PHS1022 · Fields and quantum physics

Overview

This unit forms part of mainstream physics. You will study the foundations of rotational dynamics, the gravitational field, electrostatics, magnetism and quantum physics. Together these topics underpin interactions in our universe at sub-atomic to cosmic scales. In electrostatics, you will explore the electric field, potential and energy for various situations, and the behaviour of capacitors and dielectrics. In magnetism, you will cover the relation between currents, magnetic fields and induced emfs, inductance, LCR resonance, and an introduction to Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves. In waves and quantum physics you will learn about superposition, interference and diffraction, wave-particle duality for matter and light, quantisation, wave functions and probabilities, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, the hydrogen atom, and the particle-in-a-box model

Areas of study: Astrophysics Materials science Physics Physiology

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Explain and understand concepts taught in the unit such as fields, electromagnetic phenomena, waves and quantum mechanics;
2. Apply your knowledge to solve problems related to these concepts;
3. Evaluate and appraise novel situations in terms of fields, electrostatics, magnetic interaction and quantum effects;
4. Execute experiments involving simple apparatus and analyse, interpret and evaluate the results arising from them;
5. Present and communicate results of others and one's own experimentations in a scientific form.

Workload

The workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours spread across the semester (roughly 12 hours per week) - approximately an even mixture of attendance at scheduled activities and self-scheduled study time. Learning activities comprise a mixture of instructor-directed, peer-directed and self-directed learning, which includes face-to-face and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.