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10740 (v.3) Physics for Foundation Studies 012


 

Area:

Department of Applied Physics

Credits:

25.0

Contact Hours:

6.0

Lecture:

3 x 1 Hours Weekly

Tutorial:

1 x 1 Hours Weekly

Laboratory:

2 x 2 Hours Weekly

Syllabus:

Rotational equilibrium. Static electricity, fields. Charges, Coulomb's law, conductors and insulators. Electric potential and electric energy. Storage of energy - capacitance, dielectrics, batteries, thunderstorms and deep-space power supplies. Electric current. Conventions, resistance, Ohm's law, injured athletes, safety. Electric circuits. DC and AC current, EMF, power, Kirchoff's laws, advantages of both kinds of current, transformers, welders and the nervous system. Magnetism. Fields produced by electric currents, force on a single moving charge, speakers and electron microscopes. Electromagnetic induction. Faraday's law, magnetic flux, Lenz's law, generators, motors, transformers, sunspots and Aurora. Waves - sound and light, interference, standing waves, beats, reflection, refraction, diffraction. Optics - plane, concave and convex mirrors, periscopes, telescopes and lasers. Concave and convex thin spherical lenses. Microscopes, spitting fish and weather images. Simple harmonic oscillations. Springs and pendula, energy of vibration, harmonic frequency, rocking chairs, bridges, molecules, gases, liquids, solids. The search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Materials science. The Apollo I, Apollo XIII and Challenger mission failures. Atomic physics.
 

Unit Outcomes:

mechanics, wave motion and light, electricity and magnetism, atomic physics. They will also have improved problem solving skills and improved written scientific communication skills.

Texts and references listed below are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Some units taught offshore are modified at selected locations. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information and approved offshore variations to unit information before finalising study and textbook purchases.

Unit References:

No prescribed references.

Unit Texts:

Giancoli, D.C., 1998, 'Physics. Principles with Applications', Prentice-Hall, New Jersey.
 

Unit Assessment Breakdown:

Laboratory Reports 20%. Tests 20%. Final Examination 60%.

Field of Education:

 10300 Physics and Astronomy (Narrow Grouping)

HECS Band (if applicable):

2  

Extent to which this unit or thesis utilises online information:

 Informational  

Result Type:

 Grade/Mark


Availability

YearLocationPeriodInternalArea ExternalCentral External
2004Bentley CampusSemester 2Y  

Area
External
refers to external course/units run by the School or Department, offered online or through Web CT, or offered by research.
Central
External
refers to external course/units run through the Curtin Bentley-based Distance Education Area

 
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