Students are able to

• explain qualitatively the different mechanisms of global warming,
• explain qualitatively the different principles of energy generation and storage
• differentiate between the different classes of materials also in respect to recycling issues
• list the main difficulties linked to the decrease of fossil fuel resources, for the production of every-day products

None

In this module, students acquire the basics in physics, chemistry, geology, geophysics and materials science.
Part 1: Natural Sciences for Green Transition Engineers

• What is energy?
• The structure of matter: atoms and molecules (incl. chemical bonds and atomic/molecular vibration spectrums), nuclear fission and fusion, alpha-, beta- and gamma radiations (incl. effects on the human body)
• Solid-state physics: structure and physical properties of metals, ceramics, polymers and semiconductors, working principle of LEDs and solar panels
• Heat: conduction, convection and radiation (incl. black body radiation & thermal equilibrium), albedo
• Thermodynamics: first and second law (entropy), Carnot cycle, latent heat, working principle of combustion engines, heat pumps, and refrigerators, losses and efficiency
• Electromagnetics: electric and magnetic fields, electric current & power, electromagnetic waves (what is light? What are Infrared and UV radiations?), induction & the Lorentz force (working principle of electrical motors, comparison to combustion engines)
• Geophysics: a brief history of the earth, continental drift, Sun-Earth-Moon system, seasons, tides, Gulf Stream and El Nino, the atmosphere (evolution, composition), origin and formation of petroleum, exploration and extraction of petroleum, Petroleum-based products, production peak and consequences of a rarefaction of petroleum resources

• Sun-Earth System, thermal equilibrium and computation of the average temperature of the Earth, withoutatmosphere
• IR absorption & Green House effect (i.e., IR absorption and reemission), computation of the average temperature of the Earth, withatmosphere depending on various parameters (e.g., sun temperature and diameter, distance sun-earth, earth diameter and albedo, IR absorption by the atmosphere)
• Green House gases incl. H2O, CO2, etc. Why do they absorb IR? (molecular vibrations)
• CO2 cycle(s) incl. ocean absorption, anthropogenic emission of greenhouse gases, estimation of the effect of a doubling of CO2 concentration on the earth average temperature (Arrhenius model)
• Discussion and critical analysis: comparison between model predictions and measurements over the last decades, centuries, millennia and millions of years, model limitations and uncertainties (incl. measurement techniques and biases, system complexity, effect of clouds and oceans, CO2 saturation effect, solar activity variations, Milankovitch cycles), positive and negative feed-backs
• IPCC models, predictions, recommendations and targets

Krauss L.M.: The Physics of Climate Change, Post Hill Press, 2021
Shankar R.: Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics, Relativity, and Thermodynamics, Expanded Edition, Yale University Press, 2019
Meschede D.: Gerthsen Physik, 25. Auflage, Springer, 2015

• Lectures
• Presentation
• Interactive discussions and debates
• Blended learning

Integrated module examination
Final examination character: Presentation, written exam