Content (Syllabus outline)
Mechanics: kinematical description of motion, forces: the elementary and the derived forces, forces in bio-colloids; laws of motion and static equilibrium; energy law, work, energy; power; force and energy of a molecule as a function of distance between atoms; momentum; angular momentum and its conservation for two-body system that interacts via electric or gravitational force.
Hydrostatics: pressure, buoyancy, surface tension and its macroscopic explanation.
Hydrodynamics: Centrifgual separation in the rotating fluid, viscosity, Bernoulli equation, linear and quadratic drag force in fluids.
Introduction to statistical thermodynamics: Brownian motion, Boltzmann's distribution of molecules with energy; derivation of ideal gas law, mixture of gasses; transport properties: diffusion and Fick's law, heat flow, osmosis.
Thermodynamics: equation of state and phase diagram for general pure substance; energy law, internal energy and heat; specific heat; thermodynamic potentials: enthalpy, free energy and free enthalpy, calorimetry for cooking; chemical potential; entropy; heat engines: refrigerator; phase transitions: vaporisation, boiling, evaporation, sublimation, melting; heat transfer.
Electric field: Coulomb's law, electrostatic potential and voltage; ionic and Van der Waals chemical bond; the description of stability of biocolloids as an example of the static equilibrium between the electrostatic and van der Waals forces; electrochemical potential and electrostatic shielding in electrolytes; insulators, dielectrics and conductors; electric current: Ohm's and Kirchoff's laws; alternating current; electric power.
Magnetism: magnetic field; the magnetic force on the moving charge and the current; mass spectrometry; magnetic moment and the torque on it; induction.
Electromagnetic waves: basic properties, wave phenomena; microwaves and microwave oven.
Molecular structure: basic physical properties of biocolloids, lipids and lipid membranes, polymers, proteins, DNA.
The fundamentals of biophysics: transport of matter through the membrane, electrical potential of the membrane; osmotic pressure; the cell as heat engine.
The lectures are supplemented by chosen numerical exercises in order to demonstrate the considered phenomenon or system as clear as possible. The tutorials cover the topics discussed at lectures. The numerical problems improve and develop also the numerical-analysis skills.
Prerequisites
Positive grade from the written exam is required for the oral exam in theory.