DEDAN KIMATHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES

SPH 1120 PHYSICS I

Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a good understanding of fundamental
concepts in physics and their application in engineering.

Course Objectives

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

1. Differentiate between scalar and vector quantities and their applications in different problems
of mechanics,

2. Demonstrate a good understanding of the Newton’s laws of motion and apply them in
engineering
3. Describe and apply laws of conservation of energy

4. Distinguish solids, liquids and gases

5. Mathematically express oscillatory and wave motion

6. Demonstrate understanding of the concept of temperature, heat as a form of energy

7. Apply laws of geometrical optics and their application in optical instruments

Course Description

Lecture I: Introduction : definition of physical quantity, measurement, units and dimensions,

International System of Units (SI) ,vectors and scalar quantities, subdivision of physics,
guidelines in solving problems in physics
Lecture II: Kinematics: rectilinear motion, displacement, velocity, acceleration, circular motion
Lecture III: Newton’s laws of motion: Newton’s laws of motion, linear momentum
Lecture IV: Work and energy: work, kinetic energy, potential energy, law of conservation of energy
Lecture V: Equilibrium and elasticity, stress and strain, elastic moduli
Lecture VI: Oscillations and waves: SHM, simple pendulum, transverse and longitudinal waves

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Lecture VII: Fluids: Density, pressure, viscosity, Pascal and Archimedes principles, Bernoulli and
Poiseuille equations
Lecture VIII: Introduction to thermodynamics: temperature, heat, phase transition, laws of
thermodynamics
Lecture IX: Introduction to geometrical optics and optical instruments

Laboratory experiments: Precision measurements, simple pendulum, viscosity, heat capacity

Teaching Methodologies

The method of instruction will be lectures, interactive tutorials, educational field trips, practical
classes, and any other presentations / demonstrations the lecturer will deem fit towards enhancing
understanding of the concepts taught in class.

Instruction Materials/Equipment

1. Whiteboard
2. LCD/Overhead Projector
3. Handouts
4. Internet

Course assessment

During the period of study, assessment will be conducted by CATs (Continuous Assessment Tests),
regular assignments and a final Examination at end of the unit. The composition for continuous
assessment shall be as follows: 15% Practicals, 5% Assignments, 10% Tests

Prerequisites: None

Core Textbook: Halliday, D., Resnick, R., & Walker, J. (2018), Fundamentals of Physics,(11th
Ed). New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc, ISBN: 978-1-119-30685-6

Other Textbooks:

1. Richardson, R. C., Giambattista, A., & Richardson, B. (2015), Physics, (3rd Ed.) McGraw-Hill
Education, New York, ISBN: 978-0-073-51215-0
2. Hugh D. Young, Roger A, Freedman and A. Lewis Ford (2016), Sears and Zemansky’s University
Physics with Modern Physics, (14th Ed) Addison-Wesley: ISBN: 978-1-323-17118-9
3. Harris Benson (2010), University Physics, Rev. Ed., Wiley-India, ISBN: 978-81-265-1894-4

Instructor: Alphonse NIYIBIZI, PhD, Senior Lecturer

Room 09 Resource Centre

Tel: 0708 995486

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e-mail: nieysal@gmail.com