Undergraduate Course: Physics and Mathematics for Direct Entry (PHYS08057)
Course Outline
| School | School of Physics and Astronomy |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | THIS COURSE IS FOR DIRECT ENTRY STUDENTS ONLY and cannot be taken as an outside course. It provides an introduction to classical dynamics, waves, basic algebra, and basic calculus. The course consists of lectures to present new material, and workshops to develop understanding, familiarity and fluency. |
| Course description |
Classical Dynamics and Waves (20 lectures):
Revision of elementary statics & dynamics
Statics forces, resolution of forces into components. Force diagrams.
Laws of motion in two and three dimensions: Newton's Laws in vector form. Conservation of linear momentum.
Concept of reference frames, relative motion, laws of motion in this notation.
Force/Work relation, conservation of energy (kinetic and potential), dynamic and static friction.
Further dynamics:
Centre-of-mass of points and solid bodies
Linear momentum of system of particles, centre-of-mass frame, elastic collision in centre-of-mass frame.
Full dynamics in one-dimension: use of differential equations, Rocket equations, friction, air resistance etc).
Rotational motion, torque, angular acceleration and angular momentum of set of particles.
Moment-of-inertia of sets of particles and rigid bodies, central axis theorem, angular equations of motion, energy relations.
Waves & vibrations:
Introduction to waves, waves propagating in 1 dimension, the wave equation
Superposition principle, interference, normal modes, the Fourier principle
Classical wave theory of light, Huygens principle, diffraction, link to quantum mechanics, Young's slits
Electromagnetic theory of light, refractive indices, refraction, total internal refraction
Mechanical waves, Doppler effects, Mechanical vibrations, simple harmonic motion, damping
Basic Algebra & Calculus (20 lectures) :
Basic Algebra. Manipulating expressions. Squares. Polynomials. Factorization. Quadratic and root equations (3)
Functions. Inequalities. Moduli. Exponentials and logarithms. Curve sketching. Series expansions. Harmonic potentials. (3)
Geometry and trigonometry. Trig functions. Lines and circles. Conic sections. (3)
Complex numbers. Complex algebra. Argand diagram. Euler and de-Moivre. (2)
Derivatives. Differentiation of standard functions. Composite functions. Higher derivatives. (3)
Elementary Ordinary Differential Equations. (3)
Integrals. Standard integrals. Integrating by parts. Substitution. (3)
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 40,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 50,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2,
Formative Assessment Hours 2,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Revision Session Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
98 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
100% continuous assessment
Physics Assignments (25%)
Mathematics Assignments (25%)
Mathematics Class Test (25%)
Physics Class Test (25%) |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Show fluency and confidence in the principles and techniques of basic algebra and calculus, classical dynamics, and waves.
- Apply these principles and techniques to solve problems in basic algebra and calculus, classical dynamics, and waves.
- Present a solution to a physics or mathematics problem in a clear and logical written form.
- Assess whether a solution to a given problem is physically reasonable.
- Locate and use additional sources of information (to include discussion with peers and use of computer algebra packages where appropriate) to facilitate independent problem-solving.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Physics,Mathematics,Direct Entry |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Jamie Cole
Tel: (0131 6)50 5999
Email: R.J.Cole@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Emma Summers
Tel: (0131 6)51 7524
Email: esummer2@ed.ac.uk |
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