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Course Title:              Introduction to Mechanics

Course Code:             PHYS0411

Semester:                    I

No. of Credits:           3

Prerequisites:             CXC/CSEC Physics or GCE “O” Level Physics.                                              

Course Rationale:

This course is one part of four that constitute the Preliminary Physics program for Physics Majors. The course stresses understanding of basic concepts in mechanics as well as problem solving through many interactive tutorial sessions. It revises and expands on the CXC/CSEC Physics and the GCE “O” Level Physics topics so as to widen the understanding and appreciation of the students for this area of Physics. It is also a stepping stone to the Introductory Level Physics course, providing fundamental knowledge, mathematical techniques and laboratory practices in mechanics.

Course Description:

This is a pre-calculus course covering fundamental topics in Mechanics.

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course, students should be able to:

• Describe the basic units on measurements for mass, length, time, temperature, and distinguish between scalar and vector quantities.
• Perform calculations to determine distance, velocity and acceleration in one dimension.
• Derive and apply the equations for an object travelling along a parabolic path.
• State Newton’s Laws of motion and apply them to motion in one –dimension.
• Describe the types of forces and perform one dimensional mathematical analyses of their occurrences.
• Describe the dynamics of circular motion
• Define the conservation of forces and explain the concepts of energy conversion
• Describe the principle of conservation of linear momentum and its application to collisions.
• Perform and interpret the results of simple experiments and demonstrations of physical principles.

 

Course Structure:

The course consists of the following:  

  Mechanics (18 Lectures):

• Physical Quantities and Units: Physical quantities and their units with mass, length, time and temperature as fundamental (base) quantities. The nature of the physical quantities: scalars and vectors, components of a vector, addition and subtraction of vectors by means of components.
• Kinematics in One Dimension: Definitions in displacement, speed (average and instantaneous), velocity (average and instantaneous), acceleration (average and instantaneous). Displacement-time and velocity-time graphs. Graphical interpretation of velocity and acceleration. Distance travelled as area under the velocity-time graph. Derivation of kinematic equations for constant acceleration and their application to solving problems.
• Projectile Motion: Introduction to projectile motion as a combination of two one-dimensional motions. Derivative of range, maximum height and time of flight. Derivation of the equation for a parabolic path. Application of the equations for projectile motion. Forces & Newton's Laws of Motions; Concepts of force, mass and inertia. Statement of Newton's Laws. Vector nature of Newton's Second Law of Motion (Σ F_x = ma_x , ΣF_y =ma_y ).
• Types of Forces:Static and kinetic frictional forces. Tension. Gravitational forces. Newton's laws of gravitation. Moment of a force. Equilibrium and conditions for equilibrium. Forces on an object immersed in a fluid. Pressure and upthrust. Archimedes' principle and its derivation using a cubical object. Simple battery hydrometer. Viscosity. Statement of Stokes' law and the concept of terminal velocity.
• Dynamics of Uniform Circular Motion: Introduction to the concept of centripetal acceleration and force. Centripetal force and motion around a curve. Satellites in circular orbits.
• Work and Energy: Concepts of work and power. Kinetic and potential energies. Work-Energy Theorem. Definition of conservation of force. The principle of conservation of mechanical energy. Concepts of energy conversion and applications with special references to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal and wave.
• Impulse and Momentum: Definition of impulse and linear momentum. Impulse-Momentum theorem. The principle of conservation of linear momentum including the derivation using the impulse-momentum theorem. Application to collisions.

