Admission requirements
There are no strict requirements, but prior knowledge in Analysis and Statistical Physics are relevant.
Description
This course provides an introduction to Soft Matter Physics through the prism of fluid phenomena. From sand dunes to living cells, Soft Matter Physics rationalizes the complex behaviours of matter from the micro-scale to the macro-scale. With a focus on fundamental fluid phenomena such as viscous flows and capillarity, the course will introduce a variety of Soft Matter systems and the quantitative tools used to describe them. Throughout the course, we will peek at current research which build on these fundamental concepts.
In this course, you will learn to question and explain properties of a variety of common yet complex materials: from simple to complex fluids, from microscopic details to macroscopic behaviours.
Specific topics are:
Navier-Stokes equations
Simple fluids hydrodynamics
Viscosity and viscous flows
Capillary phenomena Along the course, you will also explore recent advances in Soft Matter Physics, notably in the fields of microfluidics and active matter.
Course objectives
On completing this course, you will know how to:
derive the dynamics equations for fluids, describe fluid flows at various scales, study bulk and interfacial fluid phenomena
perform dimensional analysis to make quantitative predictions, discuss scaling
read and analyze a research article
Transferrable skills:
formulate your own approach to solve a problem, divided into multiple subsequent steps.
critically apply your knowledge to complex situations
Schedule
The timetables are available through My Timetable (see the button in the upper right corner).
Teaching method
Lectures and exercise classes.
For more informations see Brightspace
Assesment method
Written examination with short questions (100 %)
A bonus of up to ½ point rewards active participation to the Exercise classes.
Resit, review & feedback
Examinations are held twice during the academic year for each component offered in that academic year. Midterm tests cannot be retaken. The Board of Examiners determines the manner of resit for practical assignments.
For review and feedback, see Brightspace.
Reading list
The following textbook is recommended to deepen the materials covered during the lectures: Physical Hydrodynamics – Etienne Guyon, Jean-Pierre Hulin, Luc Petit & Catalin D. Mitescu (Oxford University Press, edition 2015), ISBN 978-0-19-870245-0 (pbk.)
It can be accessed online through Leiden University Library website.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap (button in upper right corner) is mandatory. General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer(s) (listed in the right information bar).
Remarks
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.