Physics
Associate Professor Peter Wells
8 points * Four 1-hour lecture/problem classes and one 5-hour laboratory class per week * First semester * Clayton * Prerequisites: PHS1011, PHS1022 and one of MAT1011, MAT1910. MAT1051 and one of MAT1022, MAT1920
This subject comprises four units. (1) Introduction to quantum mechanics: Inadequacies of classical mechanics. Particles and wave description. Schrödinger's equation, energy and momentum, expectation values and stationary states. Simple one-dimensional examples, tunnelling, particles in a box. Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. (2) Analog electronics: Semiconductor physics, minority and majority carriers. Clipping and clamping circuits. Bi-polar junction transistor, field effect transistor. Small-signal amplifiers, gain and feedback. Operational amplifier model, simple linear and switching operational amplifier circuits. (3) AC theory: Complex impedence and phasor notation. Series and parallel resonance circuits, Q factor and bandwidth. AC bridge circuits and their applications. Energy and power in AC circuits. Energy density in capacitors and inductors. The transformer. (4) Electricity and magnetism: Development of Maxwell's equations (Gauss', Ampère's, and Faraday's laws) as differential equations. Displacement current. Polarisation in dielectric and ferromagnetic materials. Vectors P, D, M, and H. Permeability and permittivity of isotropic media.
Assessment
Examinations (2 x 1.5 hrs): 67% * Laboratory work: 33%
Prescribed texts
Brophy J J Basic electronics for Scientists 5th edn, McGraw-Hill, 1990
Eisberg R M and Resnick R Quantum physics of atoms, molecules, solids, nuclei and particles 2nd edn, Wiley, 1985
Lorrain P and Corson D R Electromagnetism: Principles and applications 2nd edn, Freeman, 1990