Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Science (Volume 4 page 228)
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Credit points: 9.5
Coordinator: Dr V Gurarie and Dr L Thomas
Prerequisite: Physics 640-121+122 or 141+142 (before 1996: 640-120 or 640-140): Mathematics 618-121 or 618-142 (before 1996: 618-101); Mathematics 618-122 or 618-200 or 618-211 (before 1996: 618-102); Mathematics 618-132 or 618-130.
Contact: 26 lectures (two a week) and 13 x 1-hour tutorials
Timetable: Second semester
Objectives:
By the end of this course the student should:
- comprehend the elementary principles underlying our understanding of continuum mechanics, that is the mechanics of deformable media such as liquids and solids;
- be able to apply continuum mechanics to an understanding of the constitution and behaviour of the inaccessible interior of the earth;
- appreciate the importance and power of these principles in our efforts to understand the earth.
Content:
Mechanics of elastic solids: stress; strain; elastic moduli; applied to real and ideal solids. Mechanics of fluids: basic equations; simple types of flow; turbulence. Diffusion and wave equations. Waves in solids: longitudinal; transverse; behaviour at interfaces. Seismic waves: exploration of the earth's interior. Waves in fluids: sound waves; water waves; tides in the ocean and solid earth. Heat transfer and internal heat transfer in the Earth. Earth's magnetic field. Deformation and fracture of rocks. Plate tectonics and continental drift.
Assessment:
A 3-hour end-of-semester written examination.
Prescribed texts:
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Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Science (Volume 4 page 228)
Status: Official 1996 Date created: Oct 9 1995 Last modified: Oct 9 1995 Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Maintained by: School of Physics, Faculty of Science.
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.