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PX1513: THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE B (2017-2018)

Last modified: 25 May 2018 11:16


Course Overview

Understanding electric and magnetic forces is of paramount importance for understanding the physical world. They are eventually responsible for the matter around us to self-organize (in solid, liquid and gas phases), with given structures, density, elastic properties, and so on. Furthermore, they are responsible for light emission and propagation across the space.

Already the first rudiments of electricity and magnetism will help to appreciate that they are two difference faces of the same coin: electromagnetism. This relationship is the first evidence of the possibility to build a unified description of the microscopic laws of the physical universe.



Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 1
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Professor Antonio Politi

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Higher Grade (Sce/Sqa) Mathematics at Grade A
  • Higher Grade (Sce/Sqa) Physics at Grade B
  • Higher Grade (Sce/Sqa) Physics at Grade B3
  • Higher Grade (Sce/Sqa) Physics at Grade B4
  • Higher Grade (Sce/Sqa) Mathematics at Grade A1
  • Higher Grade (Sce/Sqa) Mathematics at Grade A2
  • Higher Grade (Sce/Sqa) Mathematics at Grade B
  • Higher Grade (Sce/Sqa) Mathematics at Grade B3
  • Higher Grade (Sce/Sqa) Mathematics at Grade B4
  • Higher Grade (Sce/Sqa) Physics at Grade A
  • Higher Grade (Sce/Sqa) Physics at Grade A1
  • Higher Grade (Sce/Sqa) Physics at Grade A2
  • Either Programme Level 1 or Programme Level 2

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • KL158Z The Physical Universe B (Studied)
  • MA1515 Mathematics for Sciences (Studied)
  • PX1511 The Physical Universe - 2 (Studied)
  • PX1515 The Physical Universe B (Distance) (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The course will continue from the Physical Universe A and develop ideas of rotational mechanics including moments of inertia, before going on to expore radiation, types of radiation and radioactivity. Some discussion of topical related issues will also be included. The Electricity and Magnetism component of the course will follow conventional lines for this level, exploring the laws of how charges interect through electorstatic and magnetic forces, how emf may be induced, the operation of capacitors and inductors. Practical sessions will mirror the theoretical content.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour exam (70%), Continuous assessment (tutorials) (15%), Continuous assessment (practicals) (15%).

Resit: 1 two-hour exam (70%), Continuous assessment (tutorials) (15%), Continuous assessment (practials) (15%).

Formative Assessment

Tutorials will monitor student development, whilst lab demonstrators will engage with students at a one to one level not possible in the lecture theatre.

Feedback

Tutorial sheets, term multiple choice exams and lab notebooks will be marked and returned within two weeks of submission. Mastering Physics software gives an immediate on-line feedback.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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