2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PHAS0030 Fields and Electricity

10 creditsClass Size: 150

Module manager: TBC

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

GCSE in Mathematics and Science-Physics or GCSE in Mathematics and Science Double Award.

Module replaces

PHYS0035 Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module is designed for students who have not had the opportunity of an Advanced Level (A level) education in Physics. This module covers the basics of gravitational, electrical and magnetic fields and electric circuits to an A level equivalent standard. This module will prepare students for entry to level 1 of an appropriate degree programme. The only prerequisite is GCSE level mathematics, or equivalent.

Objectives

On completion of the module students should be able to:

- perform calculations involving electrostatic force and electrostatic potential
- contrast the concepts of gravitational and electrostatic fields
- perform calculations involving inverse square laws of fields
- understand circular motion in its application to orbiting bodies
- carry out calculations relating voltage, current and power in simple DC circuits
- use the relationships between charge, voltage and capacitance of a capacitor
- recall that moving charges give rise to magnetic effects
- carry out calculations involving the force on a moving charge or current in a magnetic field
- carry out calculations involving magnetic fields produced by currents
- describe the laws of electromagnetic induction
- perform calculations involving emfs produced by changing magnetic fields
- recall the ideas concerning alternating currents
- carry out calculations on capacitors, inductors and transformers

This module forms part of a package of three modules (PHYS0016, PHYS0025 and PHYS0036) which will prepare students for entry to the level 1 Physics component of an appropriate degree programme and in conjunction with suitable modules at the same level in other subjects will prepare students for entry to a level 1 Engineering degree.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of:
- The Universal Law of Gravitation, gravitational fields and gravitational potential.
- Coulombs Law, electric fields and electrical potential difference.
- DC electricity, simple electrical components and Kirchhoff’s Laws.
- Magnetic fields and electromagnetism.
- Electromagnetic induction, Faraday’s Law and Lenz’ Law.
- AC electricity and transformers.

Skills outcomes
Problem Solving in basic Physics:
- The ability to model a physical problem
- The ability to solve physical problems using mathematics.

Syllabus

- Gravity Gravitation, law of universal gravitation, gravitational force, gravitational potential, gravitational field. ‘Weighing’ the earth. Acceleration due to gravity, satellites, orbitals, escape speed.

-Electrostatics Static charges, Coulomb’s Law, electrical fields, electric potential, potential difference, permittivity.

- DC Electricity Charge and current. Electric fields and capacitors. Potential difference. Resistance and Resistivity. Kirchhoff’s Laws and simple circuits. Batteries.

- Magnetism Moving charges. Magnets and their fields. The link between electricity and magnetism-electromagnetism. Fields due to currents, flux density for a very long straight wire and a very long solenoid. Force on a current in a magnetic field.

- Electromagnetic Induction Electromagnetic induction. Magnetic flux, Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws, induced emf, generators, alternating currents, motors, back emf, transformers. Self-inductance.

- AC Electricity Alternating voltages and currents. Power in ac circuits. Electricity distribution and transformers.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	10	1.00	10.00
Lecture	20	1.00	20.00
Private study hours			70.00
Total Contact hours			30.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Private study: 67 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative assessment in-lecture questions and workshop questions.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course Assessment	Regular Coursework	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		20.00

Resits will be in standard exam format.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 30 mins	80.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		80.00

Students will have to complete an in-person exam 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.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 06/08/2024 15:31:41

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