                      

 

Delivery Methods / Approaches:

The teaching of this course will be carried out using the following strategies:

Method/Approach	Contact Hours
Formal Lectures	18
Tutorials	10
Practical work ( 6 x 4 hrs)	12
Total	40

 

Assessment Procedures/Methods:

One 2-hour theory examination paper                                                60%

Two 1-hour in-course tests (15% each)                                               30%

Laboratory work (average of 6 labs at 10% each)                              10%

 

Materials/Bibliography/Reading List

Required Textbook:

Cutnell, and Johnson; “Physics ”; 8^th Edition, 2009. ISBN 978-0-470-22355-0

Internet Sources: 

1. An online suite of resources:   www.wiley.com/college/wileyplus
2. Self-assessment: www.wiley.com/college/cutnell
3. Online lectures:  http://academicearth.org/courses/fundamentals-of-physics
4. Online tutorials:  http://www.dmoz.org/Science/Physics/Education/Tutorials/

 

Course Title:              Introduction to Oscillations and Heat

Course Code:             PHYS0412

Semester:                    I

No. of Credits:           3

Prerequisites:             CXC/CSEC Physics or GCE “O” Level Physics. 

Course Rationale:

This course is one part of four that constitute the Preliminary Physics program for Physics Majors. The course stresses understanding of basic concepts in Oscillations and Heat as well as problem solving through many interactive tutorial sessions. It revises and expands on the CXC/CSEC Physics and the GCE “O” Level Physics topics so as to widen the understanding and appreciation of the students for this area of Physics. It is also a stepping stone to the Introductory Level Physics course, providing fundamental knowledge, mathematical techniques and laboratory practices in Oscillations and Heat.

Course Description:

This is a pre-calculus course covering fundamental topics in Oscillations and Heat.

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course, students should be able to:

• State Hooke’s law and apply it to solving problems in simple harmonic motion.
• Describe how energy is conserved in simple harmonic motion systems
• Perform mathematical analysis of a simple pendulum system
• State Zeroth law and describe its implications to thermodynamics
• Describe the Gas laws and explain their applications in molecules, vapour pressure and humidity.
• Explain the concepts of “Heat” and “Internal Energy”.
• Perform quantitative analysis of problems involving specific heat and latent heat
• Describe the three methods of heat transfer and perform applicable calculations of these quantities
• Explain the first law of thermodynamics and perform calculations as applied to isobaric and isothermal processes.
• Perform and interpret the results of simple experiments and demonstrations of physical principles.

Course Structure:

The course consists of the following:  

  Oscillations (6 Lectures)

• Simple Harmonic Motion: Introduction to Hooke's Law and definition of simple harmonic motion. Treatment of light spring-mass system as simple harmonic oscillator. The displacement-time graph for SHM and the application of x =A cos(w t) or x =A sin(w t) to interpret the results. Expressions for velocity, acceleration and period for SHM. Energy considerations and conservation for SHM. The Simple Pendulum.

HEAT (12 lectures)

• Temperature and Thermometers: Thermal equilibrium and the Zeroth law of thermodynamics. Thermal expansion. The Gas laws and absolute temperature. The ideal gas law. The ideal gas law in terms of molecules. Avogadro's number. Kinetic theory. Real gases and change of phase. Vapour pressure and humidity.
• Heat and internal energy.  Specific heat capacity.  Latent heat.  Calorimetry. Heat transfer: Conduction, convection and radiation.  First law of  thermodynamics.  First law applied to simple processes including isobaric and isothermal processes.  

 

Delivery Methods / Approaches:

The teaching of this course will be carried out using the following strategies:

Method/Approach	Contact Hours
Formal Lectures	18
Tutorials	10
Practical work ( 6 x 4 hrs)	12
Total	40

Assessment Procedures/Methods:

One 2-hour theory examination paper                                                60%

Two 1-hour in-course tests (15% each)                                               30%

Laboratory work (average of 6 labs at 10% each)                              10%

Materials/Bibliography/Reading List

Required Textbook:

Cutnell, and Johnson; “Physics ”; 8^th Edition, 2009. ISBN 978-0-470-22355-0

Internet Sources: 

        1.   An online suite of resources: www.wiley.com/college/wileyplus

 2.   Self-assessment: www.wiley.com/college/cutnell

3.   Online lectures:  http://academicearth.org/courses/fundamentals-of-physics

4.   Online tutorials:  http://www.dmoz.org/Science/Physics/Education/Tutorials/

 

Course Title:              Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism

Course Code:             PHYS0421

Semester:                    II

No. of Credits:           3

Prerequisites:             CXC/CSEC Physics or GCE “O” Level Physics.   

