OSCILLATIONS AND WAVES - 2021/2

Module Overview

This module covers introductory concepts of simple harmonic motion and waves, drawing on and bringing together examples from different branches of physics including mechanics, optics, electronics, and electromagnetism. It combines the mathematical description, physical interpretation as well as experiments and their analysis of oscillations and wave phenomena to provide a well-balanced introduction to the important physical concepts that are required for further study in subsequent modules of a physics course.

Module provider

Mathematics & Physics

Module Leader

DOHERTY Daniel (Physics)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Fundamental description of oscillations and waves
  
  
  
  
  • Simple harmonic motion
  
  
  • Longitudinal and transversal wave motion
  
  
  • Frequency, angular frequency, wavelength, wave number, “speed”
  
  
  • The wave equation in one dimension
  
  
  • Superposition, beating, phase, group, particle velocities
  
  
  • Energy and Momentum 
  
  
  
  


• Mechanical waves
  
  
  
  • Waves on a string, string boundaries and joins, standing waves.
  
  
  • Sound waves, Doppler effect
  
  
  
  


• Waves in Optics
  
  
  
  • Huygens construction
  
  
  • Reflection, refraction, diffraction, refractive index
  
  
  • [Geometrical optics, lens formulae, magnification, telescope, microscope]
  
  
  • Optical fibres
  
  
  • Interference
  
  
  • Diffraction – single, double slit and grating diffraction 
  
  
  
  


• Oscillations and Waves in AC circuits
  
  
  
  • Transients in circuits with Inductors and Capacitors
  
  
  • Time constants in circuits with L,C, R components
  
  
  • AC circuits: Impedance, frequency dependent response
  
  
  • Description of AC circuits using phase and phasors
  
  
  
  


• Review of the course bringing out the unifying themes

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Assessed Laboratory experiments with associated report may replace the laboratory Unit of Assessment.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

• during the laboratory components, tutorials and exam, that they have acquired a basic understanding and familiarity with waves in different context of Physics and that they can apply that knowledge in order to perform calculations predict experimental findings relating to wave phenomena.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• A written examination of 2h duration (week 13 or 14) with a section of short compulsory questions, and a section of longer questions with a choice of 2 out of 3.

• Electronics assessment: This consists of two parts. Part 1 is a piece of coursework to be submitted electronically, typically in week 5. Part 2 is a short practical assessment (typically 30 Minutes or less), usually carried out between week 7 and 9 (after feedback on Part 1 has been received). Part 2 cannot be marked anonymously. 

• Laboratory diary entries (on selected experiments, typically in week 5 and 8). These diary entries will not be marked anonymous, in order to allow follow up with students in the subsequent lab sessions, as well as cross checking diary entries with attendance. The average mark of the Laboratory entries needs to be above 40 % in order to pass the module. 

 

 

Formative assessment and feedback

Students receive formative verbal feedback during laboratory session from Academics and Demonstrators.

They also have the opportunity to receive feedback on their ability to apply the topics covered during the oscillations and wave lectures through:

- Small group tutorial sessions

- Exercise sheets and model solutions made available through the Virtual Learning Environment

- Multiple Choice revision questions during the lecture sessions

 

Module aims

• provide a solid base for the important concepts that re-occur in (almost) all areas of physics relating to harmonic oscillations and wave phenomena.
• introduce the general mathematical description as well as to the common physical interpretation and consequences concerning speed, frequency, energy, velocities etc. 
• applied and re-inforce concepts through many examples of oscillations and waves
• develop confidence and familiarity in students with the theoretical description and analysis of harmonic oscillations and waves  as well as performing experiments of wave related phenomena, for example in the area of mechanical springs, diffraction, standing mechanical waves, AC circuits etc.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Describe what the module learning and teaching strategy is designed to achieve and how it relates to the programme learning and teaching strategy

The learning and teaching methods include:

• 29h of lectures + 4 tutorial sessions, discussions: 3h/week x 11 weeks


• 20h of laboratory classes arranged as 5 half-day experiment

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: PHY1036

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.