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2019/20 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LLLC0168 Physics and Mechanics for Earth and Environment

30 creditsClass Size: 20

Module manager: Ellen Avery
Email: e.r.avery@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

Co-requisites

LLLC0113Mathematics and Statistics for Earth and Environment

Module replaces

LLLC 0116LLLC 0136

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

The aim of this module is to provide students with the core concepts and techniques in Physics within the areas of Waves, Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism, Thermal Physics and Modern Physics . It will develop their knowledge and understanding of key physics concepts and their applications across science and engineering disciplines.

Learning outcomes
At the end of this module students should be able to:
- Describe the properties of waves, and how waves interfere to produce standing waves and interference patterns.
- Determine the path of a light ray through different media.
- Apply Newton's laws of motion to systems in equilibrium and rigid bodies moving under the action of simple systems of forces.
- Use vectors to solve problems in mechanics.
- Articulate the concepts of momentum, work, energy and power, and how these are related.
- Apply the basic principles of electricity and electric fields, and apply these to solve problems involving simple circuits.
- Articulate the principles of electromagnetic induction and its applications in the modern world.
- Describe how heat is transported through different media and articulate the effect of changes in temperature in solids, liquids and gases.
- Describe the structure of the atom and how this relates to radioactive decay.


Skills outcomes
- The ability to model a physical problem.
- The ability to solve physical problems using mathematics.
- The ability to use the knowledge gained in this module in new situations and to solve related problems.
- To gain practical experimental skills in physics.
- The ability to be able to describe, explain and interpret results in physics terms and be able to apply mathematical methods to analyse results.


Syllabus

Lectures, laboratory practicals and workshop activities will include:
- Geometrical optics; reflection and refraction, Snell’s Law.
- Progressive waves; standing waves, diffraction and interference of light waves.
- Scalars, vectors, force, moments, energy and work;
- Newton's laws, equations of motion for constant acceleration, conservation of energy and momentum; Circular motion and simple harmonic motion;
- Newton’s Law of Gravity (inverse square laws) and Gravitational fields.
- Electric charge, current, potential difference and resistance; using Kirchhoff’s Laws to solve simple circuits
- Coulomb’s Law and electric fields; Capacitance; Magnetism and electromagnetic Induction and its application in motors and transformers; AC current.
- Temperature, temperature scales, absolute zero; Heat as energy; Heat transfer, conduction, convection and radiation; Specific heat capacity, latent heat; Kinetic Theory; Gas laws.
- The structure of the atom; emission and absorption spectra; the structure of the nucleus, radioactivity, decay routes; binding energy, fission and fusion; the decay constant.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Workshop202.0040.00
Lecture402.0080.00
Practical201.0020.00
Independent online learning hours30.00
Private study hours130.00
Total Contact hours140.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)300.00

Private study

Independent on-line learning: 30

Private Study:

Reading: 20
Working example problems: 40
Preparing coursework: 20
Revision: 50

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Problem sets (coursework); midterm exam; and short essays. Reflection with essay/exam wrapper activities.
Weekly practical sessions to develop understanding via worksheets and demonstrations

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
In-course Assessment1 x 45 minutes in-course exam5.00
Written Work10 x 2 hour problem sets20.00
Written WorkPoster based on laboratory work10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)35.00

Resits are not available for individual coursework elements in the module. Attendance is required for coursework elements which are linked to an assessment available only at that specific time, such as the midterm.


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Unseen exam 2 hr 30 mins30.00
Unseen exam 2 hr 30 mins35.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)65.00

Resits for the exam component of the module will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt during the July Resit period in most cases or during the next available opportunity.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 12/12/2018 10:48:53

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