Module FOUN0347: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS

Department: Foundation Year

FOUN0347: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Core Foundation 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

Content

• Particles and Radiation:
• Constituents of the atom; proton, neutron, electron,
• 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, decay equations,
• alpha, beta and gamma radiation, properties and identification by absorption 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) Current electricity and circuits;
• charge, current, potential difference, resistance;
• Resistors in series and parallel, power formulae Motion;
• displacement, speed, velocity, acceleration. interpretation of displacement/time & velocity/time graphs (areas & gradients) Forces;
• Use of F = ma for constant mass.
• Moments.
• Pressure as force/area Work, energy, Power; Conservation of Energy, gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, Materials , bulk properties of solids;
• Density,
• Hookes law and elastic limit, Interpretation of simple stress/strain curves, plastic behaviour Thermal Physics;
• temperature scales, concept of absolute zero,
• Calculations on energy changes, specific heat capacity, latent heats of vaporisation and fusion Heat transfer; Conduction, convection, radiation. thermal properties of materials

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, Waves, Current electricity and circuits, Motion, Forces, Work, energy, power, Materials and bulk properties of solids, Thermal Physics, Heat transfer.

• 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, Waves, Current electricity and circuits, Motion, Forces, Work, energy, power, Materials and bulk properties of solids, Thermal Physics, Heat transfer.
• 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
• be able to demonstrate problem solving skills

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 an end of module invigilated test.

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