Module Code - Title:
AR4011
-
GRAVITY AND REACTION 1
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
Give students the understanding of a number of useful structural concepts using experiment, intuition and formal learning. Give students a strong conceptual and formal grasp of these concepts, that are applicable to actual conditions.
Syllabus:
Lectures, Experiments in the following concepts:
One Equation: Gravity + Reaction = Equilibrium (stable, unstable, neutral).
Co-Ordinate Systems
What does 3D space mean?
What is gravity? EinsteinÆs view: NewtonÆs view:
Effects of gravity have been described yet what is it? How does it act over distance? Gravity waves never detected.
Friction
If force causes a change in velocity why is it so hard to push start a heavy timber crate? Why cannot a small child push start the crate?
Components of a Vector
A force can act on a body without changing its speed of motion; only its direction of motion; planetary motion.
Tension & Compression , Buckling of Compression Members, Moments
Equilibrium: How does an even see-saw balance? Neutral / unstable equilibrium. How does an uneven see-saw balance. The gravity forces are different.
Components of a force, Internal Forces, Beams: Members that Bend, Stiffness, Materials, Connections
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
NewtonÆs first Law.
Equilibrium concepts.
NewtonÆs Idea of Gravity.
Definition of a force.
Co-Ordinate systems.
Vectors.
Components of a force.
Equation of equilibrium for moments.
Levers and moments.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
see above
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
see above
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Halliday & Resnick (1997)
Fundamentals of Physics (Second Ed. Extended)
,
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
miriam.dunn@ul.ie