Module manager: Dr Charley Shaefer
Email: C.Schaefer@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
PHYS0016 Thermal and Material Physics
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module is designed for students who have not had the opportunity of an Advanced Level (A Level) education in Physics. This module covers the basics of Thermal and Materials Physics to an A Level equivalent standard. It forms part of a package of four modules (PHAS0001, PHAS0010, PHAS0020 and PHAS0030) which will prepare students for entry to the level 1 of an appropriate degree programme.
On completion of the module students should be able to:
- Understand and describe the 3 states of matter
- Understand the phenomenon of temperature and its behaviour in the 3 states of matter
- Understand the electronic structure of atoms, ad how this leads to different forms of atomic bond.
- Describe the concepts of thermal energy and thermal equilibrium and the First Law of Thermodynamics
- Perform calculations involving specific heat capacity and latent heat capacity
- Carry out calculations involving thermal conductivity and thermal radiation and thermal expansion
- Describe and perform calculations involving the kinetic theory of a gas
- Use Boyle's Law, Charles' Law and the Pressure Law
- Describe the mechanics of liquid matter and perform calculations involving pressure, flotation and hydraulics
- Apply the equations for simple harmonic motion to any system oscillating in relation to bonded atoms and different solid materials
- Use the atomic properties of matter to understand the bulk material properties
- Describe the structure of various solid materials and explain the relationship to their properties
- Carry out calculations relating to the elastic behaviour of solid samples.
This module forms part of a package of four Physics modules (PHAS0001, PHAS0010, PHAS0020 and PHAS0030), which help to prepare students for entry to the level 1 Physics component of an appropriate degree programme and in conjunction with suitable modules at the same level in other subjects will prepare students for entry to a level 1 Engineering degree.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of:
1. The electronic structure of atoms and different types of atomic bond.
2. The structure and mechanical properties of a variety solids.
3. The mechanical properties of liquids.
4. The transfer of thermal energy and the First Law of Thermodynamics
5. The thermal properties of solids, liquids and gases
6. The ideal gas equation and the Kinetic Theory of gases
Problem Solving in basic Physics:
- The ability to model a physical problem.
- The ability to solve physical problems using mathematics.
- Properties of matter and the 3 states of matter
- Bonding
- Elastic properties and behaviour of materials
- Young's modulus.
- Pressure and forces in a liquid
- Internal energy and the First law of thermodynamics
- Thermal conduction and conductivity; convection and radiation
- Thermal expansion
- Properties of an ideal gas and the ideal gas equation
- The molar gas constant R and Avogadro's constant
- The relation between temperature and molecular kinetic energy, Boltzmann's constant
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Lecture | 20 | 1 | 20 |
| Private study hours | 70 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Reading, online study materials and examples: 70 hours.
Workshops and regular Top Hat quizzes
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Coursework | 10 |
| Assignment | Coursework | 10 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 20 | |
Resits will be in standard exam format.
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2.5 Hrs 150 Mins | 80 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 80 | |
Students will have to complete an in-person exam at the end of the module. This will take place during the examinations period at the end of the semester and will be time bound.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 22/08/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team