PHS2011

Physics

Associate Professor Peter Wells

8 points
* Four 1-hour lecture/problem classes and one 4-hour laboratory class per week
* First semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: PHS1011, PHS1022 and one of MAT1010, MAT1050, MAT1811 and one of MAT1020, MAT1080, MAT1812

Objectives On the completion of this subject students will be able to solve simple examples of Schr[sinvcircumflex]dinger's wave equation; appreciate the role of quantum mechanics to physical systems; calculate impedances in polar and rectangular forms for series and parallel circuits; understand the methods for analysing AC circuits and bridge circuits; analyse simple diode and transistor circuits, design and analyse simple operational amplifier circuits; understand the way x-ray diffraction can identify crystal structure; apply the effect of a lattice to the free electron model and draw the reduced and extended zone schemes; use band theory to state the difference between conductors, insulators and semiconductors; perform a series of measurements on experiments related to the above topics; write up experimental reports presenting results and analysing and discussing them.

Synopsis This subject comprises four units. (1) Quantum physics: inadequacies of classical mechanics; particles and wave description; Schr[sinvcircumflex]dinger's equation, energy and momentum, expectation values and stationary states; simple one-dimensional examples, tunnelling, particles in a box. Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. (2) AC theory: complex impedance 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. (3) 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. (4) Solid state physics: the periodic lattice, symmetry, crystal structure, x-ray diffraction; the free electron theory, spin and Pauli's exclusion principle; Fermi-Dirac distribution; introduction to band theory, effective mass, reduced and extended zone schemes; conductors, insulators and semiconductors, Fermi level.

Assessment Examinations (4x1.5 hours): 67%
* Laboratory work: 33%

Prescribed texts

Diefenderfer A J and Holton B E Principles of electronic instrumentation 3rd edn, Saunders, 1994
Serway R A and others Modern physics 2nd edn, Harcourt Brace, 1997