 1XX (4)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV ENGR 113 (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC ENGR 141 (1.5)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) VCC PHYS 1170 (3)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU PHYS 1st (3)

Course Offerings

Winter 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum Seats
36
Currently Enrolled
28
Remaining Seats:
8
On Waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S0650
Times:
Start Time
16:30
-
End Time
18:20
CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum Seats
36
Currently Enrolled
36
Remaining Seats:
0
On Waitlist
4
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S0650
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
14:20