MIDANDS STATE UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED PHYSICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Module Title: Mechanics

Module Code: HIPI 133
Lecturer: Ms S Mabota
Office:
Contact Hours: Teaching 20 Hours
Seminars 8 Hours
Tutorials 4 Hours
Independent Study 8 Hours
Consultation: Mondays, 2-4pm
Email mabotas@staff.msu.ac.zw
Level: 1
Semester 1
Credits 5

Module Rationale

This module offers the students an introduction to the study of mechanics of machines
and materials. It covers the basic principles in the area of statics and dynamics that are
fundamental to engineering design.

Aims and Learning Outcomes

Mechanics provides the (building blocks) of statics, strength of materials, and fluid
dynamics. Statics conceder the effects and distribution of the forces on the construction
so there are topics analysis, cables, equilibrium of force system, friction, resultant of force
system, moments of inertia and centre of mass

Intended Student Learning Outcomes

For this module, the student has to master the following outcomes:
1. Manipulate basic formulae and understand the basic SI system of units as applied
to mechanics of machines and materials.
2. Apply conditions of equilibrium to coplanar force systems.
3. Define the relationships between mass, weight, acceleration and force.
4. Solve straight line motion problems.
5. Conduct lab experiments in mechanics as part of a team in a safe and appropriate
manner and produce individual reports.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Outline
1. Units
Units SI Units, orders of magnitude. Definition of vector and scalar quantities.
2. Kinematics
Distance, displacement, speed, velocity, acceleration. Equations of motion. Addition and
resolution of vectors. Speed Time graphs. Free falling bodies.

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 3. Kinetics
Force and acceleration, Newton’s Laws of Motion, mass, weight, gravity, momentum,
conservation of momentum, moment of forces, torque. Applications of Newton’s 2nd
Law.
4. Statics.
Force. Equilibrium and conditions of equilibrium of co-planar force systems.
Parallelogram of forces. Resolution of forces, forces on an inclined plane for concentrated
loads. Moment, principle of moments, couple.
5. Work Energy and Power
Work and Power. Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy, Conservation of Energy.
6. Oscillations
Harmonic oscillation Mechanic oscillation Electric oscillations, Waves in long
conductors, Coupled conductors and transformers and pendulums
7. Circular Motion
Position and Velocity (Polar Coordinates Circular Motion: Position and Velocity Vectors
Angular Velocity), Uniform Circular Motion (Uniform Circular Motion, Uniform
Circular Motion - Direction of the Acceleration, Period and Frequency) Circular motion
Acceleration (Acceleration, Angular Acceleration, Angular Position from Angular
Acceleration, Review of Rotational Kinematics), Newton’s 2nd Law and Circular Motion
(Newton’s 2nd Law and Circular Motion, Car on a Banked Turn, Rotating Bucket)
8. Stress and strain
Load, deformation, tensile testing, direct stress and strain. Modulus of elasticity.
9. Special Relativity
Space-time frame reference Galilean transformation, simultaneity of event, Einstein
special relativity theory and Lorentz transformation, time dilation and length contraction,
velocity transformation
10. Gravitation
The universal law of gravitation.
Acceleration due to gravity.
Kepler's laws of planetary motion.
Gravitational potential energy; gravitational potential.
Escape velocity. Orbital velocity of a satellite. Geostationary satellites.
11. Lab Programme
Safety lecture. Report writing lecture. Conduct practical experiments from the following
list; 1 Static friction on a horizontal plane. 2 Acceleration due to gravity. 3 Equilibrium of
a point. 4 Equilibrium of a rigid body. 5 Hooke's Law. 6 Modulus of Rigidity-Rubber
Block. 7. Tensile Test. 8. Impact & Hardness tests.

Methods of Assessment
Assessment Detail
Lecture Preparation
Before each lecture, students work through the relevant course material, prepare answers
to the embedded questions, and identify aspects which require further explanation.
Responses to questions are submitted on line in preparation for each lecture.

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Presentation
Students prepare a 10-minute presentation (allowing 2-3 minutes for questions) on a
nuclear and radiation physics topic. Students also submit a summary of their presentation
topic. A component of the mark will be based on interaction during other students'
question time.

Assignments
The standard assessment consists of 3 assignments.

Final Exam
One 3-hour exam is used to assess the understanding of and ability to use the material
presented in lectures and provided in the reading handouts.

Submission
Submission of Assigned Work

Coversheets must be completed and attached to all submitted work. Work should be
submitted via the assignment drop box at the School Office.

Late submission of assessments

If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A
penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends
count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that
an assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a
maximum of 50% of the mark.

Reading List

 Russell C. Hibbeler (Author) 2015, Engineering Mechanics; Statics and Dynamics, 14th
Ed., Prentice Hall [ISBN: 978-013391542]
 Richard Gentle, Peter Edwards, Bill Bolton 2001, Mechanical engineering systems, 1st
Ed., Butterworth/Heinemann Oxford [ISBN: 9780750652131]
 John Hannah, M. J. Hillier 1999, Mechanical engineering science, 3rd Ed., Longman
Harlow, England [ISBN: 0582326753]
 L.N. Hand, J.D. Finch. Analytical mechanics (Cambridge, 1998). - A fresher, more
didactic exposition of mechanics. Standard material.
 https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-1/pages/12-3-stress-strain-and-
elastic-modulus
 https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/8-01sc-classical-mechanics-fall-2016/pages/week-3-circular-
motion/
 Gregory A DiLisi 2019 Classical Mechanics, Volume 4 The Universal Law of
Gravitation
 Hiqmet Kamberaj 2021 Classical Mechanics