PHS1011 - Physics
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate Faculty of Science
Leader(s): Dr David Mills
Offered
Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Synopsis
Measurement in contemporary applications and laboratory experiments; problem solving as a scientist. Mechanics: including inertial frames, Newton's laws, energy, momentum, simple harmonic motion and applications. Introduction to Special Relativity. Waves: behaviour mathematical description including reflection, polarisation, interference and diffraction with applications to mechanical waves, optics, sound, light and X-rays.
Objectives
On completion of this unit, a student should be able to analyse simple electrical circuits, explain and apply the principles of force, momentum and energy to simple mechanical situations; apply the basic concepts of special relativity; explain and apply the principles of waves, their propagation and behaviour in simple cases of diffraction and interference; carry out experiments and analyse data and write scientific reports.
Assessment
Examination (3 hours): 58%
Laboratory work: 25%
Tests/Assignments: 17%
(Students must achieve a pass mark in the laboratory work to achieve an overall pass grade)
Contact hours
Three 1-hour lectures and one 3-hour laboratory class per week
Prerequisites
Year 12 Physics
Co-requisites
recommended MTH1020 or MTH1030