2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PHAS1040 Vibrations, Waves and Optics

Module manager: Julian Pittard
Email: j.m.pittard@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

'A' Level Physics and Maths or equivalent

Co-requisites

PHAS1000	First Year Physics Assessment
PHAS1010	Mechanics, Relativity and Astrophysics
PHAS1020	Thermodynamics
PHAS1030	Electronics, Solid State and Introduction to Quantum Physics
PHAS1050	Coding and Experimental Physics

Module replaces

PHYS1210

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module covers the fundamental underpinning theories of vibrations, waves, and optics. It also develops the required underlying mathematical techniques using complex numbers, solutions to second order differential equations and Fourier series.

Objectives

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, which this module provides.
In vibrations and waves, students will learn about oscillators, energy and resonance, different types of waves, energy/power transfer, reflection and transmission, impedance, superposition and interference, the wave-like behaviour of light, mirrors, lenses, nonlinear optics and lasers, the solution of 2nd order partial differential equations, complex numbers, fourier series and an introduction to Fourier transforms.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of the following:
In Vibrations and Waves:
1. Damped and Driven harmonic oscillators
2. Travelling waves, impedance and sound

In Optics:
3. Diffraction and Interference (including Fourier Series and Transforms)
4. Laws of Reflection and Refraction (Geometrical optics) (including total internal reflection and evanescent waves)
5. Polarisation, birefringence
6. Introduction to non-linear optics and lasers

In general:
7. Solutions to second order differential equations representing waves.
8. Application of complex numbers to the solution of the wave equation and problems in optics.
9. Fourier series and introductory Fourier transforms as applied to waves and optics.

Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to do the following:
1. Manage time and plan work to meet deadlines
2. Problem solving
3. Application of appropriate mathematics

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	50	1.00	50.00
Tutorial	6	1.00	6.00
Independent online learning hours			24.00
Private study hours			120.00
Total Contact hours			56.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Coursework	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

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: 13/05/2024

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