OSCILLATIONS AND WAVES - 2024/5

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. Some of these concepts will build upon examples that may have been encountered as part of the Physics A-level material but others are new. It combines the mathematical description, physical interpretation as well as experiments and their analysis of oscillations and wave phenomena to provide students with a well-balanced introduction to the important physical concepts that are required for further study in the subsequent modules of your physics course.

Module provider

Mathematics & Physics

Module Leader

DOHERTY Daniel (Maths & Phys)

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. Bi-weekly Small Group Tutorial questions may be replaced with an alternative question set

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:

• Laboratory diary entries (on selected experiments). 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. Due to Institute of Physics accreditation requirements, the average mark of the laboratory component needs to be above 40% in order to pass the module. 

• Bi-weekly hand-in questions from Small Group Tutorial Sessions. 

• A written examination of 2-hour duration with a section of short compulsory questions, and a section of longer questions with a choice of 2 out of 3.

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 Waves lectures through:

- Small group tutorial sessions

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

- Multiple Choice revision questions during the lecture sessions

EDI Training

The assessment of engagement with the EDI Awareness Workshop will be by an open book quiz with unlimited re-attempts, but it must be passed in order to pass the module.

 

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 methods include:

• lectures which are delivered in person and supported by captured content to give students access to lecture resources when revising.


• laboratory classes (shared with PHY1033) which are supported by guided learning in the form of short videos introducing experimental work.


• an interactive workshop on the importance of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

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

Other information

The School of Mathematics and Physics is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Global and Cultural Capabilities The module includes an Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) workshop which aims to increase students’ awareness of cultural, religious, and racial differences while exploring how a person can change their behavior to be more inclusive . Through this training, students are encouraged to diversify their knowledge and reflect upon their experiences as a physicist and in education. 

Resourcefulness and Resilience Students are introduced to problem solving, both individually in the assessed coursework, and in small groups in both the experimental laboratories and small-group tutorial sessions. A key aim of the module is to show how the techniques developed here can be applied to a wide range of physics phenomena and real-world examples. 

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 2024/5 academic year.