Module Identifier PH23620  
Module Title MODERN PHYSICS  
Academic Year 2003/2004  
Co-ordinator Professor Geraint Vaughan  
Semester Semester 1  
Pre-Requisite PH10110 , PH10310  
Course delivery Lecture   40 Hours 40 X 1 hour Lectures  
  Seminars / Tutorials   4  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours  70%
Semester Assessment Course work: Example sheets and Tutorials30%
Supplementary Exam2 Hours  100%

Learning outcomes

On Completion of the module students should be able to:

Brief description

This module will provide a systematic understanding of the principles of modern physics from its origins to classical physics. The two strands will be used to develop the central concepts of dynamics, energy, mmentum and rotational motion embodied in Newton's Laws and the way in which these are altered in Einstein's theory of Special Relativity. The counter-intuitive concepts of Quantum Physics like wave-particle duality will be formualted and contrasted with the concepts of Classical Physics. Both apporached will be used to accurately predict physical phenomena in space and time, both on the macroscopic and on the microscopic scale. This will enable uncertainty and ambiguity to be understood at the quantum level and the precise orbits of the planets to be appreciated on astronomical scales. It will also provide the conceptual framework for understnding the fundumental properties of atoms, molecules and materials.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
P.A. Tippler Physics for Scientists and Engineers Freeman Worth 1572596732
** Supplementary Text
A.P. French Newtonian Mechanics Van Nostrand Reinhold
A.P. French Special Relativity Van Nostrand Reinhold
Beiser Concepts of Modern Physics McGraw-Hill
Wher, Richards and Adair Physics of the Atom Addison-Wesley

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5