Introduction to Continuum Physics

The course unit is designed to provide the basics of a macroscopic description of continuous media, together with necessary tools such as tensor calculus.

After attending the course unit, the student will possess the following set of knowledge and skills:
1) Knowledge of macroscopic behavior of matter treated as a continuum within a field theory;
2) Use of tools such as tensor calculus and dimensionless numbers as well as analytical methods for the description of continuous media;
3) Use of mechanics and thermodynamics concepts necessary to continuum dynamics;
4) Knowledge of basic properties, laws and phenomena concerning ideal and real (viscous) fluids and for visco-elasto-plastic solids;
5) Knowledge of basic properties, laws and phenomena concerning heat transport in continuous media;
6) Knowledge of application examples in geophysical, astrophysical and laboratory continuous media.