Level: I
Semester: 2
No. of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: CAPE Physics (Units I and II) or CAPE Mathematics (Units I and II) and CSEC (CXC) PHYSICS or PHYS 0100 and PHYS 0200 or their equivalent

 

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce the student to topics in the fundamentals of Thermodynamics and Modern Physics. Understanding Physics is crucial to the study of all sciences. Experimentation, observation and recording skills are essential for Physics. Physics is the study of matter, energy, space and time and gaining a better understanding of this subject is a stepping stone to understanding the world and many of the new technologies being developed today. The theoretical aspect of this course provides students with the fundamentals of Thermodynamics and Modern Physics whereas the practical component allows all the Year 1 students to be exposed to a variety of techniques, concepts and skills in the experimental sciences. Through in-class discussions, problem-solving sessions and practical exercises students will have the opportunity to improve their ability to reason through challenging situations in the physical world using basic principles to develop appropriate solutions. This course will be assessed through in-course assignments, practical exercises/reports and a final examination.

CONTENT

The topics covered address Thermodynamics and Modern Physics. Heat and the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics, Temperature. Measurement of temperature and temperature scales. Types of thermometers. Change of state by solids and liquids, heat capacity and latent heats. Heat and Work: Calculation of work done by an ideal gas at constant temperature. Differential form of First Law of Thermodynamics. Differential form of First Law of Thermodynamics and application to selected cases. Adiabatic equation of an ideal gas. Second Law of  Thermodynamics. Heat engines and refrigerator. Entropy. Historical introduction to Modern physics in the understanding of atomic structure in 1900s. Introduction to concepts of blackbody radiation. Development of Planck’s law and the unsuitability of Wein’s and Rayleigh Jean’s laws. Use of equations to solve problems using Wein’s displacement law and Stefan-Boltzmann’s law. Examples of blackbodies in nature. Introduction to the understanding of light as wave phenomena prior to 1905. The photoelectric effect experiment. Emphasis on why the results of photoelectric effect cannot be understood with light being wave phenomena and the need for the particle description. Setting up the photoelectric effect equation and using it to solve problems. Davisson-Germer experiment and Thomson’s experiment. Establishing the wave nature of particles and the relation between them by equation. Wave-particle duality. Practical example of electron microscope. Solving problems using wave-particle duality equation. Bohr’s model for the atom and why the classical pictures are inadequate. Derivation of the energy equation from Bohr’s model. The development of energy levels in atoms. Energy level diagrams and calculation of energy in different levels. X-rays: the historical development of discovery and how to produce X-rays. The x-ray spectra and interpretations. Moseley’s law from the x-rays of heavy atoms of the relation of the frequency to the atomic number. Solving problems using Moseley’s law. Practical exercises are related to the theory.

GOALS/AIMS

The goals and aims of PHYS 1224 are to:

  • Reinforce and extend the students’ understanding of the fundamental Physics concepts in Thermodynamics and Modern Physics.
  • Provide students with the required foundation to progress to the advanced Physics courses.
  • Excite students such that they would desire to pursue advanced Physics.

In the laboratory experimental processes, the students are expected to deepen their understanding of the relations between experiment and theory.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course emphasizes the application of the basic principles pertaining to Thermodynamics and Modern Physics to solve practical problems in these areas of study. Upon completion of this course students should have successfully attained adequate conceptual and analytical comprehension of Thermodynamics and Modern Physics. Students will be able to:

  • Apply concepts of temperature and heat as energy to solve problems concerning the transfer of heat and effects of heat on systems.
  • Apply 1st and 2nd laws of Thermodynamics to systems to solve problems involving work, heat, and thermodynamic cycles.
  • Explain and solve simple problems involving blackbody radiation, photoelectric effect, matter waves, atoms-spectra, Bohr's model and x-rays.
  • Explain the wave-particle duality of the photon.
  • Apply concepts of 20th Century Modern Physics to deduce the structure of atoms.
  • Perform and interpret the results of simple experiments and demonstrations of physical principles.

 

Assessment

Final Examination (one 2-hr paper)           50%
Coursework                                                 50%
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