Fields and Waves (F&W | SEF006)

This course has its own web page.

Year: 0 | Semester: B | Level: 3 | Credits: 15

Course organiser: Dr Andrei Sapelkin | Course deputy: Dr David Tsiklauri

Synopsis:

This is one of three courses in the Foundation Programme providing a firm grounding in the concepts, facts and techniques of physics. This course considers the phenomena connected with gravity, electromagnetism, light and sound. It stresses the idea of describing natural phenomena by fields and the widespread occurrence of wave motion in various areas in physics.

Aims:

This course is intended as a sequel to SEF-005 (Mechanics and Materials) and PHY-105 (Principles of Mechanics and Materials). It will introduce students to the role of fields in physics, and in particular the gravitational and electromagnetic fields. The course will also treat wave motion, and relevant related topics in the physics of sound and optics.

Outcomes:

On completing the course, students should be able to answer questions at an appropriate level (both qualitative and quantitative) based on: gravitational fields: force and potential, Newton's theory of gravitation, planetary fields, satellite motion; electric fields: field patterns, uniform electric fields, parallel plate capacitors, the inverse square law, charged spheres; magnetic fields: magnetic field patterns, magnetic field strength, motors and meters, charged particles in magnetic fields, field formulae for current-carrying wires; electromagnetic Induction: the principles of electromagnetic induction, generators, induction motors, transformers, self-inductance; oscillations: describing oscillations, principles of simple harmonic motion, oscillation of loaded springs, the simple pendulum, energy of oscillating systems, forced oscillation and resonance, wave motion: progressive waves, measuring waves, wave properties, stationary waves, mechanical waves and resonance; sound: nature of sound waves, properties of sound, resonance of air columns, vibrations of strings and wires, the Doppler effect; physical Optics: the wave nature of light, interference by thin film, diffraction by slits and obstacles, diffraction gratings and spectra; optical Instruments: mirrors, lenses, the eye, the camera, microscopes, telescopes, electromagnetic Waves: the nature of electromagnetic waves, radio waves and microwaves, infra-red radiation, ultra-violet radiation, polarization of electromagnetic waves, the speed of light.

Recommended books:

Breithaupt, J.
New Understanding Physics for Advanced Level
Nelson Thornes, (1999)
ISBN 0-7487-4314-6
(or with Study Guide and CD ISBN 0-7487-4466-5)
[essential]