This module is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of Physics in the areas of Thermal Physics, Electricity and Magnetism. 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.
The aim of this module is to provide the student with a basis in Physics in the areas specified, to enable them to work with standard physical laws and measurements. On successful completion of it the learner should be able to explain relevant terminology and associated concepts, perform calculations, solve problems, apply concepts to new problems. They should be able to plan and perform experiments, collect data, analyse data, present results.
Thermal Physics
• Temperature and Thermal Equilibrium,
• Thermometers and Temperature Scales,
• Thermal Expansion,
• Quantity of Heat,
• Heat Capacity,
• Calorimetry and phase changes,
• Mechanisms of Heat Transfer,
• Equations of State, Ideal Gas Equation.
Electricity
• The nuclear atom, Bohr postulates,
• One electron atom, The Hydrogen spectrum,
• Coulombs Law,
• The Electric Field,
• Field Lines and Gauss’s Law,
• Applications of Gauss’s Law,
• Electrostatic Shielding,
• Electric Potential,
• Potential Energy,
• Capacitors,
• Energy stored in capacitors,
• Capacitors in series and parallel,
• Current and Resistivity,
• Resistance,
• Ohm’s Law,
• Electromotive Force,
• Resistors in series and parallel,
• Resistor networks and Kirchoff’s rules.
Magnetism
• Magnetic Fields and field lines,
• e/m experiment,
• Magnetic force on a conductor,
• Magnetic field of a moving charge,
• Force between parallel conductors,
• Magnetic field of a circular loop,
• Ampere’s law and its applications,
• Electromagnetic induction,
• Faraday’s law and its applications.
The programme laboratory programme will include experiments taken from the list below or equivalent experiments may be used
• find the s.h.c. of brass and a piece of stone,
• find the efficiency of a kettle using a thermocouple,
• Investigate resistivity,
• Build a parallel plate capacitor with a capacitance and determine the dielectric constant of paper,
• Investigate of the applicability of Ohm's law for various devices,
• Investigate electromagnetic
The delivery is a mixture of traditional lectures and peer-instruction with aligned small group tutorials and laboratory sessions
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 60 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 40 |