Unit name | Classical Physics I: Thermal Physics, Oscillations and Mechanics |
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Unit code | PHYS20007 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | I/5 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
Unit director | Dr. Barnes |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites | |
Co-requisites |
Classical Physics II: Electromagnetism and Waves |
School/department | School of Physics |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Classical Physics comprises much of the core of physics, built on the foundations developed in the 17th to 19th centuries and underpinning all of 'modern' physics.
This unit builds on level C/4 material in the areas of Thermal Physics, Oscillations and Mechanics. 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. Methods to analyse the motion of systems with many degrees of freedom are presented. The significance of conservation principles in mechanics is discussed, using central force motion as an example system. Mechanics in non-inertial reference frames is introduced. The treatment of rotation and angular momentum is extended into three dimensions, allowing a full understanding of the motion of rigid bodies.
Aims:
To introduce students to a core of classical physics including thermodynamics, statistical physics, rigid body mechanics, central force motion, and coupled oscillators.
Students will:
Lectures, Problems classes
Written examination
Blundell and Blundell - Concepts in Thermal Physics
Kleppner and Kolenkow - An Introduction to Mechanics
Kibble and Berkshire - Classical Mechanics