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2021/22 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 2021/22

Pre-requisite qualifications

A level Physics and Maths or equivalent

This module is mutually exclusive with

PHYS1210Physics 2- Properties of Matter
PHYS1250Vibrations 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 typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture331.0033.00
Tutorial151.0015.00
Private study hours152.00
Total Contact hours48.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Reading through lecture notes and solving problems.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Marked problem sheets

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Online AssessmentOnline Mid-Term Assessment20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)20.00

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


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Online Time-Limited assessment2 hr 00 mins80.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)80.00

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. 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 website

Last updated: 12/07/2021 13:47:39

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