| Unit name | Core Physics I: Classical, Quantum and Thermal Physics |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHYS10012 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Gorman |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Physics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
This unit gives your first introduction to university-level Physics. It provides the underpinnings for all you will learn in future years including specialized options ranging from astro- and particle physics to materials and devices. Some of the topics will be familiar to you, such as classical mechanics, gas laws, waves and oscillations, but here you will treat them with greater rigour and precision. Others should be new and exciting, including elements of quantum mechanics or the meaning of entropy. In this unit you will start your journey towards a deeper understanding of the universe!
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This forms the foundation of core Physics knowledge for the first year that will be built upon with a similar unit in the second year. This contributes to the essential knowledge that all physicists should gain whatever fields you choose to specialise in for your projects and optional units. The knowledge associated with this unit is a key requirement for the accreditation of our Physics programmes by the Institute of Physics.
An overview of content
This unit will build on familiar topics from school, but also start to explore exciting areas of physics outside of your day-to-day experience. The themes are as follows.
· Using mathematics to model, describe and predict phenomena in the real world
· Application of Newton's laws of motion, including forces, friction, and rotation
· Energy and the importance of conservation laws in Physics
· Structure of Matter: Bonding within molecules, inter-atomic/molecular forces and crystal structure
· Mechanical and thermal properties of matter
· 1st and 2nd Laws of thermodynamics, including temperature definition, internal energy, heat capacity, changes of state, heat engines and the Carnot Cycle.
· The simple harmonic oscillator, including damped and forced oscillations
· Coupled oscillators, arrays and wave motion
· Harmonic waves, superposition and standing waves
· Application to simple and paradigmatic systems including spin
· Overview of fundamental particles and forces
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will benefit by developing a strong foundation of Physics knowledge which will be built on throughout the Physics degree. You will learn how to analyse a problem, translate it into the language of Physics and Mathematics, and explore its solutions. Above all, the unit will stimulate you to look at the world as a physicist and train you to think as a physicist.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
The unit is organised through our on-line learning environment (OLE). This is where you will find information about the unit, lecture notes, pre-recorded videos, recordings of lectures and live sessions, access to on-line quizzes and other learning resources.
All sections of the course will include face-to-face teaching, and it is an expectation that you engage with these activities. Learning activities will be split across in-class activities (problems classes) and those around your own private study (for example on-line quizzes, videos, textbooks etc.).
The unit will consist of around 60 hours of content delivery, plus around 30 hours of problem classes, revision classes and workshops to support learning.
Some sessions may require preparation beforehand (“flipped learning”); where these materials are provided, you should aim to spend around one hour of preparation time for one hour of face-to-face teaching. This will allow you to make the most of class discussions and activities.
Problem classes and workshops will be conducted in a range of group sizes, and all will have emphasis on problem-based learning, where you will be able to discuss the problems with others in your group.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
You will have a range of tasks which do not count for assessment but will help you to develop your understanding of physics; there will be online progress quizzes available through the Online Learning Environment (OLE). You will also undertake regular workshops which start with a formative element, allowing you to ask questions of the facilitator as well as working with your group to construct and solve problems and gain verbal feedback.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
The second part of each fortnightly workshop is an assessed task; you will solve the problem within your group and will then submit either an individually written version or a group submission. The coursework grade will be based on the assessed workshop submissions. The workshops will contribute 30% of the final grade for the unit.
You will have an in person examination in the Winter assessment period, covering the first half of the unit material. This will contribute 20% of the unit grade. You will then have an in-person written examination in the Summer covering the whole of the unit; this will contribute 50% of the unit grade.
Assessment breakdown
When assessment does not go to plan
If you do not pass the summer exam you may have the opportunity to take the exam in the next available assessment period.* You should contact the Senior Tutor if you think your assessment might not be going to plan, and you can discuss with your personal tutor for support. If you feel your examinations have been affected by any exceptional circumstances, you must contact the Senior Tutor before the advertised cut-off date.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHYS10012).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
