Undergraduate Course: Physics of Matter (PHYS08054)
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 | 10 |
| 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 the properties of matter. 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 |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | Students MUST NOT also be taking
Physics of Fields and Matter (PHYS08046)
|
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | No |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Delivery period: 2014/15 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Learn enabled: No |
Quota: None |
|
Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Course Start Date |
12/01/2015 |
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 20,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
54 )
|
| Additional Notes |
|
| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
80 %,
Coursework
20 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| 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 | |
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 |
Assessment Information
| 80% exam 20% coursework |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
- 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) |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
D Tabor, "Gases, Liquids and Solids", Cambridge University Press, 1991. |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | PoM |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Will Hossack
Tel: (0131 6)50 5261
Email: w.hossack@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Bonnie Macmillan
Tel: (0131 6)50 5905
Email: Bonnie.MacMillan@ed.ac.uk |
|
© Copyright 2014 The University of Edinburgh - 29 August 2014 4:37 am
|
University Homepage