Biophysics and Physical Medicine

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Lecturing, demonstrating, discussion and practical problem resolution.

Learning Outcomes

- Apply physical concepts and methods to situations of interest in Dental Medicine and Biomedicine.

- To interpret and explain phenomena with interest in Dentistry and Biomedicine based on the scientific method, physical modeling and mathematical calculation.

- To analyze critically the results of problems.

- Make correct use physical quantities and units in explaining phenomena and solving concrete problems.

- Estimate orders of magnitude, intuit results and better understand the use of the methods and techniques of dentistry from simple considerations based on physical concepts. 

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Unit Systems. Vector Calculus.

Classical Mechanics. Newton's laws. Friction. Linear momentum. Center of mass. Linear and rotation motions. Angular velocity and acceleration. Torque. Force couples. Angular momentum. Moment of Inertia. Equilibrium of the rigid body. Conservation of linear momentum. Conservation of angular momentum.

Dental Mechanics. Concepts and examples of application of classical mechanics in dental medicine. 

Deformations. Elasticity. Hooke's laws. Characterization of different types of deformation.

States of Matter and their physical characterization. Cystalline and amorphous solids. Rigidity. Fluids. Viscosity. Surface tension.

X-rays in dental medicine. Production of X-rays. Working principle of an X-ray tube and related technical aspects. Interaction of radiation with matter. Linear attenuation coefficient. Image formation processes in Dental Medicine Imaging. Ortopantomography and Cone-beam CT. 

Head Lecturer(s)

Nuno David Sousa Chichorro Fonseca Ferreira

Assessment Methods

Final Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Continuous Assessment
Mini Tests: 100.0%

Bibliography

- J. J. Pedroso de Lima, "Introdução à Mecânica e a Outros Temas de Medicina Dentária", Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra, 1999;

- Paul Tipler, Gene Mosca, “Physics for Scientists and Engineers” (Vol. 1 - Mecânica), Ed.: W.H. Freeman, 2007

- Hyperphysics, Hypermaths (internet: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/).