L T P S J C

PHYS1311 ESSENTIAL PHYSICS FOR BIOENGINEERING

3 0 2 0 0 4

Pre-requisite None

Co-requisite None

Preferable Exposure None

Course Description:
This course offers a foundational understanding of essential physics principles relevant to the field of bioengineering. Covering
classical mechanics, classical electromagnetic theory, optics, quantum mechanics, and radiation physics, students will gain the
necessary knowledge to apply physical principles to biological systems

Course Educational Objectives:

• Understand classical mechanics concepts to analyze forces in biological systems, such as the human body and other
organisms
• Understand Maxwell’s equations and their significance in describing electromagnetic fields.
• Understand wave optics phenomena such as interference, diffraction, polarization and Lasers
• Understand the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics
• Understand ionizing, non-ionizing radiation types , and their interactions with biological systems, their significance in
radiation physics and health sciences

MODULE 1 CLASSICAL MECHANICS 12 Hrs

Newtonian mechanics. Motion in the presence of friction. Forced oscillators- Introduction to harmonic oscillators, Forced
harmonic oscillations and resonance, Amplitude response to external forces, Applications in vibrating systems and biological
oscillations. Application of Newtonian mechanics to biological systems. Analysis of forces in the human body and other
organisms.

MODULE 2 CLASSICAL ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY 12 Hrs

Basic Introduction- Coulomb interaction between particles (molecules, bodies) in a vacuum, and in a polarizable medium.
Charge conservation. Magnetostatics, Faraday’s laws, Displacement current. Maxwell’s equations.

MODULE 3 OPTICS 12 Hrs

Electromagnetic waves. Geometric optics and Wave optics. Coherence. Lasers. Refraction of light, Snell’s law, refractive index,
Abbe’s refractometer. Propagation of light in waveguides. Microscope, Resolution. Phase contrast and Interference contrast
microscopes. Polarization of light, optical activity, and its measurement.

MODULE 4 QUANTUM MECHANICS 12 Hrs

Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Postulates of quantum mechanics. Wave-particle duality. Wave packets. Group and phase
velocities. Schrodinger equation for non-relativistic particles. Spin magnetic moment and spin angular momentum. Pauli spin
matrices. Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for a particle in a 1D box. Energy level diagrams of atoms, molecules, metals, and
semiconductors (qualitative).

MODULE 5 RADIATION PHYSICS 12 Hrs

Photoelectric effect. Compton Effect. Pair production. Properties and Characteristics of X-rays. Non-Ionizing radiation: UV, IR,
Microwave & Radio waves, their characteristics, interactions & implications in biosystems. General properties of α, β, and g
radiation. Units of measurement of radioactivity and exposure (Curie, Becquerel, Roentgen, dose Rad, Gray, Dose equivalent).

(c) - page 1 of 3
List of Experiments
S.no Topic Type
1 Basic principles of measurement and errors Experiment
2 Compound and simple pendulum Experiment
3 To determine the refractive index of a glass/quartz prism using spectrometer. Experiment
4 To determine the refractive index of a liquid using hollow prism. Experiment
5 To determine Cauchy’s Constants using a prism and spectrometer. Experiment
6 Biotsavarts experiment Experiment
7 Damped mechanical oscillator Experiment
8 Determination of the efficiency of the alpha detector. Experiment
9 To determine the gamma ray absorption coefficient of a given materials Experiment
10 To study the Plateau-characteristics using GM counter with different materials (sources) Experiment
11 To study the Plateau-characteristics of a given source using GM counter at different distances. Experiment
Textbook(s):
1. M N Avadhanulu, P G Kshirsagar & TVS Arun Murthy, A Textbook of Engineering Physics, 11, S Chand Publishing,India,
2018 , 9789352833993
2. Sarah Baatout, Radiobiology Textbook (Open access) , Springer Cham, 2024 ,978-3-031-18812-1
3. Vernon Barger and Martin Olsson, Classical Mechanics: A Modern Perspective, 2, McGraw-Hill Education, 1995
,978-0070037342
4. John R. Taylor , Classical Mechanics, University Science Books,U.S., 2004 ,978-1891389207

Reference(s):
1. Ervin B. Podgorsak , Radiation Physics for Medical Physicists , 2018 ,9783319797816
2. Ajoy Ghatak , Optics , 7th, 2020 ,978-9390113590

Course Outcomes:
1. Students will be able to understand the application of classical mechanics concepts to analyze and understand the forces
acting within biological systems
2. Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in understanding and applying Maxwell’s equations to describe
electromagnetic phenomena
3. Students will be able to understand geometric optics principles to analyze the reflection and refraction of light, applications
of lasers in biomedical engineering, such as in diagnostics and therapeutics
4. Students will be able to demonstrate a solid understanding of key principles of quantum mechanics and their implications
5. Students will be able to understand the properties and applications of X-rays, radioactivity and non-ionizing radiation in
medical imaging

Course Articulation Matrix:

POs PSOs

CO 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1 2 3 4

1 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 1

2 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 1

3 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 1

4 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 1

5 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 1

(c) - page 2 of 3
3 – High, 2 – Medium & 1 – Low Correlation

APPROVED IN MEETINGS HELD ON:

BOS : 02-02-2024 Academic Council Number: 27 Academic Council : 06-07-2023

SDG No(s). & Statement(s) :

4 & Quality Education : Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for
all.Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
9 & Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure : Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and
foster innovation.

SDG Justification(s):
SDG 4: The modules and topics mentioned in this course are designed to ensure all-inclusive and thorough education with
equity to all persons and always promote learning opportunities. SDG 9: The modules and topics mentioned in this course are
designed to ensure the scientists build resilient infrastructure which promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and
foster innovation.

(c) - page 3 of 3