Physics 142 (560.142)

The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, full year, etc. was correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change. For the most up-to-date information click on the Timetable link below.

Credit: 6 points  Availability: Semester 2 (See Timetable)

Content: This unit is intended for students proposing to major in disciplines other than Physics who are interested in being able to understand the physical principles which underpin aspects of many other sciences. In addition to the specific knowledge imparted, this unit offers students the opportunity to develop skills in critical thinking, problem solving, quantitative analysis, and experimental technique. Topics covered include the following: electricity and magnetism—electric fields, dielectrics, capacitance, electric currents, magnetic fields, Ampere's law, induction, alternating current circuits, resonance, electromagnetic waves, the electromagnetic spectrum; waves and optics—harmonic oscillations, wave motion, reflection and refraction, sound waves, Doppler effect, geometrical optics, interference, diffraction, imaging and resolution; nuclei and radioactivity—nuclear structure and reactions, mass-energy relation, anti-particles, radioactivity, radio-active dating, nuclear fission and fusion, positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, dosimetry.

Assessment: This comprises three tests (20 per cent each), laboratory work (20 per cent) and assignments (20 per cent).

Unit Co-ordinator(s): Dr Ron Burman

Location: UWA (Crawley)

Mode: on-campus

Unit Rules:

Prerequisites: TEE Applicable Mathematics; familiarity with the basic concepts of physics is assumed. Experience has shown that students who have not completed TEE Physics are likely to find the unit demanding. Completion of Mathematics 155 (530.155) or 165 (530.165) is strongly encouraged.

Incompatibility: Physics 101 (560.101) and Physics 102 (560.102)

Contact hours—lectures: 3 per week; practice classes: 1 per week; labs: 2 hrs per week

Books and other material wherever listed may be subject to change. Book lists relating to 'Preliminary Reading', 'Recommended Reading' and 'Textbooks' are, in most cases, available at the University Co-operative Bookshop (from early January) and appropriate administrative offices for students to consult. For first-year units the Bookshop will endeavour to make available photocopies of book lists for individual units. Books marked with an asterisk (*) are available in paperback.