Undergraduate Course: Physics of Matter (PHYS08054)
Course Outline
| School | School of Physics and Astronomy |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course is designed for Pre-Honours Physics students. It provides an introduction to materials physics. 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. |
| Course description |
- Basic concepts. Phases; equation of state; P-V-T surface and projections,
- 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),
- Ideal gases. Kinetic theory; Maxwell-Boltzmann velocity distributions; sedimentation/barometric height distribution; degrees of freedom and equipartition theorem,
- 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,
- Liquid phase. Radial distribution function; vapour pressure; surface tension,
- Flow and transport phenomena. Bernoulli¿s equation; viscosity; Reynolds number
- Crystalline phase. Bonding types; types of order; unit cells and basis; symmetry; centring; Miller indices; crystal planes, Bragg¿s law; scattering of electrons, neutrons and x-rays.
- Electronic properties. Metals, semiconductors, insulators.
- Elasticity, plasticity, and fracture. Young¿s modulus; sound waves; bulk modulus; shear stress and dislocations; cracking.
- Other phases of matter. Molecular crystals; structures of water ice; plasmas; degenerate matter.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
64 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
80 %,
Coursework
20 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
80% exam 20% coursework |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | Physics of Matter | 2:00 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | Physics of Matter | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- State the basic principles materials physics and apply these principles in conjunction with elementary mathematical techniques to solve simple problems in condensed matter physics
- Present a solution to a physics problem in a clear and logical written form and 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 and take responsibility for learning by attending lectures and workshops, and completing coursework
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Reading List
D Tabor, "Gases, Liquids and Solids", Cambridge University Press, 1991.
AJ Walton, "Three Phases of Matter", Oxford, 1983 |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | PoM |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Will Hossack
Tel: (0131 6)50 5261
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Bonnie Macmillan
Tel: (0131 6)50 5905
Email: |
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