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PH20076: Self-directed learning (M&P)

[Page last updated: 21 April 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/3
Owning Department/School: Department of Physics
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (EX 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
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;
* describe the characteristics of the fundamental forces, and quote and use conservation laws to determine allowed particle reactions;
* discuss binding in nuclei and explain the energetics and mechanisms of radioactive decay;
* describe the physical processes involved in fission and fusion reactions and in stellar nucleosynthesis;
* 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.

Aims: The aim of this unit is to allow students on courses in Mathematics & Physics to catch up with core Physics material that they did not cover in years 1 and 2 of their degree.

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

Content: This unit covers core Physics material in years 1 and 2 that Mathematics & Physics students do not take. The courses involved are Relativity (part of PH10103), Particles & Nuclei (part of PH20016) 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.

Programme availability:

PH20076 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Physics
  • USXX-AFB03 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 3)
  • USXX-AAB04 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USXX-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • USXX-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 3)
  • USXX-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USXX-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • 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.