Environmental Physics
- Sciences
- 400 level
- 3 credit units
- 86 pages
- 6 units
This course on Environmental Physics (PHY 457) explores the physics behind environmental problems and their potential solutions. It covers energy resources, atmospheric properties, remote sensing, and satellite technology. Students will learn about air, water, and thermal pollution sources, as well as the impact of energy generation on the environment. The course also examines the role of satellites in environmental monitoring and the influence of space weather on global climate. Cost-benefit analysis for environmental policies is also discussed.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 40 hours
- Maths
- Intermediate
- Content
- Theoretical, problem solving
- Practical work
- No
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- End of Course Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of PHY457, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
PHY457 · UNIT 1 ENERGY RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
The end-of-course examination carries 70% of your total score. The date, time and venue of the examination shall be made known to you in advance. This may or may not coincide with the semester examination of the National Open University of Nigeria. You must sit for the end-of- course examination.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the sources and effects of different types of environmental pollution.
- Describe the structure and composition of the Earth's atmosphere.
- Apply remote sensing techniques to environmental monitoring.
- Analyze satellite orbits using two-body and many-body system models.
- Discuss the causes and consequences of global warming and ozone depletion.
- Evaluate environmental management strategies and cost-benefit analyses.
What it prepares you for
- Environmental Consultant
- Remote Sensing Analyst
- Climate Change Analyst
- Sustainability Manager
- Environmental Policy Advisor
- Environmental Consulting
- Aerospace
- Government Agencies
- Research Institutions
- Renewable Energy
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Satellite Orbits and Global Weather
Unit 2: Satellite Orbit in a Many-Body Problem
The unit involves complex mathematical formulations and requires a strong foundation in orbital mechanics and celestial mechanics.
- Module 2: Satellite Orbits and Global Weather
Unit 3: Global Weather and Climatic Patterns
Requires understanding of atmospheric composition, thermodynamics, and radiative transfer processes, integrating concepts from various physics disciplines.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 39 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution
Unit 1: Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution · 3 hours
Understand the relationship between physics and the environment.. Identify sources of air, thermal, and chemical pollution.. Describe the environmental impacts of various energy-generating mechanisms..
- Week 2Module 1: Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution
Unit 2: Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere · 3 hours
Describe the properties of the terrestrial atmosphere.. Distinguish between isothermal and adiabatic atmospheres.. Explain the vertical diminution of density with height..
- Week 3Module 1: Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution
Unit 3: Artificial Satellite and Remote Sensing · 3 hours
Describe the Earth's orbit and its significance.. Solve problems related to satellites in circular orbits.. Discuss the principles of remote sensing..
- Week 4Module 2: Satellite Orbits and Global Weather
Unit 1: Satellite Orbits in the Two-Body System · 3 hours
Understand the concept of the two-body problem.. Solve equations of motion in a two-body system.. Relate satellite orbits to conic sections..
- Week 5Module 2: Satellite Orbits and Global Weather
Unit 2: Satellite Orbit in a Many-Body Problem · 3 hours
Write equations of motion for a many-body problem.. Deduce the ten known integrals of motion.. Discuss the significance of the force function..
- Week 6Module 2: Satellite Orbits and Global Weather
Unit 3: Global Weather and Climatic Patterns · 3 hours
Describe the five distinct components of the Earth.. Explain the energy cycle and its impact on weather.. Discuss the greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, and global warming..
- Week 7Module 1: Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution
Unit 1: Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution (Review) · 3 hours
Review key concepts from Module 1: Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution.. Practice solving problems related to energy resources and pollution..
- Week 8Module 1: Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution
Unit 2: Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere (Review) · 3 hours
Review key concepts from Module 1: Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere.. Practice solving problems related to atmospheric properties..
- Week 9Module 1: Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution
Unit 3: Artificial Satellite and Remote Sensing (Review) · 3 hours
Review key concepts from Module 1: Artificial Satellite and Remote Sensing.. Practice solving problems related to satellite orbits and remote sensing techniques..
- Week 10Module 2: Satellite Orbits and Global Weather
Unit 1: Satellite Orbits in the Two-Body System (Review) · 3 hours
Review key concepts from Module 2: Satellite Orbits in the Two-Body System.. Practice solving problems related to two-body systems..
- Week 11Module 2: Satellite Orbits and Global Weather
Unit 2: Satellite Orbit in a Many-Body Problem (Review) · 3 hours
Review key concepts from Module 2: Satellite Orbit in a Many-Body Problem.. Practice solving problems related to many-body systems..
- Week 12Module 2: Satellite Orbits and Global Weather
Unit 3: Global Weather and Climatic Patterns (Review) · 3 hours
Review key concepts from Module 2: Global Weather and Climatic Patterns.. Discuss the impact of human activity on the environment..
- Week 13Final Revision
Final Revision · 3 hours
Comprehensive review of all course materials.. Focus on areas of weakness and difficult concepts.. Prepare for final examinations..
Preparing for the exam
- Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and understand the solutions.
- Create concept maps linking energy resources (Unit 1 Module 1) to pollution types (Units 2-3 Module 2).
- Practice solving numerical problems related to satellite orbits (Units 1-2 Module 2) using relevant formulas.
- Focus on understanding the key processes involved in global weather patterns (Unit 3 Module 2), such as Hadley cells and jet streams.
- Study the definitions and causes of greenhouse effect, ozone layer depletion, and global warming (Unit 3 Module 2).
- Understand the principles of environmental cost-benefit analysis (Unit 3 Module 2) and its application in policy making.
Questions students ask about this course
What is PHY457 about?
This course on Environmental Physics (PHY 457) explores the physics behind environmental problems and their potential solutions. It covers energy resources, atmospheric properties, remote sensing, and satellite technology. Students will learn about air, water, and thermal pollution sources, as well as the impact of energy generation on the environment. The course also examines the role of satellites in environmental monitoring and the influence of space weather on global climate. Cost-benefit analysis for environmental policies is also discussed.
How many units does PHY457 have?
PHY457, Environmental Physics, has 6 units across 2 modules, over 86 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is PHY457?
PHY457 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Sciences.
Is PHY457 hard?
PHY457 is rated intermediate level, with intermediate mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and problem solving work.
How long does PHY457 take to study?
About 40 hours of study, spread across its 6 units.
How is PHY457 assessed?
PHY457 is assessed by Tutor Marked Assignments and End of Course Examination.
What can I do with PHY457?
Environmental Consultant, Remote Sensing Analyst, Climate Change Analyst, Sustainability Manager and Environmental Policy Advisor.