UWA Handbooks 2010 - Units
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UWA Handbooks 2010 - Units

Unit details


PHYS1101 Advanced Physics A [UG]

Credit 6 points
Availability Semester 1
Old unit code 560.101
Outcomes This unit develops the foundations of physics. It is required for students intending to major in Physics and for students undertaking the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Engineering combined degree and for engineering students. It is also suitable for students majoring in other subjects who desire a strong physics background. The emphasis of the lectures is on developing a sound understanding of the underlying physical principles with reference to a range of applications. The lectures are complemented by a series of laboratory tasks designed to develop and reinforce understanding of physical principles and measurement. Regular problem classes foster skills in problem identification and solution. Achievement of these attributes is assessed continuously in the laboratory classes and through problem class tests. An end-of-semester written examination assesses overall comprehension of the basic science covered in the unit.
Content Topics include:

Waves and optics—harmonic oscillations (energy conservation, forced oscillations, resonance); wave properties (energy flow, reflection, refraction, superposition); mechanical waves (sinusoidal waves, standing waves); sound waves (speed, Doppler effect, beats); light waves (refractive index, reflection, dispersion); interference (double slit, phasors, thin films, gratings); diffraction (single slit, circular aperture); polarised light; optical instruments; resolution.

Electricity and magnetism—flux and Gauss' law; electric field and potential; potential energy; capacitance; dielectrics; energy density; electric current (but not circuit theory); magnetic field; Lorentz force; magnetic moment; torque on a dipole; Biot-Savart law; Ampere's law; fields of wires and solenoids; induction.

Thermodynamics—heat and properties of matter (temperature and the zeroth law); heat, work and the first law of thermodynamics; entropy and the second law; low temperatures and the third law; kinetic theory of gases (heat capacities of ideal gases, equipartition, speed distribution function); elastic moduli.

Quantum physics—experimental evidence for the failure of classical mechanics (blackbody radiation, Compton scattering, photoelectric effect, electron diffraction).

Atomic physics—Bohr model, quantum numbers, atomic spectra.

Principles of quantum mechanics—matter waves, uncertainty principle, energy quantisation.
Assessment This comprises an examination (50 per cent), three tests during semester (38 per cent) and laboratories (12 per cent).

Supplementary assessment is available for those students who obtain a mark of 45 to 49 inclusive in this unit (see University General Rule 1.2.1.25).
Unit Co-ordinator(s) Associate Professor Peter Hammond
Location UWA (Crawley)
Mode on-campus
Unit Rules
Prerequisites: TEE Physics or equivalent; TEE Applicable Mathematics. For students intending to major in Physics concurrent enrolment in MATH1010 Calculus and Linear Algebra is advised.
Advisable prior study: TEE Calculus or MATH1030 Calculus A or MATH1040 Calculus B is strongly recommended
Incompatibility: PHYS1131 Introductory Physics; PHYS1141 General Physics A; PHYS1142 General Physics B
Contact hours—lectures: 3 hrs per week; problem-based learning classes: 1 hr per week; labs: 2 hrs per week
Recommended
reading

Halliday, D. et al. Fundamentals of Physics, 8th edn: Wiley 2008



  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change.
  • Assistance with study skills, including English language skills, is available free of charge from Student Services for all enrolled students (see http://www.studentservices.uwa.edu.au/ss/learning). Student Services location: Second Floor, South Wing, Guild Village; telephone: 6488 2423.
  • Books and other materials wherever listed may be subject to change. Book lists relating to 'Preliminary Reading', 'Recommended Reading' and 'Textbooks' are, in most cases, available at the University Co-operative Bookshop (from early January) and appropriate administrative offices for students to consult. For first-year units the Bookshop will endeavour to make available photocopies of book lists for individual units. Books marked with an asterisk (*) are available in paperback.
The University of Western Australia
University information CRICOS Code: 00126G
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Tuesday, 29 September, 2009 at 12:56 PM
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