PHYSICS
PHYSICS (81 hours)
Course Description: Physics is the most fundamental of the experimental sciences, as it seeks to explain the universe itself from the very smallest particles—currently accepted as quarks, which may be truly fundamental—to the vast distances between galaxies. Classical physics, built upon the great pillars of Newtonian mechanics, electromagnetism and thermodynamics, went a long way in deepening our understanding of the universe. From Newtonian mechanics came the idea of predictability in which the universe is deterministic and knowable. This led to Laplace’s boast that by knowing the initial conditions—the position and velocity of every particle in the universe—he could, in principle, predict the future with absolute certainty. Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism described the behaviour of electric charge and unified light and electricity, while thermodynamics described the relation between energy transferred due to temperature difference and work and described how all natural processes increase disorder in the universe.
Aim of the Course:
Through studying physics, students should become aware of how scientists work and communicate with each other. While the scientific method may take on a wide variety of forms, it is the emphasis on a practical approach through experimental work that characterises these subjects. The aims enable students, through the overarching theme of the nature of science, to:
- Appreciate scientific study and creativity within a global context through stimulating and challenging opportunities.
- Acquire a body of knowledge, methods and techniques that characterise science and technology.
- Apply and use a body of knowledge, methods and techniques that characterise science and technology.
- Develop an ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise scientific information.
- Develop experimental and investigative scientific skills, including the use of current technologies.
- Develop and apply 21st-century communication skills in the study of science.
Learning Outcomes:
The assessment objectives for physics reflect those parts of the aims that will be formally assessed either internally or externally. These assessments will centre upon the nature of science. It is the intention of this course that students are able to fulfil the following assessment objectives:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: a) facts, concepts and terminology, b) methodologies and techniques, and c) communicating scientific information.
- Apply: a) facts, concepts and terminology, b) methodologies and techniques, and c) methods of communicating scientific information.
- Formulate, analyse and evaluate: a) hypotheses, research questions and predictions, b) methodologies and techniques, c) primary and secondary data, and d) scientific explanations.
- Demonstrate the appropriate research, experimental, and personal skills necessary to carry out insightful and ethical investigations.
Syllabus
It consists of three modules: Mechanics & Thermodynamics – Waves, Electricity & Magnetism – Nuclear Physics & topics from Modern Physics.
MECHANICS & THERMODYNAMICS
Physical phenomena, quantities and theories, SI units, scalar and vector quantities, vectors
Kinematics: Force, mass, velocity, acceleration, velocity-time graphs, displacement – time graphs, projectiles, rectilinear motion, circular motion.
Dynamics: Newton’s laws, momentum, work, power, kinetic and potential energy, energy conservation, momentum conservation, collisions.
Statics: Equilibrium of a point particle, friction, turning forces, equilibrium of rigid bodies, centre of mass of rigid bodies.
Further mechanics: Simple harmonic motion, gravitational fields, stress, strain, Young modulus.
o Thermal Physics: Temperature and thermometers, gas laws, ideal gas equation, kinetic theory of ideal gases, Boltzman’s constant, density, pressure, difference between solids, liquids and gases, isothermal, isobaric and adiabatic gas changes, work done in various gas changes.
o Energetics: Heat, specific heat capacities, latent heat, transfer of energy, conduction, convection radiation, internal energy, enthalpy, the laws of thermodynamics, the Carnot engine, the efficiency of an engine, entropy.
WAVES, ELECTRICITY & MAGNETISM
Introduction to Wave Physics: The simple pendulum revised, characteristics of waves, mechanical waves, electromagnetic waves, longitudinal and transverse waves
Electricity: Electric charge, Coulomb’s law, electric current, electric potential, electrical resistance, internal resistance of a power supply, Kirchhoff’s laws, electric fields, capacitors, sources, voltage – current, basic circuits with resistances and capacitors.
Magnetism and electromagnetism: Magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws, motion of a charged particle in a magnetic field, alternating current circuits and electromagnetic waves.
NUCLEAR PHYSICS & TOPICS FROM MODERN PHYSICS
Atomic and Nuclear Physics: The atom and the nucleus, atomic mass, nucleon number, proton number, isotopes, the periodic table, binding energy, radioactive decay, the alpha, beta and gamma radiations, Bohr’s theory, introduction to quantum mechanics, Pauli’s exclusion principle.
Introduction to the theory of special relativity, consequences of special relativity.
Resources and booklist suggestions:
- Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics, 4th edition, Serway, Saunders College Publishing (including the interactive CD SD-2000)
- College Physics, 4th ed., Serway and Faughn, Saunders College Publishing.
- Physics, P. Fullick, Heinemann Advanced Science, 1994.
- Physics for the IB Diploma (6th Ed.), K.A. Tsokos, Cambridge University Press
- IB Physics Course Book 2014 Edition, D. Homer & M. Bowen-Jones, Oxford University Press
- A-Level Physics, Nelkon and Parker
