| CODE | BLH4039 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Scientific Principles for Conservation: Physics 2 | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course | ||||||||
| EQF/MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Conservation and Built Heritage | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit provides the fundamental physics principles essential for the field of art and historical object conservation and restoration. Students will gain a working knowledge of key concepts relating to the structure and behaviour of materials, energy transfer, and analytical techniques used in conservation. Study-Unit Aims: The aims of the study-unit would be to equip students with a practical, foundational understanding of key physics principles and their direct application in the conservation and restoration of art and historical objects. Primary study-unit Aims - To provide a practical, continuation of fundamental physics concepts directly relevant to material science, energy, and analysis in conservation; - To gain working knowledge of how materials behave under physical and environmental stresses. Specific Knowledge Aims The study-unit aims to enable students to: - Understand Material Response: Explain concepts like stress, strain, and Young's modulus to predict how artistic materials (paints, wood, stone) respond to forces and deformations, which is essential for structural stability and repair; - Apply Wave and Sound Principles: Utilise knowledge of sound generation, transmission, and absorption to understand non-destructive testing methods and acoustic environments; - Analyse Light and Interaction: Detail the properties of the electromagnetic spectrum (UV, visible, IR, X-rays) and geometric optics to analyse how light interacts with materials, informing documentation, inspection, and colour analysis; - Grasp Electrostatic Effects: Describe the behaviour of charge and electric fields to understand phenomena like dust attraction and the operation of certain conservation tools; - Evaluate Dating Techniques: Explain the principles and limitations of Carbon-14 dating and other nuclear physics concepts relevant to authenticating and dating organic materials. Overall Objective The overall objective is to bridge the gap between abstract physics theory and the day-to-day challenges faced by restorers, and conservators, and giving them a scientific basis for their professional decisions. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explain the fundamental physical concepts relating to material science, energy, and analysis that underpin conservation and restoration processes; - Identify and describe the different physical and environmental stresses (e.g., temperature changes, humidity, vibration) that impact the integrity of artistic and historical objects. Specific Knowledge Outcomes Students will be able to: • Material Mechanics: - Define and differentiate between the concepts of stress, strain, and Young's modulus; - Predict the general way that common artistic materials (e.g., rigid stone vs. flexible canvas) will deform or fail under structural loads. • Wave and Acoustic Principles: - Describe the principles of sound techniques for object examination (e.g., identifying internal flaws). • Light and Electromagnetic Spectrum: - Identify the different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum and explain the unique properties and applications of each in art analysis. • Electrostatics: - Describe the basic behaviour of electric charge; - Explain the practical consequences of electrostatic effects in conservation, such as he mechanism of dust attraction to surfaces. • Nuclear and Dating Techniques: - Explain the underlying physical principles and limitations of Carbon-14 dating and other nuclear concepts used for authenticating and dating organic materials. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: The study-unit activities are designed to develop a range of practical, analytical, and professional skills essential for working in cultural heritage and conservation. Analytical Skills - Data Handling and Analysis: Record, interpret, and analyse quantitative and qualitative data gathered from experiments, and draw evidence-based conclusions. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualification: First degree as in Bye-Laws. | ||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Paul Xuereb Howard J. Zammit |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2026/7. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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