Synoptic Physics (SYN | SPA6300)

Year: 3 | Semester: A | Level: 6 | Credits: 0

Course organiser: Dr Chris Clarkson | Course deputy:

Synopsis:

Required for all third year physics administered students. A study only course providing highly structured tutorials aimed at bringing together and summarising the main elements of physics. At the end of the course the student should be able to answer oral questions addressed to the generality of any topic within the area of study known as Physics and especially within the subjects of Gravitational and Rotational Forces, Electromagnetism and Lorentz Forces, Optics and Interference, Thermodynamics and Nuclear and Astro Physics. In addition the student should be able to respond to more detailed questions on the subject of any project they are in course of conducting. In all cases the student should be able to demonstrate an intimate knowledge of the help provided by dimensional analysis, symmetry and conservation rules.

Aims:

Synoptics Physics is a course of structured tutorials aimed at bringing togther and summarising the main elements of the subject we know as Physics. This can only be done in the third year of study for a BSc or MSci degree since it presupposes a familiarity with the Physics core courses. There is emphasis on understanding common ideas of a logical, reductive, scientific method based on relatively few principles. The recurring power of conservation rules and dimensional analysis are stressed. The tutorial environment and introductory lectures are used as a means of training the students to deal with interview techniques in general and oral examinations in physics in particular.

Outcomes:

At the end of the course the students should be able to answer oral questions addressed to the generality of any topic within the area of study known as Physics and especially within the subjects of Gravitational and Rotational Forces, Electromagnetism and Lorentz Forces, Optics and Interference, Thermodynamics, Quantum Physics and Nuclear and Astro Physics. The student should be able to repond to more detailed questions on the subject of any project they are in course of conducting, but should also be able to see how this detailed material fits into the general stucture of the subject we know as physics. In all cases the student should be able to demonstrate an intimate knowledge of the help provided by dimensional analysis, symmetry and conservation rules.

Recommended books:

Walker, J.
The Flying Circus of Physics
Wiley, (1978)
ISBN 0-471-02984-X

Feynman, R.P., et al
The Feynman Lectures on Physics Vols 1-3
Addison Wesley, (1975)
ISBN 0-201-02115-3