PHYS1101 Advanced Physics A [UG]
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| Credit: 6 points Availability: Semester 1 (See Timetable) Old unit code: 560.101 | |
| Outcomes: This unit develops the foundations of physics. It is required for students intending to major in Physics and suitable for students undertaking the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Engineering combined degree and for engineering students. It is also suitable for students majoring in other subjects who desire a strong physics background. The emphasis of the lectures is on developing a sound understanding of the underlying physical principles with reference to a range of applications. The lectures are complemented by a series of laboratory tasks designed to develop and reinforce understanding of physical principles and measurement. Regular problem classes foster skills in problem identification and solution. Achievement of these attributes is assessed continuously in the laboratory classes and through problem class tests. An end-of-semester written examination assesses overall comprehension of the basic science covered in the unit. | |
| Content: Topics include: Waves and optics—harmonic oscillations (energy conservation, forced oscillations, resonance); wave properties (energy flow, reflection, refraction, superposition); mechanical waves (sinusoidal waves, standing waves); sound waves (speed, Doppler effect, beats); light waves (refractive index, reflection, dispersion); interference (double slit, phasors, thin films, gratings); diffraction (single slit, circular aperture); polarised light; optical instruments; and resolution. Electricity and magnetism—flux and Gauss' law; electric field and potential; potential energy; capacitance; dielectrics; energy density; electric current (but not circuit theory); magnetic field; Lorentz force; magnetic moment; torque on a dipole; Biot-Savart law; Ampere's law; fields of wires and solenoids; and induction. Thermodynamics—heat and properties of matter: temperature and the zeroth law; heat, work and the first law of thermodynamics; entropy and the second law; low temperatures and the third law; kinetic theory of gases (heat capacities of ideal gases, equipartition, speed distribution function); and elastic moduli. Quantum physics—experimental evidence for the failure of classical mechanics: blackbody radiation, Compton scattering, photoelectric effect, electron diffraction. Atomic physics—Bohr model, quantum numbers, atomic spectra. Principles of quantum mechanics—matter waves, uncertainty principle, energy quantisation. | |
| Assessment: This comprises an examination (50 per cent), two tests during semester (30 per cent), laboratories (12 per cent) and assignments (8 per cent). Supplementary assessment is available for those students who obtain a mark of 45 to 49 inclusive in this unit (see University General Rule 1.2.1.25). | |
| Unit Co-ordinator(s): Dr Peter Hammond | |
| Location: UWA (Crawley) | |
| Mode: on-campus | |
Unit Rules: | |
| Prerequisites: TEE Physics; proficiency in calculus is assumed. Concurrent enrolment or a previous pass in MATH1010 Calculus and Linear Algebra is required for students intending to major in Physics. | |
| Advisable prior study: TEE Chemistry, TEE Calculus | |
| Incompatibility: PHYS1141 General Physics A and PHYS1142 General Physics B | |
| Contact hours—lectures: 3 hrs per week; problem-based learning classes: 1 hr per week; labs: 2 hrs per week | |
Assistance with study skills, including English language skills, is available free of charge from Student Services for all enrolled students (see http://www.studysmarter.uwa.edu.au/). Student Services location: Second Floor, South Wing, Guild Village; telephone: 6488 2423. | |
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