2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PHYS1280 Vibrations and Thermal Physics (Joint Honours)

20 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Dr Alison Voice
Email: a.m.voice@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

A level Physics and Maths or equivalent

This module is mutually exclusive with

PHYS1210	Physics 2- Properties of Matter
PHYS1250	Vibrations and Waves (Geophysics)

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Vibrations and waves are ubiquitous phenomena, occurring in widely different physical systems, from molecules to musical instruments to tectonic plates. Nevertheless, they can be described by a common mathematical approach.Thermodynamics is a fundamental branch of physics with applications as diverse as astrophysics, condensed matter, biophysics and climate change. The module will cover macroscopic effects of heat flow which can be explained by behaviour at the molecular level.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

- describe harmonic vibrations using mathematical formulae;
- calculate the properties of vibrating systems;
- describe the properties of waves and predict their motion;
- derive and utilise the wave equation;
- derive and utilise the laws of reflection and refraction;
- perform simple calculations on basic optical instruments;
- describe and differentiate between diffraction and interference of light.
- calculate heat, work and internal energy changes in ideal gases, using the 1st law, for isothermal, adiabatic, isochoric and isobaric processes;
- discuss kinetic theory and the distribution of molecular speeds;
- calculate specific heats of ideal gases, explain the equipartition principle and calculate molecular degrees of freedom;
- describe thermal properties such as expansion, conduction and radiation;
- formulate the development of the Van der Waals equation for non-ideal gases;
- interpret one-component phase diagrams.

Learning outcomes
Demonstrate a basic knowledge of common physical laws and principles, and some applications of these principles.
Identify relevant principles and laws when dealing with problems.

Skills outcomes
Understanding of basic waves, thermal physics

Syllabus

- Geometrical optics: Ray approximation, reflection, refraction, spherical mirrors, lenses, images, combining optical components;
- Oscillators: Simple, damped, driven, coupled;
- Waves on a string: Wave equation; travelling, standing & harmonic waves; superposition; wave power, dispersion;
- Sound: Pressure waves, organ pipes, beats, Doppler effect, shockwaves;
- Wave nature of light: Electromagnetic waves, interference, diffraction, Optical cavities, Fermat's principle, Huygens's principle;
- Heat Flow: Zeroth law, conduction, convection, radiation, expansion;
- Ideal Gases: Temperature scales, thermometers, ideal gas law, kinetic theory;
- Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution;
- Real Gases: Van der Waal's equation, critical point, phase change, heat capacity, latent heat;
- 1st Law: PV diagrams, isothermal and adiabatic processes, equipartition theorem;
- Dulong-Petit law;
- Entropy and 2nd law.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	33	1.00	33.00
Tutorial	17	1.00	17.00
Private study hours			150.00
Total Contact hours			50.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Reading through lecture notes and solving problems.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Marked weekly problem sheets, in weeks 2 to 10.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Problem Sheet	weekly	15.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		15.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	85.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		85.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 27/03/2014

Disclaimer

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