The module introduces the student to some of the fundamental concepts of scientific notation & measurement, mechanics, waves, optics, thermal physics, electricity, and nuclear physics. It also introduces them to experimental physics in the form of a set of experiments performed in the laboratory which are related to the lecture material
Topics to be covered from the following:
Thermal Physics
Temperature, temperature scales, thermal expansion, heat capacity, phase changes, latent heat of melting & vaporisation, heat transfer, conduction, convection, radiation, evaporation, saturated vapours, ideal gases. Temperature regulation in humans. Application to food science.
Electricity & Magnetism
Electricity & magnetism: Conductors, insulators, current, voltage, resistance, charge, electrical circuits, Ohm’s law, resistors in series & parallel, resistivity, heating, non-ohmic devices, Coulomb’s law, static electricity, electric fields, dipoles, electric potential & electrical energy, power, magnetism, magnetic poles, Earth’s magnetic field, electromagnets, magnetic fields from a wire and a solenoid. Mass spectrometer.
Waves, Sound & Light
Waves: Transverse & longitudinal waves, wavelength, amplitude, frequency, speed, phases, sound waves, speed of sound, variation of speed of sound with temperature, infrasound & ultrasound, standing waves, resonance, reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, decibel scale, beats.
Atomic & Nuclear
Structure of the atom, nucleons, isotopes, atomic number & mass, mass & energy conversion, unstable nuclei & radioactive decay, emission spectra of atoms, energy levels, photons, alpha-, beta- & gamma-decay, radon gas, law of radioactive decay, half-life, carbon dating, shielding, attenuation coefficient, inverse square law, range of particles, use of radioactive isotopes in industry, medicine & food preservation.
Optics
Specular & diffuse reflection, law of reflection, refractive index, refractive index, Snells’law, real & apparent depth, total internal reflection, critical angle, optical fibres, real & virtual images, converging & diverging lenses, ray diagrams, thin lens equation, magnifying glass, compound microscope, power of a lens, spherical mirrors, electromagnetic spectrum. Applications in industry and health science.
Mechanics
Mechanics: Motion, speed & velocity, acceleration, kinematic equations, force, Newton’s second law, weight, kinetic & potential energy, conservation of energy, pressure and pressure as a function of depth, buoyancy, surface tension & surfactants, infant respiratory distress syndrome, fluid flow, Bernoulli effect, Poiseuille’s law.
Experiments will be taken from the following list:
- Introductory density experiment
- Experiments with a helical spring
- The simple pendulum
- Measurement of the acceleration due to gravity (Free Fall Method)
- Newton’s second law of motion
- Specific heat capacity by the method of mixtures
- Specific latent heat of fusion of ice
- Specific heat capacity of a liquid using an electrical method
- Focal lengths of lenses
- Focal length of mirrors
- Determination of the wavelength of sodium light
- Basic experiments in electricity
- Resistivity & temperature coefficient of resistance of copper
- Tungsten filament lamp
- Attenuation of gamma radiation by matter
Inverse square law for gamma radiation
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 50 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 50 |