Module manager: Julian Pittard
Email: j.m.pittard@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
'A' Level Physics and Maths or equivalent
| PHAS1000 | First Year Physics Assessment |
| PHAS1010 | Mechanics, Relativity and Astrophysics |
| PHAS1020 | Thermodynamics |
| PHAS1030 | Electronics, Solid State and Introduction to Quantum Physics |
| PHAS1050 | Coding and Experimental Physics |
PHYS1210
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module covers the fundamental underpinning theories of vibrations, waves, and optics. It also develops the required underlying mathematical techniques using complex numbers, solutions to second order differential equations and Fourier series.
Vibrations and waves are ubiquitous phenomena, occurring in widely different physical systems, from molecules to musical instruments to tectonic plates. Nevertheless, they can be described by a common mathematical approach, which this module provides.
In vibrations and waves, students will learn about oscillators, energy and resonance, different types of waves, energy/power transfer, reflection and transmission, impedance, superposition and interference, the wave-like behaviour of light, mirrors, lenses, nonlinear optics and lasers, the solution of 2nd order partial differential equations, complex numbers, fourier series and an introduction to Fourier transforms.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of the following:
In Vibrations and Waves:
1. Damped and Driven harmonic oscillators
2. Travelling waves, impedance and sound
In Optics:
3. Diffraction and Interference (including Fourier Series and Transforms)
4. Laws of Reflection and Refraction (Geometrical optics) (including total internal reflection and evanescent waves)
5. Polarisation, birefringence
6. Introduction to non-linear optics and lasers
In general:
7. Solutions to second order differential equations representing waves.
8. Application of complex numbers to the solution of the wave equation and problems in optics.
9. Fourier series and introductory Fourier transforms as applied to waves and optics.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to do the following:
1. Manage time and plan work to meet deadlines
2. Problem solving
3. Application of appropriate mathematics
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 50 | 1 | 50 |
| Tutorial | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| Independent online learning hours | 24 | ||
| Private study hours | 120 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 56 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Coursework | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 5/13/2024
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team