Module: Motion & Energy

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Motion & Energy
Module Code	PHY1022 (ITS: PS115)
Faculty	Physical Sciences	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This course is designed to give the student an introduction into the fundamentals of (Newtonian) mechanics and rotational dynamics. These topics are fundamental to further studies in a wide range of areas of physics. The course is a combination of conceptual understanding and numerical problem-solving.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe and discuss qualitatively the main physical concepts in the areas of Mechanics
2. Use mathematics, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry and basic calculus (mainly differentiation) in describing appropriate aspects of mechanics.
3. Solve basic problems on the topics above using the various mathematical techniques above.
4. Utilise and leverage knowledge and techniques covered in earlier parts of the course to describe both qualitatively and mathematically and tackle problems in topics covered in later parts (e.g. confidently use vector analysis in later parts of the course)

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	36	Whole group lecture
Independent Study	89	Self directed study of concepts and numerical problem solving including Mastering Physics
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11354	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	Y
Module Co-ordinator	Robert O'Connor	Module Teacher	Eilish McLoughlin, Jennifer Gaughran, Paul Van Kampen

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Weekly Assignments from Mastering Physics covering primarily problem-based testing of the mathematical/quantitative aspects of the earlier topics	40%	Every Week
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	60%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Lecture Series: Units, physical quantities & vectors
SI units, physical quantities, scalars and vectors

Lecture Series: Motion along a straight line
Displacement, velocity and acceleration. Motion with constant acceleration. Motion under gravity.

Lecture Series: Motion in 2 or 3 dimensions
Using vectors to represent 2 or 3 dimensional motion. Projectile motion and circular motion.

Lecture Series: Newton’s Laws & applications
Force as a vector.Force, mass and acceleration. Free body diagrams. Friction, forces and acceleration.

Lecture Series: Work and kinetic energy
Work done by a force. Kinetic energy and motion. Force and power.

Lecture Series: Potential energy & conservation
Gravitational potential energy. Elastic energy and springs. Conservative and non-conservative forces

Lecture Series: Momentum, Impulse & collisions
Momentum and impulse. Conservation of momentum. Elastic and inelastic collisions.

Lecture Series: Rotation of rigid bodies
Angular motion, momentum and acceleration. Relation to linear quantities. Moment of inertia and torque.

Learning Activities
The main learning activities are attending lectures and the related learning activity of solving numerical and other problems related to the topics covered. Students are expected to attend lectures and tutorials and to prepare for both by appropriate study (including the use of on-line Loop resources provided and textbooks) and thus be able to engage fully in discussions and other interactions, such as live polling of conceptual understanding in lectures and tutorials. Students are further expected to prepare for in-class and other tests and end of module examinations via study and, as needed, discussion with the lecturer. Each section of the course is supported by Pearson's Mastering Physics Virtual Learning Environment. In particular, students complete a Dynamic Study Module related to each section of the course which can adapt to their learning requirements and identify gaps in their conceptual understanding of the subject matter. Numerical problem solving skills are supported by a YouTube channel which features extra tutorial questions with full worked solutions which can be found at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC6YwqJ3XvEi6i8CplB8D_Q

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Roger A. Freedman, A. Lewis Ford, Francis Weston Sears Hugh D. Young,: 2012, Sears and Zemansky's University Physics with Modern Physics, 13, 1-10,13, 978-0-321-76218-4
Mansfield and O'Sullivan: 2005, Understanding Physics, 6, Prentice Hall,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None