PH03010 - INTRODUCTION TO THE PHYSICS OF MATTER

Module Identifier

PH03010

Module Title

INTRODUCTION TO THE PHYSICS OF MATTER

Academic Year

2003/2004

Co-ordinator

Dr Sian A Jones

Semester

Semester 1

Other staff

Dr Geraint O Thomas

Pre-Requisite

GCSE Mathematics and Science or equivalent

Co-Requisite

None

Mutually Exclusive

Not available to students on 3 year BSc (Hons) or 4 year MPhys schemes

Course delivery

Lecture

20 Hours

Seminars / Tutorials

3 Hours Tutorial.

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Exam	2 Hours	80%
Semester Assessment	Continuous Assessment: 1 open book test in week 6 and 1 closed book test in week11	20%

Learning outcomes

After taking this module students should be able to:

Describe the structure of the atom and electron energy levels.
Describe types of bonds between atoms and molecules, and their relative strengths.
Describe the structures and properties of solids - amorphous and crystalline.
Describe the thermal properties of solids, liquids and gases.
Calculate the effects of stresses on solids.
Describe the concept of an ideal gas, apply the gas laws and equation of state.
Explain the effects of heat and work on matter using the First Law of Thermodynamics.
Perform calculations related to the First Law of Thermodynamics.

Brief description

Matter consists of atoms and molecules in solid, liquid or gas phase. The structure and size of atoms - protons, neutrons and electrons are first discussed. Quantisation of energy and ionisation potential. Molecular structure is discussed with emphasis on the types of bonding between atoms and molecules. The influences of temperature on the properties of matter is then considered. The behaviour of solids undergoing stress and strain. A simple model of an ideal gas as a collection of hard spheres is shown to lead to an understanding of transport properties of gases and deviations from ideal behaviour. Properties of gases are examined from the point of view of the First Law of Thermodynamics.

Content

Atomic structure - Protons, neutrons, electrons, isotopes and radioactive decay.
Avogadro's constant and the mole.
Emission spectra and electron energy levels within atoms.
Ionic, covalent, metallic bonding.
Interatomic and intermolecular forces.
Structure of solids and associated physical properties.
Specific heat capacity and latent heat, thermal conductivity.
Solids - stress and strain, elasticity, Young'r modulus.
Ideal gases - gas laws, equation of state.
Isochoric, isothermal, isobaric processes.
Thermal properties of matter - heat, work, internal energy.
First law of thermodynamics.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
M. Nelkon and P. Parker Advanced Level Physics Heinemann Educational 0 435 686682
Keller, Gettys and Skove Physics Classical and Modern McGaw-Hill

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 3