Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Seminars / Tutorials | 4 X 1 hour workshops |
| Lecture | 18 X 1 hour lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Written Examination | 70% |
| Semester Assessment | Example Sheets | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Resit Failed Components | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Describe the basic principles of geometric and physical optics and their use in optical instruments and techniques
2. Understand diffraction and the limits to resolution for optical instruments
3. Describe the operation of a laser and give examples of the use of the coherence properties of laser light
4. Understand the principles of the zeroth, first and second laws of thermodynamics and apply the three laws to solve associated problems
5. Understand the principles of kinetic theory and explain variations of heat capacity of gases with temperature in terms of population of energy levels
6. Identify the principal thermodynamic steps in the operation of heat engines, calculate efficiencies and be familiar with the basic concepts of reversibility and entropy.
Brief description
Optics is one of the most successful branches of classical physics and applications occur throughout technology, ranging from microscopy through to photonics. This course will cover the basic theory of geometrical and physical optics and discuss applications of these areas in modern technology.
The origins of macroscopic classical physics are in the microscopic world of electrons, atoms and molecules and many phenomena at this level can be inferred at least qualitatively from classical ideas. The thermal physics component of this module deals with material properties and processes related to the conversion of heat and work and vice versa and thermal processes can be understood both at the atomic as well as the macroscopic level.
The laws of thermodynamics are derived from empirical observations of gases and the concepts of heat, work; reversibility, entropy and the steady state, central to many other areas of physics are introduced. Kinetic theory and the concept of entropy is also introduced.
Aims
The module develops the principles and techniques of geometrical optics and the wave nature of light and also introduces thermal physics with discussion of macroscopic and microscopic processes including an introduction to kinetic theory. Emphasis will be placed on the solution of problems through example sheets that will include numerical exercises. This module is as a core module for honours degree schemes in physics and prepares students for the modern physics modules in part two.
Content
1. The nature of electromagnetic waves.
2. The electromagnetic spectrum.
3. Basic operation of lasers. Types of lasers.
4. Reflection at curved surfaces.
5. Mirror formulae and sign convention.
6. Refraction of light. Snell's law.
7. Refraction at curved surfaces.
8. Simple optical instruments.
9. Interference (Michelson interferometer, Fabry-Perot etalon).
10. Diffraction (Fraunhofer, single slit, double slit).
THERMODYNAMICS
1. Ideal gas.
2. The kinetic theory of gases, Maxwell-Boltzmann, rms, mean, probable speeds.
3. Zeroth law of thermodynamics, thermal equilibrium.
4. Temperature, temperature scales and thermal expansion.
5. The first law of thermodynamics, heat, work, internal energy, isothermal, isobaric, and adiabatic processes, heat capacity, latent heat.
6. Second law of thermodynamics, heat engines, refrigerators, heat pumps, Kelvin-Planck, Clausius statements, reversible and irreversible processes, the Carnot cycle, thermodynamic temperature scale.
7. Entropy, the principle of increasing entropy, entropy and probability.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | All questions set in example sheets and formal exams have numerical problems. |
| Communication | |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | The electronic homework packages are designed to encourage self-directed learning and improve performance. This is to be assessed via the online grade books. |
| Information Technology | Students will be expected to research topics within the module via the internet. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The module will highlight the latest technological developments in these fields and will contribute to career development. |
| Problem solving | Problem solving skills are developed throughout this module and tested in assignments and in the written examination. |
| Research skills | Directed reading and the electronic homework package will allow students to explore the background to the lecture modules. This will be addressed by the online homework. Students will also be set problems in lectures which will entail research in library and over the internet. |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4