This module introduces the student to the basic ideas of mechanics, strength of materials, heat, sound, waves, vibrations and optics. This module aims to provide the students with a good conceptual understanding of basic physical principles.
Lecture
- Measurement. Uncertainty and accuracy. Units, symbols, equations.
- Mechanics: Force as a vector. Velocity, acceleration. Newton’s Laws. Work, energy, power, momentum and impulse.
- Strength of materials. Measuring force. Force and materials – stress / strain curves.
- Optics: Wave nature of light. Reflection, refraction and dispersion of light. Total internal reflection-application to glass and plastic optical fibres.
- Sound. Vibrations, waves. Damping and resonance. Velocity of sound in different media. Intensity of sound. The decibel scale.
- Heat: Quantity of heat. Specific heat capacity, specific latent heat . Temperature scales. Thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, U-values and thermal insulation. Convection, conduction and radiation.
- Electromagnetic spectrum. Radio waves, UV, infra-red, visible, X-ray and gamma radiation.
Laboratory
The students will carry out a series of assignments in order to reinforce the practical implications of their theory classes. Each assignment will consist of a review of the theory, practical experimentation, recording of results, and a short report. A suggested assignment list is:
- Introduction to laboratory:
(a) Safety, and record keeping,
(b) The scientific method, and instruments.
- Mechanics: Force, energy, power, potential energy, kinetic energy. Measuring stress and strain.
- Heat. Temperature scales and devices, heat transfer, U-values, thermal expansion, specific heat capacity, latent heat, thermal conduction.
- Nature of waves (mechanical, and sound): SHM, vibrations, resonance, damping, phase difference, frequency and periodic time.
- Nature of light: Light waves, EM spectrum, polarised light, inverse square law, focal length, reflection, refraction, lasers, safeguards with laser based equipment.
This module is delivered as a course of lectures, complemented by tutorials/assignments in the physics laboratory. The students will also perform a series of relevant experiments/assignments in the physics laboratory.
36 contact hours, including six 2-hour laboratory sessions.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 70 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 30 |