Foundation Physics

Overview

Classical Mechanics:
Newton’s Laws, Elasticity, Simple Harmonic Motion, Damped, Forced and Coupled Oscillations, Two- Body Dynamics, Centre of Mass, Reduced Mass, Collisions, Rotational Motion, Torque, Angular Momentum, Moment of Inertia, Central Forces, Gravitation, Kepler’s Laws

Special Relativity:
Lorentz Transformations, Length Contraction and Time Dilation, Paradoxes, Velocity Transformations, Relativistic Energy and Momentum

Waves:
Wave Equation, Travelling Waves, Superposition, Interference, Beats, Standing Waves, Dispersive Waves, Group Velocity, Doppler Effect

Electricity and Magnetism:
Static electric and magnetic fields. Time varying magnetic fields and motional emf. Electrical circuit analysis including dc and ac theory and circuit transients

Light and Optics:
Electromagnetic waves, dispersion by prisms and diffraction gratings, interference, diffraction, polarization, X-rays.

Quantum Theory:
Wave-particle duality, photoelectric effect, Bohr model, spectra of simple atoms, radioactive decay, fission and fusion, fundamental forces and the Standard Model.

Thermodynamics:
Kinetic theory of gases, Van der Waal’s equation, first and second laws of thermodynamics, internal energy, heat capacity, entropy. Thermodynamic engines, Carnot cycle. Changes of state.

Solid State:
Solids, crystal structure, bonding and potentials, thermal expansion. Introduction to band structure of metals, insulators and semiconductors. Origin and behaviour of electric and magnetic dipoles.

Learning Objectives

Demonstrate knowledge and conceptual understanding in the areas of classical mechanics, special relativity, waves and oscillations, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, quantum theory, thermodynamics, and solid state, by describing, discussing and illustrating key concepts and principles.

Solve problems by identifying relevant principles and formulating them with basic mathematical relations.

Perform quantitative estimates of physical parameters within an order of magnitude.

Skills

Problem solving. Searching for and evaluating information from a range of sources. Communicating scientific concepts in a clear and concise manner both orally and in written form. Working independently and with a group of peers. Time management and the ability to meet deadlines.

Assessment

Examination must be passed