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.