Electricity and Atomic Physics (EAP | SEF007)

This course has its own web page.

Year: 0 | Semester: B | Level: 3 | Credits: 15

Course organiser: Dr Richard Donnison | Course deputy: Dr Alston Misquitta

Synopsis:

This is one of three courses in the Foundation Programme providing a firm grounding in the ideas and techniques of physics. The course covers various aspects of electronics and their applications in logical devices. Electronics is demonstrated through laboratory and computer simulation sessions. The basic properties of the electron and the atomic view of the atom and the nucleus are discussed, including an account of radioactive decay and nuclear energy. There is a short introduction to Quantum Physics.

Aims:

This is one of three courses in the Foundation Programme providing a firm grounding in the concepts and techniques of physics. The course covers various aspects of electronics and their applications in logical devices. The basic properties of the electron and the atomic view of the atom and the nucleus are discussed, including an account of radioactive decay and nuclear energy. There is a short introduction to Quantum Physics. Four short laboratory exercises are included as an introduction to experimental method.

Outcomes:

On completing the course, students should be able to answer questions at an appropriate level (both qualitative and quantitative) based on: circuits; charge, current, potential difference and resistance; Kirchoff's Laws; meters and bridges; capacitors; alternating current circuits; reactance, impedance and phase difference; digital eelectronics including logic gates and half adder; nuclear structure; nuclear stability and radioactivity; binding energy, fusion and fission; electrons in free fpace; the photoelectric effect; electrons inside the atom; energy levels and spectra; wave particle duality.

Recommended books:

Breithaupt, J.
New Understanding Physics for Advanced Level
Nelson Thornes, (1999)
ISBN 0-7487-4314-6
(or with Study Guide and CD ISBN 0-7487-4466-5)