Class Chemistry and Physics Applied to Civil Protection

This course unit is fundamental within the Civil Protection Bachelor's program, in the field of applied physical and chemical sciences. It operates in the areas of risk prevention and assessment, providing essential foundations to understand matter behavior, chemical hazards, and physical phenomena such as heat transfer and mechanics. It supports critical reading of safety data sheets, analysis of reagents, and interpretation of physical processes, playing a key role in preparing students for risk assessment, emergency response planning, and intervention in hazardous environments.

Not applicable

Matter: Substances, mixtures and states of matter. Atoms, molecules and ions. The periodic table. Gaseous state: Gas laws. The ideal gas equation. Dalton's law of partial pressures. Kinetic theory. Chemical bonding: Lewis notation. Bond types. Intermolecular forces. Inorganic nomenclature. Chemical reactions: Concentration units. Chemical equations. Stoichiometry. Acid-base and oxidation-reduction reactions. Elementary notions of organic chemistry: Hydrocarbons, nomenclature and structural representation. The main families of organic compounds. Reactivity of chemical agents: Classification and properties. Label analysis. Safety Data Sheets. Danger symbols. Precautionary and hazard statements. REACH and CLP regulations. Mechanics: Vectors. Kinematics. Newton's laws of motion. Statics. Rigid body dynamics. Friction. Centre of mass. Collisions. Heat transfer phenomena: Conduction, convection and radiation. Thermal properties. Energy balances in transit.

This course unit integrates active methodologies such as Problem-Based Learning, Flipped Classroom, and Jigsaw, applied in practical and lab settings with group work, self-assessment, and peer review. Tools like Moodle, PHET, and SPSS are used. Linking prior knowledge with practical application supports learning consolidation and early identification of difficulties, with enhanced support during tutorial sessions. Group work encourages independent research and connections to other fields. Continuous assessment and in-class tests help maintain motivation and track student progress.

Burke, R. (2017). Hazardous Materials Chemistry for Emergency Responders (3.rd Ed), CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton, Florida, EUA. ISBN 9781138074651. Chang, R.; Overby, J. (2018). Chemistry (13th Ed.). McGraw-Hill. ISBN-978-1259911156 Houghton, R.; Bennet, W. (2023). Emergency Characterization of Unknown Materials, CRC Press. ISBN-978-0367639082. O Regulamento (CE) n.º 1907/2006 , relativo ao registo, avaliação, autorização e restrição dos produtos químicos (Regulamento REACH) e o Regulamento (CE) n.º 1272/2008 , relativo à classificação, rotulagem e embalagem de substâncias e misturas (Regulamento CLP) (http://www.reachhelpdesk.pt/). Schmiermund, T. (2018) The Chemistry Knowledge for Firefighters. Springer Smith, J. M., Swihart, M., Van Ness e Abbott, M. (2019). Introdução à termodinâmica da engenharia química, 8ª ed. LTC – Livros Técnicos e Científicos Editora. Young, Hugh D. (2008). Física / Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freddman - 12.ª ed.. São Paulo: Pearson.