Physics I is an introductory course with regard to the necessary knowledge of Mechanics and Fluid Mechanics that a student should have, in order to successfully attend special background courses of the School of Environmental Engineering. The subjects are examined as a natural continuation of the lectures of High School, since the basic concepts of Mechanics and Fluid Mechanics are reintroduced, using advanced mathematical tools. Students are asked to deal gradually with increasing difficulty problems which results, through a smooth transition, to better management of the requirements of a Polytechnic School. In parallel with lectures, laboratory exercises that have a dual role are performed. On the one hand they help students understand the basic concepts presented in the lectures and on the other hand they are the anteroom for acquainting students with the laboratory environment and teaching them to write an integrated laboratory report. During the laboratory exercises the students receive all the necessary skills for the successful management of the specialized background laboratory exercises they are called upon to complete in the following years of their presence in the School of Environmental Engineering.

Upon successful completion of this course the students will acquire new knowledge and specific skills on the following subjects:

• Will have knowledge of the basic principles of Mechanics and Fluid Mechanics (Equilibrium and motion of point particle and a rigid body, forces, kinetic energy and potential energy, work, linear and angular momentum, pressure, fluid motion).
• Will be capable to create a group of equations, to solve a complex physics problem.
• Will be capable to successfully select and use the appropriate mathematical tools to to solve a complex physics problem.
• Can compose a simple experimental setup.
• Will be able to collect and evaluate experimental data from a simple experimental setup.
• Can work with his/her fellow students to produce a laboratory report in the form of a small scientific article.

• Adaptation ability
• Decision making
• Work in teams
• Advance free, creative and causative thinking

1. Systems of measurements and Units.
2. Vectors.
3. Point Particle motion along a straight line and two or three dimensions.
4. Force.
5. Kinetic Energy, Potential Energy and Work.
6. Center of mass and Linear Momentum.
7. Rotation of a rigid body.
8. Torque and Angular Momentum.
9. Rolling of a rigid body.
10. Equilibrium and Elasticity.
11. Fluid density and Pressure.
12. Motion of Fluids.

Assessment Method

1. Oral exam before each laboratory exercise and evaluation of the student’s performance during each laboratory exercise (6%).
2. 6 group (3 students) laboratory reports (9%)
3. Written final examination of the laboratory exercises (15%).
4.  Written final examination of the subjects taught during lectures and tutorials (70%)

• Fundamentals of Physics, Halliday D., Resnick R., Walker J.
• University Physics, Young H., D., Freedman R., A.