PHYC20080 Fields, Waves and Light

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module introduces periodic motion, wave motion, propagating and standing waves, sound, Doppler effect, electric and magnetic fields, and light. Topics covered include wave characteristics, fields and field lines, potentials, charges and currents as sources of electric and magnetic fields and their unification in electromagnetic waves and light. Wave phenomena such as interference and diffraction will be introduced, and reflection, refraction and polarization will be explored.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students will be able to relate the properties of waves to observations of sound, light, and other wave phenomena. Students will comprehend the similarities between wave phenomena across a broad range of natural and technologically relevant cases. Students will appreciate the concept of fields and potentials, as well as understand the basic laws of electromagnetism and how they can be applied to practical cases of interest. Students will achieve a standard appropriate for further study in physics and related fields.

Indicative Module Content:

Harmonic motion
Waves on a string
Harmonic waves
Sound waves
Interference
Electric charges
Electric fields
Potentials
Current
Resistance
Capacitance
Magnetic fields
Induction
Electromagnetic waves
Light
Diffraction
Imaging
Polarization
Lasers

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

10
Seminar (or Webinar)

1
Practical

12
Autonomous Student Learning

74
Total

121
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, problem-based learning, and lab-based learning (all on campus). 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Must be taken in first or second year. Students must have a minimum H3 in both Leaving Cert Physics and Maths (or equivalent) to take this module in first year

Learning Recommendations:

PHYC10070 - Foundations of Physics


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PHYC10010 - Physics I, PHYC10020 - Physics of the Cell for lifesc, PHYC10030 - Physics of Macro-organisms, 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 of our Environment (EXPH10060), Fields, Waves & Light (PHYC10060)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade

Not yet recorded.

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Lab report feedback will be provided after completion and correction of lab report typically 2 weeks later (online lab submission and correction). A selected subset of tutorial problem sheets (online completion) will be graded within 2 weeks after completion. Grades will be made available online for individual students.

Young and Freedman "University Physics" (with modern physics) 14th Edition (recommended)
Name Role
Ms Laura Cotter Tutor
Ms Angela Dunne O'Toole Tutor
Dr Ian Mercer Tutor