2020/21 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 2020/21
Pre-requisite qualifications
A level Physics and Maths or equivalentThis 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
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module you should be able to:
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of common physical laws and principles in the topics of vibrations, waves and thermodynamics.
• Identify and apply these principles and laws when dealing with problems.
Skills outcomes
Understanding, explanation, derivation and problem solving in vibrations, waves, and thermodynamics.
Syllabus
Vibrations and Waves:
Oscillators: Simple, damped, driven, coupled.
Travelling and standing waves; wave equation.
Waves on strings, sounds waves, Doppler Effect.
Wave nature of light; interference, diffraction, reflection, refraction.
Mirrors, lenses, optical cavities.
Thermodynamics
0th, 1st, 2nd laws of Thermodynamics
Conduction, convection, radiation; expansion.
Kinetic theory, ideal gases, Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, equipartition.
Real gases, van der Waals equation, phase changes.
PV diagrams, entropy.
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Office Hour Discussions | 11 | 1.00 | 0.00 |
Lecture | 33 | 1.00 | 33.00 |
Tutorial | 15 | 1.00 | 15.00 |
Private study hours | 152.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 48.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 |
Private study
Reading through lecture notes and solving problems.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Marked problem sheetsMethods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Online Assessment | Online Mid-Term Assessment | 30.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 30.00 |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
Online Time-Limited assessment | 48 hr 00 mins | 70.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 70.00 |
Same as PHYS1210. Students will have to complete an online assessment at the end of the module. This will take place during the examinations period at the end of the semester and will be time bound. The assessment will not take 48 hours to complete, but students will have a 48 hour time period in which to complete it. Students are required to pass all assessments for this module in order to pass the module overall.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 12/10/2020 15:48:24
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