| Unit name | Physics 1E |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHYS10300 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Jaap Velthuis |
| Open unit status | Open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Physics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
This unit is designed for students in biological and earth sciences or for students intending to proceed in medical, dental or veterinary training whose background in physics and mathematics is limited. No calculus is assumed. Lectures cover general physics, waves and optics, electricity and magnetism, thermal physics and structure of matter, atomic and nuclear physics. There is a laboratory class for 3 hours per week and informal tutorial sessions. Students taking Physics 1E cannot normally proceed to other units in Physics.
Aims:
General physics:
The aims of this course are firstly to revise aspects of GCSE maths that will be used frequently later in 1E. Example sheets will be given. Secondly it is is to give a good understanding of basic concepts (e.g. the conservation of energy) and to make clear the way in which they underpin our understanding of this subject.
Waves and optics:
Waves play an important part in our perception of the world about us, sound, light and radio waves convey information to us all the time. This course will give a basic introduction to the physics of waves and how we use them.
Electricity and magnetism:
Electricity and magnetism are at the core of many natural phenomena and a knowledge of them is essential to an understanding of many devices in everyday use - from kettles to computers. This course will give a basic background to this important subject.
Thermal physics and structure of matter:
To introduce the atomic structure and the classical behaviour of atoms. Examine the discovery of the fundamental constituents of the atom and their behaviour. To provide an introduction to macroscopic Thermodynamics and introduce a microscopic understanding of the subject.
Atomic and nuclear physics:
The aim of this course is to cover important developments in 20th century Physics concerning phenomena observed at the atomic and nuclear level. This will involve an introduction to various quantum phenomena and will develop understanding from a purely classical approach.
General Physics:
At the end of this course students should be able to perform GCSE level mathematical calculations involving the mathematical methods described above. Further, students should be able to perform simple calculations (not involving calculus) on the subjects in statics and mechanics listed above; e.g. use the conservation of energy to calculate the distance a body would travel up a slope under friction. The physics is of an A level standard but the associated mathematics is at the GCSE standard. There are many worked examples given in the lecture notes and a good number of sheets of examples for students (these can be discussed in tutorial groups). All exam-type questions are well covered in advance.
Waves and optics:
At the end of this course students should have an understanding of : The nature of waves. Oscillations ('simple harmonic motion'); period and amplitude. Waves; period, amplitude, intensity, wavelength and phase. Transverse and longitudinal waves. Travelling and standing waves. Mechanical waves; strings, sound (and ultrasound) waves. Electromagnetic waves; radio, light and x-rays Properties of waves. The Doppler effect. Interference and diffraction. Reflection and refraction. Polarization. Resonance, harmonics and music. Light rays: mirrors and lenses. The eye and the ear. Colour. Students should be able to perform simple calculations similar to those found in the question sheets which will be distributed.
Electricity and magnetism:
At the end of the course students should be able to perform simple calculations, e.g. the overall resistance of a number of individual resistances connected in series or in parallel, to understand the workings of instruments such as a mass spectrometer, and to plot the magnetic field pattern due to electric currents flowing in two parallel wires.
Thermal physics and structure of matter:
Students should be able to sketch and label a typical atom, explain the effects the four forces of nature have on the atom, and also explain the evidence for the existence of atoms and molecules, describing the experimental discoveries of Rutherford, Thompson and Millikan. An understanding of the different types of chemical bonding and phase changes must also be shown. You should be able to state and apply Boyle's Law, the Ideal gas equation, and the four laws of thermodynamics, and also to solve simple problems involving heat flow and transfer and show an understanding of the kinetic theory of gases and molecules.
Atomic and nuclear physics:
Students will be able to perform simple calculations on atomic and nuclear systems, for instance the wavelength of light emitted during an atomic transition, the electrons emitted when light falls on metal surfaces, and elementary radioactivity problems.
Lectures, laboratory class for 3 hours per session and informal tutorial sessions.
Formative Assessment:
Weekly homework sheets
Summative Assessment:
“Physics for Scientists and Engineers”, Paul A. Tipler & Gene P. Mosca, 6th Edition, ISBN: 9780230226647
