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Physics 101 (560.101)

As one of the most fundamental of the natural sciences, physics gives a unique insight into natural phenomena and the workings of the world around us. It provides a basic appreciation of the science underlying technologies, both old and new.

This unit has been designed specifically for the first-year engineering course. Engineering attributes formed in the unit are the ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals and the ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution. The emphasis of the lectures is on developing a sound understanding of the underlying physical principles of engineering 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.

Topics covered include the following:

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; 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; 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); elastic moduli.

Quantum Physics: Principles of quantum mechanics: matter waves, uncertainty principle, energy quantisation, probability amplitudes, experimental evidence (blackbody radiation, atomic spectra, Compton scattering, photoelectric effect, electron diffraction). Atomic physics: Bohr model, quantum numbers, spin, Pauli exclusion principle, periodic table, X-rays. Quantum phenomena in molecules and solids: tunnelling, energy levels, free electron model, Fermi energy.

Lectures: 3 hrs per week; problem class: 1 hr per week; labs: 2 hrs per week

Unit Co-ordinator: Dr P. Hammond

Prerequisites: TEE Physics or its equivalent. Proficiency in calculus is assumed. A knowledge of Chemistry to Year 12-level is desirable. Concurrent enrolment or a previous pass in required first-year Mathematics is assumed.