Course Rationale:

This course is one part of four that constitute the Preliminary Physics program for Physics Majors. The course stresses understanding of basic concepts in Electricity and Magnetism as well as problem solving through many interactive tutorial sessions. It revises and expands on the CXC/CSEC Physics and the GCE “O” Level Physics topics so as to widen the understanding and appreciation of the students for this area of Physics. It is also a stepping stone to the Introductory Level Physics course, providing fundamental knowledge, mathematical techniques and laboratory practices in Electricity and Magnetism.

Course Description:

This is a pre-calculus course covering fundamental topics in Electricity and Magnetism.

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course, students should be able to:

·         Perform simple quantitative analyses of basic problems (with simple geometries) in electrostatics and electrodynamics. 

·         Perform quantitative analyses of basic problems associated with the parallel plate capacitor. Determine the capacitance for a given geometry.

·         Explain the action and use of dielectric materials in capacitors.

·         Perform the reduction of simple capacitor networks using the concept of “the equivalent capacitor” for capacitors in series or in parallel. 

·         Apply Ohm’s Law to solve simple electrical circuits. 

·         Perform the reduction of simple resistor networks using the concept of “the equivalent resistor” for resistors in series or in parallel.

·         Use Kirchhoff’s laws to solve more complex electrical networks (with two or more Emf’s).    

·         Determine the force due to a magnetic field (B) an a charge q moving with velocity v.

·         Determine the force between current-carrying  conductors. 

·         Apply Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction to solving practical problems in electricity and magnetism.

·         Perform and interpret the results of simple experiments and demonstrations of physical principles.   

Course Structure:

The course consists of two main areas of Physics that are very closely related:  

  Electricity and Magnetism (18 Lectures):

• Electric field and potential: Definition of point charge. Coulomb’s law. The electric field E. Force on a charge q in electric field E. Electric potential. Charge q traversing electric potential ∆V. Definition of the electron volt. Electric potential energy. Charge q in a conducting sphere. Resulting E and V. 
• Capacitors: Q=CV. Capacitance of the parallel plate capacitor and the electric field between charged plates. Dielectrics. Energy stored in a charged capacitor and energy density in terms of E. Capacitors in series and parallel.
• Ohm’s Law: Resistors in series and parallel. Emf, internal resistance and terminal potential difference of a battery. Kirchhoff’s laws and applications. Electric power for DC and AC voltages.  
• Magnetism: Force on current-carrying wire in a magnetic field. Definition of magnetic field B. Force due to B on charge q moving with velocity v. B due to a long straight current-carrying wire and a solenoid. Force between current-carrying conductors. Definition of the Coulomb and Ampere.
• Electromagnetic Induction:Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction. Lenz’s law. Motional emf. The inductance L. Energy stored in an inductor and energy density in terms of B. Electric generators.  
• Logic Gates and their truth tables. P-type and n-type semiconductors. Diodes.

 

Delivery Methods / Approaches:

The teaching of this course will be carried out using the following strategies:

Method/Approach	Contact Hours
Formal Lectures	18
Tutorials	10
Practical work ( 6 x 4 hrs)	24
Total	40

 

Assessment Procedures/Methods:

One 2-hour theory examination paper                                                60%

Two 1-hour in-course tests (15% each)                                               30%

Laboratory work (average of 6 labs at 10% each)                              10%

 

Materials/Bibliography/Reading List

Required Textbook:

Cutnell, and Johnson; “Physics ”; 8^th Edition, 2009. ISBN 978-0-470-22355-0

Internet Sources: 

        1.   An online suite of resources: www.wiley.com/college/wileyplus

 2.   Self-assessment: www.wiley.com/college/cutnell

3.   Online lectures:  http://academicearth.org/courses/fundamentals-of-physics

4.   Online tutorials:  http://www.dmoz.org/Science/Physics/Education/Tutorials/

 

