Course overview
The aim of this course is to develop the students' knowledge and understanding of the basic laws and principles of physics, their practical applications and to develop an appreciation of how these laws and principles operate in experimental and applied physics. This includes: Mechanics: motion in 1 and 2 dimensions, laws of motion, circular motion, work and energy, potential energy, rotational motion, linear and angular momentum, static equilibrium, elasticity, oscillatory motion; Mechanical Waves: wave motion, sound, superposition and standing waves; Optics: nature of light, laws of geometrical optics, interference, diffraction and polarisation; Thermodynamics: temperature, heat and 1st law of thermodynamics, heat engines, entropy and 2nd law of thermodynamics. Practical Component: The practical component emphasises the basic skills required in the experimental study of physical systems. Topics covered include basic laboratory instrumentation, basic measurement theory, computer literacy and experiments in lasers and optics, mechanics, waves and oscillations, basic electronics. Workshop Component: Interactive group problem solving, computer literacy, selected topic reinforcement.
Course learning outcomes
- Reduce physical relationships and observations to formulae.
- Describe clearly in writing and discuss orally, the laws, principles and theories covered in the syllabus.
- Competently operate a range of equipment including basic diagnostic, computer-based systems and specialty apparatus, and demonstrate an understanding of the underlying principles of operation of the equipment.
- Efficiently produce detailed scientific reports reflecting professional practices, standards and expectations.
- Accurately perform related computations and apply logical physical arguments in the solution of practical problems.