ENG1803

Physics C

G Jakovidis (Caulfield), D Mills (Clayton) and B McEniery (Gippsland/distance)

4 points · 24 lecture hours and 24 tutorial/laboratory hours · First/second semester, Clayton · Second semester, Caulfield · Gippsland (TBA) · Prerequisite: VCE Physics 3/4 or ENG1801 · Corequisite: ENG1901, if VCE Specialist Mathematics, or equivalent, has not been completed · Prohibited combinations: PHS1162, PHS1820

Objectives The student is expected to develop an understanding of the central principles of electrostatics and magnetism and key concepts in quantum and nuclear physics related to modern electrical engineering; to acquire the ability to apply these principles in electrical devices and circuits, transducers, power generation, opto-electronics; to acquire skills in making measurements, analysing and interpreting data.

Synopsis This subject introduces the interactions of electric charges, magnetic fields, and electromagnetic radiation which provide the basis for all aspects of electrical engineering application from power generation to semiconductor technologies. Topics studied are electrostatic forces, fields and electric potential, applications in xerography, capacitors, dielectric materials, energy and information storage, electrical breakdown; magnetic fields, solenoids and coils, induced emfs arising from situations found in generators, inductors, transformers and motors, eddy currents, applications including magnetic transducers, magnetic information storage; quantum physics concepts, photons and wave nature of particles, the properties of insulators, metals and semiconductors, photoconductivity, detectors for UV, visible and IR radiation, nuclear decay and fission and applications of nuclear radiation.

Assessment Examination (2.5 hours): 70% · Assignments, tests and laboratory: 30%

Prescribed texts

Serway R A Principles of physics 2nd edn, Saunders, 1998

Recommended texts

Saunders Study guide and student solutions manual to principles of physics vol. 2, 1998
Saunders Core concepts in physics (CD Rom) 1998

Back to the 1999 Engineering Handbook