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| Unit name |
Classical Physics 203 |
| Unit code |
PHYS21030 |
| Credit points |
30 |
| Level of study |
I/5
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. Heinrich Hoerber |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
PHYS10005, PHYS10006, or equivalent
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
School of Physics |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Science |
Description including Unit Aims
Classical Physics comprises much of the core of physics, built on the foundations developed in the 19th century and underpinning many current developments. This unit builds on the foundations from level C and comprises Thermal Physics, Mechanics and Waves and Electromagnetism. The laws of thermodynamics are introduced and related to the statistical physics understanding of bulk phenomena through the Boltzmann distribution and the canonical distribution function. The effect of identical particles is briefly introduced. The mechanics of rigid bodies is discussed. General features of waves including dispersion are covered. Maxwell's equations in vacuo and in simple solids form the basis of a discussion of wave phenomena, including polarisation, diffraction from crystals and the effect of boundaries in the specific case of electromagnetic waves. Magnetic materials are also briefly discussed.
Aims:
- To introduce students to a core of classical physics including thermodynamics, statistical physics, rigid body mechanics, electromagnetism, coupled oscillators and waves.
- To develop an understanding of the relationship of idealised models of gases and solids related to the underlying structure through statistical mechanics.
- To introduce the mechanics of rigid bodies.
- To introduce Maxwell's equations and show how these underpin all electromagnetic phenomena. To show how electromagnetic phenomena are affected by materials.
- To develop a familiarity with the properties of waves.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Gain an appreciation of the broad thrust of classical physics and its wide applicability.
- Appreciate the microscopic origin of macroscopic thermodynamics and be able to derive simple results in thermodynamics from a microscopic description for simple systems.
- Understand the concepts of entropy, free energy and chemical potential and be able to manipulate thermodynamic expressions to derive simple results.
- Be able to perform simple calculations involving temperature and pressure dependence of phase transitions.
- Appreciate the different distributions of fermions and bosons and the relevance for thermodynamical effects.
- Be able to perform calculations on the rotational motion of rigid bodies.
- Appreciate the properties of waves and be able to perform simple calculations for a wide-range of systems.
- Understand dispersion in 1D waves.
- Be able to perform simple calculations for non-dispersive waves in three dimensions.
- Be able to derive the diffraction patterns for simple apertures in the Fraunhofer limit.
- Know Maxwell's equations and able to deduce from them the equations relevant to simple electrostatic cases and be able to solve problems in these cases.
- Understand the nature of dielectric materials, magnetic materials and their effect on electromagnetic waves.
- Understand reflection and transmission of waves at interfaces
- Be able to to deduce Snell's law and the Brewster angle.
- Understand the microscopic properties of dielectrics, electric susceptibility and polarisability.
- Be able to calculate the magnetic field from currents flowing in simple geometries.
Teaching Information
Lectures, Problems Classes
Assessment Information
Written Examination. Attendance at Problem Classes is a criterion for the award of credit points.
Reading and References
Kleppner and Kolenkow - An introduction to mechanics Kibble and Berkshire - Classical Mechanics Fowles - Introduction to Modern Optics Feynman - Lectures on Physics Vol 1
Duffin Electricity and Magnetism Grant and Phillips Electromagnetism Mandl Statistical Physics Adkins Equilibrium Thermodynamics Crawford Waves Vol 3