Course Title:              Introduction to Nuclear Physics and Optics

Course Code:             PHYS0422

Semester:                    II

No. of Credits:           3

Prerequisites:             CXC/CSEC Physics or GCE “O” Level Physics.                                          

Course Rationale:

This course is one part of four that constitute the Preliminary Physics program for Physics Majors. The course stresses understanding of basic concepts in Nuclear Physics and Optics as well as problem solving through many interactive tutorial sessions. It revises and expands on the CXC/CSEC Physics and the GCE “O” Level Physics topics so as to widen the understanding and appreciation of the students for this area of Physics. It is also a stepping stone to the Introductory Level Physics courses, providing fundamental knowledge, mathematical techniques and laboratory practices in Nuclear Physics and Optics.

Course Description:

This is a pre-calculus course covering fundamental topics in Nuclear Physics and Optics. 

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course, students should be able to:  

·         Appreciate that no material body, in free space, can travel faster than the speed of light.

·         Perform quantitative analyses of problems of image formation with concave and convex mirrors and thin lenses. 

·         Explain the defects of vision and the methods of correction using appropriate lenses. In addition, to perform the necessary quantitative analysis to determine the focal length of the corrective lens.  

·         Explain the construction of the compound microscope and the astronomical telescope and calculate the angular magnification in each case.

·         Explain the structure of the nucleus.

·         Explain the concepts of “binding energy” and “mass defect” and perform simple calculations to determine these quantities. 

·         Explain nuclear stability and radioactive decay.

·         Perform and interpret the results of simple experiments and demonstrations of physical principles.

Course Structure:

The course consists of two main areas:

Optics ( 11 Lectures):

• Light as Electromagnetic Wave: The electromagnetic spectrum. The speed of light. Wavefronts and rays. Laws of reflection. Image formationby Concave and convex mirrors. Refraction of light. Index of refraction. Snell’s law. Total internal reflection and the critical angle. Examples of application of TIR. 
• Lenses:Thin converging and diverging lenses. Image formation by lenses using ray diagrams. Linear magnification. Derivation of the lens equation and sign convention. Lenses in combination. 
• Human Eye:Anatomy of the human eye. Image formation by the eye of objects at varying distances. Defects of vision (nearsightedness and farsightedness) and their correction by lenses. 
• Telescopes and Microscopes: Angular magnification. Simple and compound microscopes their angular magnification. Astronomical and Galilean telescopes and angular magnification.

Nuclear Physics ( 7 Lectures)

• Nuclear Model of the Atom: Geiger-Marsden experiment. Nuclear structure. The fundamental forces. Binding energy and mass defect.  Atomic mass unit. Nuclear stability and natural radioactivity. Fission and fusion.
• Radioactivity: Radioactive decay and its equation. Activity. Radioactive dating. Medical and other applications of radioactivity. X-ray production and spectrum. Simple radioactive detectors.

Delivery Methods / Approaches:

The teaching of this course will be carried out using the following strategies:

Method/Approach	Contact Hours
Formal Lectures	18
Tutorials	10
Practical work ( 6 x 4 hrs)	12
Total	40

Assessment Procedures/Methods:

One 2-hour theory examination paper                                                60%

Two 1-hour in-course tests (15% each)                                               30%

Laboratory work (average of 6 labs at 10% each)                              10%

 

Materials/Bibliography/Reading List

Required Textbook:

Cutnell, and Johnson; “Physics ”; 8^th Edition, 2009. ISBN 978-0-470-22355-0

Internet Sources:

1. An online suite of resources:  www.wiley.com/college/wileyplus
2. Self-assessment: www.wiley.com/college/cutnell
3. Online lectures: http://academicearth.org/courses/fundamentals-of-physics
4. Online tutorials: http://www.dmoz.org/Science/Physics/Education/Tutorials/