PHYC10160 Physics for Engineers II

Academic Year 2020/2021

This is an introductory module for first year Engineering students. The course focuses on the basic principles of Electricity, Magnetism, Quantum and Nuclear physics. These topics are studied in four themes each lasting 3 weeks.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, you will have gained a fundamental understanding of: Electricity and Magnetism, topics in quantum physics including the Bohr atom and laser, and topics in nuclear physics including radioactivity, fission and fusion. You will be able to solve numerical problems in these topic areas and in doing so will have an applied understanding of the physics that underpins Maxwells equations.

Indicative Module Content:

Syllabus: 4 themes (each of 3 weeks)
1. QUANTUM PHYSICS
Classical physics is not enough. Photoelectric effect. Einstein’s photon theory. Spectrum of Hydrogen. Bohr model of the atom. Energy level diagram. X-rays. Interactions of X-rays with matter. Laser.

2. ELECTRICITY
Brief history of electrostatics and electricity. Electric charge. Forces between charges. Electric field. Electric flux and flux density. Gauss’s law. Electric potential and its relationship to electric field. Dipoles. Capacitance. Dielectrics. Electric current. Resistance and resistivity. Conductors and insulators.

3. MAGNETISM
Brief history of magnetism and electromagnetics. Magnetic field. Magnetic flux density. Magnetic force on a current carrying wire. Hall effect. Biot-Savart law. Ampere’s law. Solenoids. Faraday’s law. Inductance: self and mutual. AC generator. Transformer. Energy stored in magnetic field. Magnetic materials. Diamagnetism, paramagnetism, ferromagnetism. Hysteresis.

4. NUCLEAR PHYSICS
Nucleus. Nuclear properties. Nuclear mass. Binding energy. Mass defect. Strong force. Fission. Fusion. Radioactivity. Law of Radioactive decay. Radiation dosage.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

36
Tutorial

5
Practical

12
Autonomous Student Learning

67
Total

120
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This course blends online learning with laboratories. Lecture notes and recorded lectures are provided. These are the core module materials. We focus to these materials and related homework problems. Homework includes doing problems and reading from the online Wiley text that most of you already have access to from first semester: “Fundamentals of Physics” 11 th (extended) edition 2018). There are live Q&A/problem solving sesesions with me at least twice a week. Labs require your attendance at college. Assessments are conducted using Brightspace, paced through semester with a final comprehensive assessment. All our online assessments are for independent working.





 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Honours Mathematics Leaving Cert (Ireland) or equivalent
Leaving Certificate Physics or equivalent
PHYC10150: Engineering Physics I (1st semester)


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Co-requisite:
PHYC10150 - Physics for Engineers I

Incompatibles:
PHYC10010 - Physics I, PHYC10020 - Physics of the Cell for lifesc, PHYC10030 - Physics of Macro-organisms, PHYC10060 - Fields, Waves & Light, PHYC10070 - Foundations of Physics, PHYC10080 - Frontiers of Physics, PHYC10090 - Physics II, PHYC10120 - Physics in Medicine, PHYC10130 - Physics II Medical Science, PHYC10140 - Diagnostic Imaging: Physics, PHYC10180 - Physics for Ag. Science, PHYC10190 - Aspects of Physics for Ag. Sci

Equivalents:
Physics for Engineers II (EXPH10160)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Homework and MCQ Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

85
Practical Examination: Labs Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

15

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Class post-discussions of each assessment are held in a subsequent session. Key aspects are addressed together as a class

Lecture notes and recorded lectures are provided. These are the core module materials. We focus to these materials and related homework problems.

Homework includes doing problems and reading from the online Wiley text that most of you already have access to from first semester: “Fundamentals of Physics” 11 th (extended) edition 2018). All assessments will be conducted using Brightspace.