Principles of Physics:

To provide knowledge and understanding on the fundamental principles of classical physics. To remind students of standard SI units and the role of the vector and scalar representation of physical quantities. To inform students about the motion of particles and solids under different conditions as governed by Newton 's Laws. To discuss the conservation laws on which classical physics is based.

Waves in Physics:

To build on the introductory Principles of Physics component by the exploration of a range of classical physics phenomena broadly linked by the theme "waves".  The component introduces the wave equation and the concepts of angular frequency and wave number which recur throughout Physics.  These basic concepts are repeatedly reinforced by the examples given.  The course also introduces the concepts of superposition and interference, reflection and refraction, diffraction and polarisation primarily through a study of linear optics.

Atoms Molecules and Quanta:

To provide an understanding of the principles underlying elementary quantum theory and their experimental foundation.  To develop quantum principles so that the meaning and the use of the Schrödinger equation can be appreciated.  To instil a knowledge of the shell and orbital structure of atoms, and key effects such as fine structure.  Generally, to provide a broad foundation for further studies of atomic, nuclear and solid state phenomena, and to provide an introduction to spectroscopic notation and angular momentum coupling.

Principles of Physics:

After completing this component, the student should be able to demonstrate through the solution of simple problems: (i) a grounding in the fundamental principles of classical physics (ii) an ability to treat physical problems within a mathematical framework and (iii) to specifically apply these concepts in mechanics.

Waves in Physics:

At the end of this component, the student should be able to (i) analyse simple systems undergoing simple harmonic motion and be able to derive equations describing the motion and expressions for the oscillation frequency; (ii) derive the wave equation for the case of, e.g. waves on a string; (iii) analyse simple waveforms travelling along, e.g. the string; (iv) undertake calculations of frequency shifts arising from the Doppler effect; (v) draw and use ray diagrams for problems in linear optics involving simple lenses, prisms and the like; (vi) know and be able to use the equations describing these ray diagrams; (vii) be able to calculate interference and diffraction patterns arising from, e.g. multiple point sources of light and slits of finite width; (viii) demonstrate an understanding of the working of selected optical instruments; (ix) derive and apply Bragg’s Law for X-ray diffraction; (x) demonstrate an intuitive feel for fundamental and basic properties such as the speed, frequency and wavelength of light; and (xi) be able to work with notations based on f and l and on w and k;.

Atoms Molecules and Quanta:

After completing this component, the student should be able to: (i) state the reasons behind energy quantization in atoms and other physical systems; (ii) describe basic quantum phenomena and atomic structure including fine structure; (iii) recognize the Schrödinger equation and describe in principle how it is solved; (iv) describe the basic rules for coupling two angular momenta in quantum mechanics; (v) deduce atomic electron configurations and describe them using spectroscopic notation; (vi) explain basic results in atomic spectroscopy including selection rules and the atomic hydrogen spectrum; (vii) undertake a higher level course that includes learning explicitly how to solve the Schrödinger equation.

Principles of Physics:

• Space, Time and Mass (3 hours)

   

SI units, multiples and submultiples of units, the units of length, mass and time, c, as a standard speed, dimensions in equations of physics.  Derived units for important physical quantities, orders of magnitude, estimation and significant figures.

• Representation of Physical Quantities (4 hours)

   

Physical quantities represented as scalars and vectors, simple operations involving vector quantities, position as a vector quantity, components, magnitudes and units, rate of change of position and velocity.

• The Usefulness of the Vector Representation (4 hours)

   

The scalar and vector product, the right-hand rule, examples of the use of the vector product, description as a 3x3 determinant and the scalar triple product as the volume of a solid.

• General Kinematics (4 hours)

   

Position, velocity and acceleration, motion with constant acceleration, graphical representation and dealing with infinitesimal changes.

• General Dynamics (5 hours)

   

Newton 's Laws, force and momentum, principle of superposition of forces, frictional forces and the four fundamental forces in nature.

• Conservation Laws (9 hours)

   

Conservative forces, work done, potential and kinetic energy, the electron volt as a unit of energy, conservation of mechanical energy, conservation of momentum, conservation of energy, application to systems of particles, centre-of-mass and centre-of-mass velocity, conservation in 2-body collisions, mass and energy, E = mc².

