Undergraduate Course: Physics of Fields and Matter (PHYS08046)
Course Outline
| School | School of Physics and Astronomy |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Undergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course is designed for pre-honours physics students. It provides an introduction to electromagnetic fields and the properties of matter. It serves both as a preparation for further study in physics-based degree programmes, and as a standalone course for students of other disciplines, including mathematics, chemistry, geosciences, computer science and engineering. The course consists of lectures to present new material, and workshops to develop understanding, familiarity and fluency. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | No |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
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Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
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Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Course Start Date |
13/01/2014 |
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Please contact the School directly for a breakdown of Learning and Teaching Activities |
| Additional Notes |
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| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Please contact the School directly for a breakdown of Assessment Methods
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| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 3:00 | |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course it is intended that student will be able to:
- State the basic principles of electromagnetism and condensed matter physics
- Apply these principles in conjunction with elementary mathematical techniques to solve simple problems in electromagnetism and condensed matter physics
- Present a solution to a physics problem in a clear and logical written form
- Assess whether a solution to a given problem is physically reasonable
- Locate and use additional sources of information (to include discussion with peers where appropriate) to facilitate independent problem-solving
- Take responsibility for learning by attending lectures and workshops, and completing coursework
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Assessment Information
20% Coursework
80% Examination |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Physics of Fields (20 lectures)
- Introduction and why electromagnetism is important. (1)
- Electric charge. Coulomb¿s Law. (1)
- Electric field. Potential. Electric dipoles. (1)
- Gauss¿s Law in integral form and briefly in div form (1)
- Capacitors. Dielectric materials. Energy stored in electric fields. (2)
- Current. Resistance. RC circuits. (1)
- Magnetic field. Lorentz force. (1)
- Magnetic dipoles. Absence of magnetic monopoles. (1)
- Ampere¿s Law in integral form and briefly in curl form. (2)
- Induction. Magnetic Flux, Faraday¿s Law. (2)
- Inductance. Current in inductor, RL circuits. Energy in magnetic field. (2)
- Magnetic materials. Dia/Para/Ferro-magnetism. The Earth¿s magnetic field (1)
- Introduction to electromagnetic waves. Reflection, refraction. (2)
- Applications of waves. Interference; diffraction. (2)
Physics of Matter (20 lectures)
- Basic concepts. Phases; equation of state; P-V-T surface and projections. (1)
- Elementary thermal physics. Origin of phase transitions; basic thermodynamics: equilibrium (0th law); contributions to the internal energy (1st law), heat capacities and latent heat; brief mention of free energy; entropy and its statistical interpretation (2nd law). (2)
- Ideal gases. Kinetic theory; Maxwell-Boltzmann velocity distributions; sedimentation/barometric height distribution; degrees of freedom and equipartition theorem. (3)
- Non-ideal gases. Lennard-Jones type interaction; van der Waals approach; instability in PV isotherms; appearance of the liquid below Tc; phase coexistence and critical phenomena. (2)
- Liquid phase. Radial distribution function; vapour pressure; surface tension. (1)
- Flow and transport phenomena. Bernoulli¿s equation; viscosity; Reynolds number; thermal and electrical conductivity. (2)
- Crystalline phase. Bonding types; types of order; unit cells and basis; symmetry; centring; Miller indices; crystal planes, Bragg¿s law; reciprocal space, Fourier analysis, Structure Factor, scattering of electrons, neutrons and X-rays; electronic band structure. (4)
- Semiconductors. Doping. p-n junctions. Transistors. (1)
- Noncrystalline solids. Amorphous solids and glasses. (1)
- Elasticity and deformations. Young¿s modulus; sound waves; bulk modulus; shear stress and dislocations; cracking. (2)
- Other phases of matter. Liquid crystals. Magnetic materials. (1)
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| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | PFM |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Will Hossack
Tel: (0131 6)50 5261
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Jillian Bainbridge
Tel: (0131 6)50 7218
Email: |
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