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Semester 2

Physics of Fields and Matter (PHYS08046)

Subject

Physics and Astronomy

College

SCE

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

2

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Course Summary

This course is designed for pre-honours physics students. It provides an introduction to electromagnetic fields and the properties of matter. It serves both as a preparation for further study in physics-based degree programmes, and as a standalone course for students of other disciplines, including mathematics, chemistry, geosciences, computer science and engineering. The course consists of lectures to present new material, and workshops to develop understanding, familiarity and fluency.

Course Description

Physics of Fields (22 lectures)- Introduction and why electromagnetism is important.- Electric charge, Coulomb's Law.- Electric field from charges, dipoles and charge distributions.- Gauss's Law in integral form.- Electrostatic potential from point charges and charge distributions and link to work. - Capacitors, dielectric materials, energy stored in electric fields. - Current, resistance, RC circuits. - Magnetic field, Lorentz force on charges and current, magnetic moment and torque on current loops.- Ampere's Law in integral form, magnetic field in solenoids and toroids.- Induction, magnetic flux, Faraday's Law, Lenz's Law.- Inductance, current in inductors, RL circuits, energy in magnetic field.- Magnetic materials. Dia/Para/Ferro-magnetism. The Earth's magnetic field.- Maxwell's equations in integral form and discussion of physical implications.Physics of Matter (22 lectures)- Basic concepts. Phases; equation of state; P-V-T surface and projections, - Elementary thermal physics. Origin of phase transitions; basic thermodynamics: equilibrium (0th law); contributions to the internal energy (1st law), heat capacities and latent heat; brief mention of free energy; entropy and its statistical interpretation (2nd law), - Ideal gases. Kinetic theory; Maxwell-Boltzmann velocity distributions; sedimentation/barometric height distribution; degrees of freedom and equipartition theorem, - Non-ideal gases. Lennard-Jones type interaction; van der Waals approach; instability in PV isotherms; appearance of the liquid below Tc; phase coexistence and critical phenomena, - Liquid phase. Radial distribution function; vapour pressure; surface tension, - Flow and transport phenomena. Bernoulli's equation; viscosity; Reynolds number- Crystalline phase. Bonding types; types of order; unit cells and basis; symmetry; centring; Miller indices; crystal planes, Bragg's law; scattering of electrons, neutrons and x-rays.- Electronic properties. Metals, semiconductors, insulators.- Elasticity, plasticity, and fracture. Young's modulus; sound waves; bulk modulus; shear stress and dislocations; cracking.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 80%, Coursework 20%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Assessment Information

20% Coursework 80% ExaminationTo pass course it is required to obtain a weighted average of 40% AND to obtain 40% in the examination.

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