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PH20114: Self-directed learning (NS Y1)

[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Physics
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • EXAMINATION (EX 100%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Description: Aims:
The aim of this unit is to allow students transferring from Natural Sciences programmes at the end of Year 1 to catch up with core Physics material that they did not cover in Year 1 of their previous programme.

Learning Outcomes:
After taking this unit the student should be able to:
* write down the essential results and formulae of special relativity;
* describe important experiments (real or thought) in special relativity;
* solve simple kinematic and dynamical special relativity problems;
* analyse the resonant response of driven simple harmonic oscillators;
* use systematic analysis methods to calculate currents and voltages in passive dc circuits;
* calculate the amplitude and phase of voltages and currents in ac circuits by means of phasor analysis;
* analyse simple operational amplifier circuits from first principles;
* qualitatively describe both transient and steady-state responses of simple LCR circuits;
* conserve linear and angular momentum in collisions;
* use the concepts of kinetic and potential energy and mechanical work to solve a range of physical problems;
* use conservation of energy to qualitatively describe the motion of particles in potentials and determine the regimes of bound and free motion;
* use the concepts of angular momentum, torque and moment of inertia to describe rotations of rigid bodies.

Skills:
Numeracy T/F A, Problem Solving T/F A.

Content:
This unit covers core Year 1 Physics material that Natural Sciences students do not take. The courses involved are Special Relativity (part of PH10103), Classical Mechanics (PH10004), and Electric Circuits (PH10003). The detailed content of each of these may be found in the relevant unit descriptions. This unit is not lectured. Students are provided with course material that forms the basis of their learning. There are weekly tutorials to provide academic support.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PH20114 is only available subject to the approval of the Physics Director of Studies/Director of Teaching.


Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.