Physical Sciences

MODULE UNIT DESCRIPTION

This module unit aims at the fundamentals of chemistry and Physics which form the basics for practical application in building and civil engineering works.

PURPOSE

The sub-module unit is designed to equip the trainee with the basic principles of Chemistry and Physics applicable in building and civil engineering.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

At the end of the module unit, the trainee should be able to:

1. Apply the basic principles of chemistry and Physics to practical areas in the field of Building and Civil Engineering.
2. Observe safe working habits in the laboratory

MODULE SUMMARY AND TIME ALLOCATION

CODE SUB-MODULE UNIT CONTENT TIME T P TOTAL 12.1.1 ATOMIC STRUCTURE AND BONDING • Description of Atomic Structure • Importance of outermost electrons in chemical bonding • Features of chemical bond • Bond type 2 3 5 12.1.2 MOLE CONCEPT FORMULAE AND CHEMICAL REACTIONS • Definitions of terms • Chemical equations • Oxidation/reduction • Application in redox reactions • Role of water in ionization • 2 3 5 12.1.3 ACIDS, BASES AND SALTS • Definition of terms • Strength of acids and bases • Properties of acids, bases and salts • Preparation of a given salt 2 2 4 12.1.4 HARDNESS OF WATER • Meaning of hard water and soft water • Causes of hardness in water • Process of softening hard water 2 3 5 12.1.5 POLYMERS • Definitions of terms • Types of polymers • Disposal of polymers 2 3 5 12.1.6 NUCLEAR CHMISTRY • Meaning of radio activity • Nature of radio activity • Radio activity decay service • Application of radio isotype • Non destructive testing 2 2 4 12.1.7 OPTICS • Nature of light • Laws of reflection • Laws of refraction • Types of mirrors • Dispersion of light • Optical instrument 2 2 4 12.1.8 SOUND • Sources of sound • Propagation of sound • Production of sound 3 3 6 12.1.9 MECHANICS • Types of forces • Varying • Uniformly distributed • Concentrated • Movements 3 3 6 TOTAL 44

ATOMIC STRUCTURE AND BONDING

THEORY

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit the trainee should be able to:

1. describe the structure of an atom
2. explain the importance of outermost electronics in chemical bonding
3. outline the main features of chemical bonds
4. explain the effect of bond type and structure on the physical properties of common construction materials

Content

• Description of structure of an atom
• importance of outermost electrons in chemical bonding
• Main features of chemical bonds:ionic,covalent,dative and hydrogen
• Effect of bond type and structure on physical properties of common construction materials

Competences

Ability to:

• Apply the atomic structure and bonding in Nuclear Chemistry
• Relate bound type and structure to properties of common construction materials

Suggested Learning Resources

• Modern inorganic chemistry by F. Liptrot
• Chemistry in context by Graham Hill and John S. Holman

Suggested Learning/Teaching Activities

• Discussion
• Demonstration

Suggested Assessment Methods

• Tests

MOLE CONCEPT FORMULAE AND CHEMICAL REACTIONS

THEORY

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit, the trainee should be able to: define the terms mole, molar solution and standard solution

1. write balanced chemical equations
2. explain the process of oxidation and reduction
3. apply redox reactions to corrosion/reduction of ores
4. explain the role of h2o in ionization

Content

• Definition of terms
• Chemical equations
• Oxidation/Reduction
• Application of redox reactions
• The role of water in ionization

Competences

Ability to:

• Explain the process of oxidation/reduction
• Apply redox reactions to corrosion/reduction of ores
• Perform experiment on electrolysis of water

Suggested Teaching/ Learning Resources

• Modern inorganic chemistry by F. Liptrot
• Chemistry in context by Graham Hill and John S. Holman

Suggested Learning/Teaching Methods

• Assessments
• Written tests
• Discussion
• Lab experiments on electrolysis of H20

ACIDS, BASES AND SALTS

THEORY

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit, the trainee should be able to:

1. define the terms acid, base and salt and ph
2. explain the strength of acids and bases
3. explain the properties of acids, bases and salts
4. describe the preparation of a given salt

