This is a calculus-based physics course covering the basic laws and phenomena in waves, optics, and thermodynamics.
1. Waves on a String: Transverse and longitudinal waves; The wave equation; Phase velocity; The sine wave; Power transmission; Superposition principle; Interference; Standing waves and Resonance.
2. Sound Waves: Wave speed (without derivation); Displacement and pressure waves; Beats; Doppler effect for sound waves.
3. Optics: Huygens’s Principle (e.g., in Refraction); The electromagnetic wave.
4. Coherence: Young's experiment; Intensity in double slit interference; Thin film interference (including wedge films and Newton's rings).
5. The Phasor Method: Single slit diffraction; The diffraction grating.
6. Heat and Thermodynamics: Temperature; Heat and the First Law: Measuring temperature; Constant volume gas thermometer; Ideal gas temperature; Measurement of thermodynamic temperature; Absorption of heat by solids and liquids; Molar specific heat; Heat and Work; Calculation of work done by an ideal gas at constant temperature; Differential form of First Law of Thermodynamics and application to selected cases.
7. Kinetic Theory of Gases: RMS speed, pressure, translational kinetic energy and pressure; Adiabatic equation of an ideal gas.
8. Entropy and the Second Law: Entropy and the second law of Thermodynamics; Heat engines and refrigerators.
After completing this course, students should be able to:
Required Textbook:
Halliday, Resnick, and Walker; “Fundamentals of Physics Extended”; 8th Edition, 2007. ISBN 978-0-471-75801-3
Alternative text
Paul A. Tipler and Gene Mosca,Physics for Scientists and Engineers. 6th Edition, 2007. ISBN-10: 0716789647.
Internet Sources:
Our 7 faculties and 12 professional schools offer more than 200 programmes to some 18,000 graduate, undergraduate and continuing studies students.
The UWI, Mona ranks first in Jamaica among accredited tertiary-level programmes. In 2012, the University was again one of Jamaica’s Top 100 Employers.
