FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS - 2023/4
Module code: PHY1033
Module Overview
This module covers some of the fundamental principles in classical physics including a discussion of units of measurement, the kinematics and dynamics of objects and conservation laws.
Module provider
Mathematics & Physics
Module Leader
SHENTON-TAYLOR Caroline (Maths & Phys)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 4
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 95
Lecture Hours: 22
Seminar Hours: 2
Tutorial Hours: 9
Laboratory Hours: 22
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
Indicative content includes:
• Space, Time and Mass (3 hours)
SI units, multiples and submultiples of units, the units of length, mass and time, c, as a standard speed, dimensions in equations of physics. Derived units for important physical quantities, orders of magnitude, estimation and significant figures.
• Representation of Physical Quantities (3 hours)
Physical quantities represented as scalars and vectors, simple operations involving vector quantities, position as a vector quantity, components, magnitudes and units, rate of change of position and velocity.
• The Usefulness of the Vector Representation (3 hours)
The scalar and vector product, the right-hand rule, examples of the use of the vector product, description as a 3x3 determinant and the scalar triple product as the volume of a solid.
• General Kinematics (3 hours)
Position, velocity and acceleration, motion with constant acceleration, graphical representation and dealing with infinitesimal changes.
• General Dynamics (3 hours)
Newton's Laws, force and momentum, principle of superposition of forces, frictional forces and the four fundamental forces in nature.
• Conservation Laws (6 hours)
Conservative forces, work done, potential and kinetic energy, the electron volt as a unit of energy, conservation of mechanical energy, conservation of momentum, conservation of energy, application to systems of particles, centre-of-mass and centre-of-mass velocity, conservation of charge, Kirchoff’s laws. Conservation in 2-body collisions, mass and energy, E = mc2.
• Rotational Motion (6 hours)
Uniform circular motion, angular and centripetal acceleration, rotation of a solid about a fixed axis, moment of inertia, angular momentum and torque, conservation of angular momentum and the behaviour of the gyroscope.
• Gravity (3 hours)
Newton’s law of gravitation, gravity near the earth’s surface, gravitational potential energy, shell theorem, Kepler's laws
* Electromagnetism (3 hours)
Electric field strengths, electric dipole.
Assessment pattern
Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
---|---|---|
Coursework | SMALL GROUP TUTORIAL SESSION QUESTIONS (SURREYLEARN) | 10 |
Coursework | Laboratory Assessment across semester 1 | 20 |
Examination | EXAMINATION 2 HRS | 70 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate
· recall of subject knowledge
· ability to apply individual components of subject knowledge to basic situations
· ability to synthesise and apply combined areas of subject knowledge to physics problems
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
small group tutorial questions
laboratory diary entries on selected experiments. The average mark of laboratories needs to be above 40% in order to pass the module.
final examination (2h) with section A of 5 short compulsory questions and section B of longer questions with 2/3 questions to be answered
Formative assessment and feedback
Students tackle formative problems in small group tutorials and receive verbal feedback during those sessions. In semester laboratories provides a contribution to the module assessment, and provides feedback before the final summative assessment.
Module aims
- provide knowledge and understanding on the fundamental principles of classical physics.
- remind students of standard SI units and the role of the vector and scalar representation of physical quantities.
- inform students about the motion of particles and solids under different conditions as governed by Newton's Laws.
- discuss the conservation laws on which classical physics is based.
- provide an introduction to electromagnetism.
Learning outcomes
Attributes Developed | ||
001 | Demonstrate a grounding in the fundamental principles of classical physics | K |
002 | Treat physical problems within a mathematical framework | CT |
003 | Apply concepts of classical physics in mechanics and basic inverse-square law fields (including gravitation and electromagnetism) | KCT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
equip students with subject knowledge
develop skills in applying subject knowledge to physical situations
enable student to tackle unseen problems in classical physics
The learning and teaching methods include:
Lectures
Problems included in Small Group Tutorial sessions shared with PHY1036
Laboratory Classes shared with PHY1036 which are supported by guided learning.
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: PHY1033
Programmes this module appears in
Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
---|---|---|---|
Physics with Nuclear Astrophysics MPhys | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Physics with Astronomy MPhys | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Physics with Quantum Technologies MPhys | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Physics MPhys | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Physics BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Physics with Astronomy BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Physics with Quantum Technologies BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Physics with Nuclear Astrophysics BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Mathematics and Physics MPhys | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Mathematics and Physics MMath | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Mathematics and Physics BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
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 2023/4 academic year.