Program Overview

Program Overview

The program in question is PHY110 General Physics, which covers introductory mechanics, wave motion and sound, electricity and instrumentation, optics, and modern physics. A non-calculus approach is used, with applications of the principles especially relevant to biological systems and scientific instrumentation.

Subject Information

Grading System

The grading system for this subject is HD/FL.

Duration

The duration of this subject is one session.

School

This subject is part of the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• Have an understanding of units and measurement
• Have an understanding of forces and the principles governing the linear and circular motion of 'ordinary' objects
• Have an understanding of the conservation of momentum and energy
• Have an understanding of waves and sound
• Have an understanding of electrostatics, simple electric circuits, and electric meters
• Have an understanding of the forces exerted on moving electric charges and current-carrying conductors in a uniform magnetic field
• Have an understanding of ray optics
• Have an understanding of the wave nature of light and polarisation
• Have an understanding of x-rays and radioactivity
• Have an understanding of applications of the principles in a variety of areas such as biological systems, the environment, and laboratory instrumentation
  • Biological systems
  • The environment
  • Laboratory instrumentation
• Have achieved competence in conducting experiments which demonstrate some of the concepts developed in the theory
• Have achieved competence in presenting experimental results in an acceptable manner

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• Introduction to units and measurement
• Kinematics
• Statics
• Dynamics and circular motion
• Vibrations and waves
• Sound characteristics
• Interference and resonance
• Electrostatics
• DC circuits
• Meters and electromagnetism
• Geometrical optics
• Microscope
• Physical optics
• X-rays and radioactivity

Residential School

This subject contains a 4-day Compulsory Residential School.