• Rotational Motion (7 hours)

   

Uniform circular motion, angular and centripetal acceleration, rotation of a solid about a fixed axis, moment of inertia, angular momentum and torque, conservation of angular momentum and the behaviour of the gyroscope.

Waves in Physics:

The course follows the text, Fundamentals of Physics Extended by Halliday, Resnick and Walker (HRW)

Wave Concepts (HRW Ch 15 and 16) (12 hours)

·                Simple harmonic motion

·                Longitudinal and transverse wave motion

·                Frequency, angular frequency, wavelength, wave number, "speed"

·                The wave equation in one dimension

·                Superposition, beating, phase, group, particle velocities

·                Energy and momentum

Mechanical Waves (HRW Ch 16 and 17) 6 hours

·                Waves on a string, string boundaries and joins, standing waves.

·                Sound waves, Doppler effect

Waves in Optics (HRW Ch 33, 34, 35 and 36) 15 hours

·                Huygens construction

·                Reflection, refraction, diffraction, refractive index

·                Geometrical optics, lens formulae, magnification, telescope, microscope

·                Optical fibres

·                Interference

·                Fabry Perot interferometer

·                Diffraction - single, double slit and grating diffraction

·                Resolving power

Waves in Crystals (HRW Ch 36 and RO Ch 2) 3 hours

·                Braggs' law, diffraction patterns, X-ray

·                Crystal structure, introduction to the reciprocal lattice

·                Review of the course bringing out the unifying themes.

·                Recapitulation and Summary 1 hour demonstrations

General discussion; Linkages; Problems, Worked examples and Quizzes 5 hours

Atoms Molecules and Quanta:

·                Introduction 2 hours

The need for quantum theory, outline of course.

·                Quanta of light 5 hours

Electromagnetic waves and light, blackbody radiation, photoelectric effect, Compton effect.

·                Wave-particle duality 3 hours

De Broglie hypothesis, Born interpretation, Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

·                Quantum mechanics 6 hours

Arguments leading to the Schrödinger equation, solution for a free particle, wave functions, solution for a particle in a box, implications for energy quantization.

·                Quantum structure of atoms 8 hours

Atomic spectra, Franck-Hertz experiment, spectral lines for hydrogen, Bohr model, hydrogen atom in quantum mechanics, electron spin (Stern-Gerlach experiment), Zeeman effect.

·                Multi-electron atoms 10 hours

Pauli exclusion principle, shell structure, low levels of alkali atoms, characteristic x-rays, optical spectra, addition (coupling) of angular momentum, helium spectrum.

·                 Molecules 2 hours

Principles of Physics:

36 hours of lectures/demonstrations.

Waves in Physics:

36 hours of lectures, examples classes, discussion periods, tutorials and demonstration experiments.

Atoms Molecules and Quanta:

36 hours of taught periods including lecture and tutorial classes.

Principles of Physics:

Main Course Text

Waves in Physics and Principles of Physics

i.                D Halliday, R Resnick and J Walker, Fundamentals of Physics, 7^th Edition, John Wiley, New York (2005) ISBN 0-471-21643-7 (required).

NB: This is the latest edition, earlier editions are also suitable but chapter numbers differ.

There are many other very similar books available which cover broadly the same material including (but not limited to) the following;

i.                H. D. Young and R. A. Freedman, University Physics with Modern Physics, 10^th Edition, Addison Wesley Longman, San Francisco (2000) ISBN 0-201-70059-X.

ii.              R. A. Serway and J. W. Jewett Jnr., Physics for Scientists and Engineers, with Modern Physics, 6^th Edition, Thomson, Belmont (2004) ISBN 0-534-40844-3

iii.             P. M. Fishbane, S. G. Gasiorowicz and S. T. Thornton, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, with Modern Physics, 3^rd Edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, New Jersey (2005) ISBN 0-13-191182-1

Further Recommended Reading :

Waves in Physics:

i.                Rosenberg, The Solid State , Oxford .

ii.              Pain, The Physics of Vibrations and Waves, John Wiley, New York .

iii.             Gough, Richards and Williams, Vibrations and Waves, Prentice-Hall.

Atoms Molecules and Quanta:

i.                K Krane, Modern Physics, [Second Edition], Wiley, 1996, ISBN 0-471-82872-6 2

ii.              R Eisberg and R Resnick, Quantum Physics, Wiley, 1974, ISBN 0-471-87373X.