units

PHS1011

Faculty of Science

18 September 2017 22 November 2024

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This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2016 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

Monash University

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Science

Organisational Unit

School of Physics and Astronomy

Coordinator(s)

Dr Eric Thrane

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2016 (Day)

Synopsis

In this unit you will build on your knowledge of classical (non-quantum) physics related to concepts of motion, forces, momentum and energy; including their application to oscillations, waves and thermal physics. You will also investigate the limits of applicability of classical (non-relativistic) concepts of motion where the ideas of special relativity must be applied.
You will explore these concepts in the context of current technology in areas such as transportation and communication and you will also discover how these ideas link to current research in Physics.
This unit will also introduce you to concepts of experimental design, measurement and analysis that form the basis of the evidence-based approach that is the foundation of scientific discoveries and theories.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Explain and understand concepts taught in the unit such as force, energy, work, and wave propagation;

  1. Apply their knowledge to solve problems related to these concepts;

  1. Evaluate and appraise novel situations in terms of mechanics, thermodynamics, waves and relativity;

  1. Execute experiments and analyse, interpret and evaluate the results arising from them;

  1. Present and communicate results of others and one's own experimentations in a scientific form.

Assessment

Experimental work: 25%
Tests/Assignments: 25%
Examination (3 hours): 50%

Students must achieve a pass mark in the experimental work to achieve an overall pass grade.

Workload requirements

  • Two 1-hour classes and one 3-hour class per week (attendance is expected at all classes)
  • Seven hours of private study per week

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Eric Thrane

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Astrophysics
Materials science
Physics
Physiology

Prerequisites

Year 12 Physics and calculus (VCE Mathematical Methods or equivalent).
Note: Students without Year 12 Physics should consider PHS1080 or PHS1031. With permission from the School of Physics and Astronomy a student may be able to take MTH1010, as a co-requisite, to fulfill the calculus requirements.

Co-requisites

Recommended: MTH1020, MTH1030, MTH1035 or ENG1005.
Note: to continue with Physics at level two students must have taken MTH1030, MTH1035 or ENG1005 by the end of level one.

Prohibitions

PHS1080, PHS1031, BMS1031, ENG1081