Content

• Definition of terms
• Strength of acids and Bases
• Properties of Acids, Bases and salts
• Preparation of a given salt

Competences

Ability to:

• Determine the degree of acidity basicity of a given substance
• Perform Acid/base titrations in the laboratory

Suggested Learning Resources

• Modern inorganic chemistry by F. Liptrot.
• Chemistry in context

Suggested Learning/Teaching Methods

• Discussion
• Lab experiment
• Demonstration of acid base titration
• Written tests

HARDNESS OF WATER

THEORY

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit, the trainee should be able to:

1. Explain the terms hard water and soft water
2. Outline the causes of temporary and permanent hardness
3. Explain the process of softening hard water

Content

• Meaning of hard water and soft water
• Causes of hardness in water
• Process of softening hard water

Competences

Ability to:

• Differentiate between hard and soft water
• Identify the causes of temporary and permanent hardness of water
• Soften hard water

Suggested Learning Resources

• Modern inorganic chemistry F. Liptrot O.
• Chemistry in context edition by Graham Hill and John S. Holman

POLYMERS

THEORY

Specific Objectives

By the end of the topic sub-unit, the trainee should be able to:

1. define terms used in polymerization
2. explain the types of polymerization
3. differentiate between natural and synthetic polymers
4. explain disposal of polymers

Content

• Definition of terms:monomers,polymers and polymerization
• Types of polymers:natural and synthetic
• Disposal of polymers

Competences

Ability to: Distinguish between natural and synthetic polymers

• Observe safe disposal methods

Suggested Learning Resources

• Textbooks
• Charts
• Realia
• Materials i.e.plastics and wood

Suggested Teaching/Learning Methods

• Discussion
• Field trips
• Demonstration

NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY

THEORY

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit the trainee should be able to:

1. define radioactivity
2. explain the nature of radioactivity
3. outline a given radioactive decay services
4. state the application of radio isotopes
5. apply the principles of radio activity in non-destructive testing

Content

• Meaning of radioactivity
• Nature of radioactivity
• Radioactivity decay services
• Application of radio isotopes
• Apply the principles of radioactivity in non-destructive testing

Competence

Ability to:

• apply the principles of radioactivity in non-destructive testing

Suggested Learning Resources

• Modern inorganic chemistry by F. Liptrot
• Charts
• Internet
• Newspapers and magazines

Suggested Learning/Teaching Methods

• Discussion
• Demonstration
• Field visits

Suggested Assessment Methods

• Written tests
• Oral test

OPTICS

THEORY

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit, the trainee should be able to:

1. describe the nature of light
2. state the laws of reflection and refraction
3. describe types of mirrors and images formed
4. describe dispersion of light
5. operate optical instruments

Content

• Nature of light
• Laws of reflection
• Laws of refraction
• Types of mirrors:plane and curved
• Dispersion of light by fluids,prisms and rectangular blocks
• Optical instruments:cameras
• projector:magnifying glass

Competence

Ability to:

• use common optical instrument

Suggested Learning Resources

• Textbooks
• Internet
• Optical instrument

Suggested Learning/Teaching Methods

• Discussion
• Lectures
• Demonstration

SOUND

THEORY

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit, the trainee should be able to:

1. describe the sources of sound
2. describe how sound is propagated
3. explain the production of sound

Content

• Sources of sound
• Propagation of sound in air,liquids and sounds
• Production of sound:pitch,loudness and intensity

Competence

Ability to:

• regulate sound in the site

Suggested Learning Resources

• Textbooks
• Internet

MECHANICS

THEORY

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit the trainee should be able to:

1. describe type of forces
2. define moments
3. apply principles of circular motion

Content

• Types of forces:Varying,Uniformly distributed and Concentrated
• Moments
• Principle of moments
• Circular motion

Competences

Ability to:

• Distinguish the type of forces
• Apply principle of moments
• Apply principles of circular motion

Suggested Learning Resources

• Internet
• Textbooks