| Credit |
6 points |
| Availability |
Semester 1 |
| Old unit code |
560.131 |
| Outcomes |
This is a well-paced unit designed for students with little or no background in physics who wish to gain an understanding of basic physics, associated scientific method and its application in a variety of fields. Students are introduced to the principles of scientific method including measurement, quantitative and qualitative analysis and creative problem solving. Applications and examples are taken from sport, properties of biological materials, blood flow, vision, optical instruments, hearing and ultrasound, geology and astronomy. In addition to the specific knowledge imparted, this unit offers students the opportunity to develop skills in critical thinking about physical situations, problem solving with simple mathematics, quantitative analysis and experimental technique. |
| Content |
Topics include (1) mechanics—movement and forces; (2) properties of solids—elasticity and strength of materials; (3) properties of waves with emphasis on sound; (4) properties of fluids—fluids in motion, viscosity and surface tension; (5) light—as a wave (interference) and as a particle (photons); (6) geometrical optics—reflection and refraction, the eye; (7) electricity—electric charge, electric fields, electrical currents and resistive circuits; and (8) magnetism—electromagnetism, induction. |
| Assessment |
This comprises three tests (20 per cent each), laboratory work (20 per cent) and assignments (20 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 Discrete Mathematics or equivalent knowledge |
| Incompatibility: TEE Physics; PHYS1141 General Physics A; PHYS1142 General Physics B; PHYS1101 Advanced Physics A; PHYS1102 Advanced Physics B |
Contact hours—lectures: 3 hrs per week; tutorials: 1 hr per week; labs: 2 hrs per week
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| Text | |
Hewitt, P. G. Conceptual Physics, 10th edn: Addison-Wesley 2006. Other recent editions are satisfactory. |
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- 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.
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