Dynamics, Relativity and Electromagnetism (VS1) (U03508)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 9 ? Acronym : PHY-3-VS1DRE

This course emphasises frames of reference in discussing the classical mechanics of particles. It starts with a review of Newtonian mechanics, the importance of inertial frames and the classical description of collisions and scattering processes. Non-inertial frames are introduced, leading to a discussion of the centrifugal and Coriolis forces. There follows a substantial section on Special Relativity, which introduces Lorentz transformations, Minkowski spacetime, relativistic kinematics, and the application of four-vector methods to particle collisions and decays. The course concludes with an introduction to General Relativity through a discussion of the equivalence principle, and the idea of curved spacetime.

Entry Requirements

? This course is only available to part year visiting students.

? This course is a variant of the following course : U03243

? Pre-requisites : Year 2 Physics and Mathematics

? Prohibited combinations : Dynamics & Relativity (pre-2006)

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Undergraduate (School of Physics), (School of Physics, Schedule Q)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	09:00	09:50	KB
Lecture	Thursday	09:00	09:50	KB

? Additional Class Information : Workshop/tutorial sessions, as arranged.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course a student should be able to:
D&R:
1)define inertial frame,understand Lab & Centre of Mass frames; exploit via Galilean transformation
2)Use conservation laws for 2-particle scattering; trajectories,cross-sections
3)Explain fictitious forces in accelerating frames
4)Interpret/apply centrifugal/coriolis force
5)State Special Relativity postulates,discuss implications for simultaneity
6)State Lorentz transformation (LT);use Minkowski diagrams
7)Use LT for time dilation,length contraction,velocity addition
8)Define 4-vectors,show invariance of scalar products;apply to particle decays,collisions
9)Discuss causality,equivalence,space-time curvature; derive gravitational redshift