Aims

To introduce concepts of states of matter, and the fundamentals of wave dynamics and AC electrical circuits, to act as a foundation for later courses.

Outline Of Syllabus

States of Matter
- Bonds between atoms: ionic bonds, metallic bonds, covalent bonds, molecular bonds, comparative strength of the bonds.
- Ideal Gases: kinetic theory, specific heat of gases, mean free path.
- Gas-liquid phase transitions: modifications to the ideal gas equation, continuous and discontinuous transitions between liquids and gases, phase diagrams.
- Liquids: the role of intermolecular forces in understanding surface tension and viscosity. Order-disorder transitions: amorphous solids, liquid crystals.
- Solids: the unit cell, crystal planes, methods of determining crystal structures.
- Thermal properties of matter.

Waves & AC Theory
- Harmonic motion: dynamics and mechanical origin. Damping, quantification of damping.
- Forced harmonic motion. Resonance Superposition of SHM: beats.
- Elementary analysis of DC and AC electrical circuits. Analog of mechanical system.
- Coupled oscillations and normal modes. Physical concept of superposing normal modes and Fourier series.
- Wave motion and the wave equation in one dimension. D’Alembert’s solution of the wave equation. Waves on strings, sound waves and electromagnetic waves.
- Group and phase velocity.
- Reflection and transmission at interfaces.
- The Doppler effect

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The teaching methods are appropriate to allow students to develop a wide range of skills, from understanding basic concepts to higher-order thinking.

Lectures are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on marked work. Active participation in problem-solving workshops will help students to develop problem-solving skills.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

A substantial formal unseen examination is appropriate for the assessment of the material in this module. The format of the examination will enable students to reliably demonstrate their own knowledge, understanding and application of learning outcomes. The assurance of academic integrity forms a necessary part of programme accreditation.

Examination problems may require a synthesis of concepts and strategies from different sections, while they may have more than one ways for solution. The examination time allows the students to test different strategies, work out examples and gather evidence for deciding on an effective strategy, while carefully articulating their ideas and explicitly citing the theory they are using.

The coursework assignments allow the students to develop their problem solving techniques, to practise the methods learnt in the module, to assess their progress and to receive feedback; these assessments have a secondary formative purpose as well as their primary summative purpose.