Module FOUD0311: CORE FOUNDATION PHYSICS

Department: Foundation Year (Durham)

FOUD0311: CORE FOUNDATION PHYSICS

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Introduction to Physics.

Aims

• To:
• encourage students to develop confidence in their own abilities in a science subject.
• introduce and develop understanding of physics concepts.
• develop students' ability to apply physics concepts to problem solving.
• develop confidence and ability in handling physics calculations.

Content

• Core Foundation Physics content
• Particles and Radiation: • Constituents of the atom; proton, neutron, electron, evidence for the nucleus –Rutherford scattering • Charge and mass in SI and relative units, Specific charge of nuclei and ions • Proton number Z, nucleon number A, nuclide notation, isotopes • radioactive decay, random nature, activity, half life, log properties, decay equations, unstable nuclei • alpha, beta and gamma radiation, properties and identification by absorption.
• Introduction to particles and antiparticles: • Classification of hadrons, baryons etc, quarks & anti-quarks, comparison of mass, charge and rest energy (Mev). • Particle interactions, Annihilation and pair production processes. • The strong nuclear force -Equations for alpha and beta decay including the neutrino.
• Electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena: • the photoelectric effect, photon model of electromagnetic radiation, Planck constant • collision of electrons with atoms, ionisation, excitation, energy levels, photon emission, line spectra • wave-particle duality – de-Broglie wavelength.
• Waves: • progressive waves, oscillation of particles, amplitude, frequency, wavelength, speed, • Longitudinal and transverse waves including sound and electromagnetic, • refraction at a plane surface, refractive index , laws of refraction for boundaries, (Snell’s law) • total internal reflection and calculation of critical angle, fibre-optics & communications applications • Superposition of waves, stationary waves, phase, path difference. diffraction.
• Current electricity and circuits: • charge, current, potential difference, resistance, , resistivity links with temperature • current/voltage characteristics for ohmic conductor, semi-conductor diode, filament lamp • Resistors in series and parallel, uses of the potential divider, Kirkhoff’s laws • power formulae • emf and internal resistance, capacitance • Alternating currents –sinusoidal volatages and currents root mean square, peak to peak. • oscilloscope as d.c. and a.c. voltmeter.
• Electric Fields: • Coulomb’s law Force between point charges in a vacuum • Electric field strength, comparison of electric and gravitational fields, inverse square law • Magnetic flux density, Fleming’s left hand rule, moving charges in a magnetic field, magnetic flux and flux linkage • electromagnetic induction – Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws. • transformers.
• Forces: • Use of F = ma for constant mass. • Moments. • Pressure as force/area
• Work, energy, Power; • W = F t, P = , P = F • Conservation of Energy, gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, work done against resistive forces.
• Materials , bulk properties of solids: • Density, • Hookes law and elastic limit, tensile strain and tensile stress, elastic strain energy, breaking stress, • Interpretation of simple stress/strain curves, plastic behaviour, Young Modulus.
• Circular motion: angular speed, centripetal acceleration, centripetal force. Gravitation; • force between point masses – formula • Gravitational field strength, Gravitational potential • orbits of planets and satellites.
• Thermal Physics: • temperature scales, concept of absolute zero, • Calculations on energy changes, specific heat capacity, latent heats of vaporisation and fusion • Molecular kinetic theory, PVT, ideal gas equation, Avagadro and Boltzman.
• Heat transfer: Conduction, convection, radiation. thermal properties of materials Logic gates: NOT,AND, NAND, OR and NOR. Truth tables (not in AQA but put in for computing).
• Lifecycle of a Star: Pressure versus Gravity, Red Giants, Supernovae, Neutron Stars & Black Holes

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module the student will have acquired the knowledge to be able to:
• describe the basic concepts involved in: Particles and radiation, Introduction to particles and antiparticles, Electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena, Waves, Current electricity and circuits, Electric fields, Forces, Work, energy, power, Materials and bulk properties of solids, Circular motion, Gravitation, Thermal Physics, Heat transfer, Logic gates.

• By the end of this module the student will have acquired the skills to be able to:
• apply physics concepts to solve problems involving: Particles and radiation, Introduction to particles and antiparticles, Electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena, Waves, Current electricity and circuits, Electric fields, Forces, Work, energy, power, Materials and bulk properties of solids, Circular motion, Gravitation, Thermal Physics, Heat transfer, Logic gates.
• carry out appropriate mathematical/physical calculations as required.

• By the end of the module students will be able to:
• communicate effectively in writing.
• be able to apply number both in the tackling of numerical problems and in the collecting, recording, interpreting and presenting of data.
• have improved their own learning and performance.
• be able to demonstrate problem solving skills.
• Portfolio Test will assess SK1, SS1, SS2, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4
• January Test will assess SK1, SS1, SS2, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 May
• Exam will assess SK1, SS1, SS2, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Theory, initial concepts and techniques will be introduced during lectures and demonstrations.
• Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through the use of structured worksheets during tutorials and students' own time.
• Knowledge and understanding of concepts will be assessed by a series of portfolio tasks.
• Knowledge and ability to use and apply concepts will be tested by a mid module test and an end of module exam.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Students will be given self testing units on a weekly basis.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University