This module is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of Physics in the areas of Mechanics, Properties of Matter and Modern Physics. The learning of the student will be enhanced in the lecture programme through the introduction of appropriate examples and applications relevant to the field of study of the students. A laboratory element is included to support the theoretical material and to develop the laboratory skills of the student.
Mechanics
Parameters of motion, Motion in a line with uniform acceleration, Vector addition and subtraction, Free fall,
Motion in a plane, Projectile motion, Uniform circular motion, kinematics, Linear momentum, Newton's laws of motion, Fundamental forces, Contact forces, friction, Particle equilibrium, Free-body diagrams, Uniform circular motion, dynamics, Action at a distance, Gravitation, Newtonian relativity, Work, energy, power, Conservation of energy, Simple Harmonic Motion, Impulse and Linear momentum, Conservation of momentum, Two-body, head-on collisions, Elastic and inelastic collisions.
Properties of Matter
Solids, Stress, Strain, Elasticity, Hooke’s Law and Young’s Modulus, Elastic Energy, Hysteresis.
Fluids
Pressure and Pressure Measurement, Buoyancy and Archimedes’ Principle, Hydraulics, Surface Tension and Surface Energy, Capillarity, Viscosity.
Modern Physics
The nuclear atom, Bohr postulates, One electron atom, The Hydrogen spectrum., Wave-particle duality,
Development of nuclear physics, Nuclear particles, isotopes., Radioactive decay, alpha, beta and gamma particles, Law of radioactive decay, Introduction to fission and fusion, Detection of nuclear radiation, Geiger Counter operation.
Laboratory
A typical laboratory programme may include experiments taken from the list below or equivalent
experiments may be used:
Acceleretion due to gravity
Simple pendulum
Hooke’s Law
Newton’s Second law of Motion
Viscosity of a liquid
Learning will be through a mixture of conventional lectures, laboratory work, tutorials and self learning
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 40 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 60 |