SFY0015 : Foundation Physics A
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Tiago Marinheiro
- Lecturer: Dr Adrian Oila
- Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To introduce the basic aspects of forces, fields, thermal physics, atomic and nuclear physics are introduced without a requirement for A level physics. The module includes a practical work element.
Outline Of Syllabus
Mechanics
Kinematics: units, dimensions, scalar and vector quantities, velocity, acceleration.
Forces: momentum, impulse, conservation of momentum, collisions. Newton’s laws. Gravitational and inertial mass.
Energy: work, energy, power, potential energy, conservation of energy.
Circular motion: angular velocity and acceleration, centripetal and centrifugal forces. Rotation about centre of mass, moment of inertia, angular momentum.
Fields: gravitational fields, potential and potential energy in fields. Inverse square law.
Structure of the atom
Atomic physics: Rutherford scattering experiment. The wave/particle nature of light. The photo- electric effect. The photon and atomic structure. The Bohr model of the hydrogen atom. The spectrum of atomic hydrogen. Multi-electron atoms. The Periodic Table. X-rays. X-ray production. Spectra. Absorption. Applications
Nuclear Physics: Atomic number, atomic weight, isotopes. Stability of nuclei.
Natural radioactivity: alpha, beta and gamma radiation. Sources of radiation. Half-life. Equation of radioactive decay.
Thermal & Material Physics
Temperature: temperature scales and thermometers.
Heat: Heat capacity and calorimetry. Heat transfer. Conduction. Convection. Radiation.
States of matter: Kinetic theory of gases. Ideal gas laws. Thermal expansion of solids and liquids. Elastic properties. Phase changes. Latent heats.
Experimental Physics
Experimental physics is introduced, providing practice in the basic skills in scientific measurement and a background to the theoretical concepts taught in the module.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Problem solving sessions |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 33 | 1:00 | 33:00 | Lecture (Approx. 3 per week) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 18:00 | 18:00 | Exam revision |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:30 | 2:30 | Written exam |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 2 | 8:00 | 16:00 | 2 x In course assessment - problem solving exercises each requires: 5hrs preparation, 3hrs completion |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Asynchronous materials |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 6 | 3:00 | 18:00 | 6 Practical sessions. Includes worksheet submission |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 33 | 1:00 | 33:00 | Lecture Follow Up |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 51:30 | 51:30 | Background reading and research to re-enforce knowledge and understanding |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | Reviewing learning at practical sessions |
| Total | 200:00 |
Jointly Taught With
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| SFY0022 | Mechanics |
| SFY0028 | Concepts in Thermal and Quantum Physics |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lecture materials, lectures and notes provide all the knowledge-based requirements of the course. In addition the Online videos, Lectures and Problem solving sessions allows the material to be covered several times and reinforced through different methods. Pedagogically this should result in better understanding and increased retention.
The problem solving classes will help with general problem solving and to solidify their mathematical skills.
The practical part will link the lecture material with real life applications and provides an opportunity for the students to develop laboratory skills.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 150 | 1 | A | 68 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 6 | assessed by a worksheet which must be completed within the lab. |
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 6 | assessed by a worksheet which must be completed within the lab. |
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 6 | assessed by a worksheet which must be completed within the lab. |
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | 7 | Small in-course assessment. Contains 10-15 questions |
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | 7 | Small in-course assessment. Contains 10-15 questions |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | Formative practical |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The module is intended to provide a factual knowledge base. A formal written examination is most appropriate in this case. In addition, the format of the examination will enable students to reliably demonstrate their own knowledge, understanding and application of learning outcomes.
The in course assessments 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.
The practical sessions require an assessment to ensure that students engage positively with the tasks, and that the practical skill component of the intended skill outcomes is assessed.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- SFY0015's Timetable