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Physics 2: Physical Science & Technology (PHYC10004)

Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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This subject is designed for students with a sound background in physics, whose interests lie mainly in applications of physics to systems in the physical sciences, technology or engineering. Topics include:
Fluids: water and air pressure, breathing, hydraulics, flight (pressure in fluids, buoyancy, fluid flow, viscosity, surface tension).
Thermal physics: heating and cooling, energy balance in environments, engines, refrigerators (temperature and thermal energy, kinetic theory, phase changes, heat transfer mechanisms, first law of thermodynamics, diffusion).
Electricity and magnetism: electrical devices, lightning, household electricity and electrical safety, electric motors, power generation and transmission, Earth’s magnetic field, particle accelerators, communications (electric charge and field, conductors and insulators, electric potential, capacitance, resistance, electric circuits, magnetic field, Faraday’s law of induction, Maxwell’s equations, electromagnetic waves).
Quantum and atomic physics: spectroscopy, lasers (photon, blackbody radiation, matter waves, quantisation in atoms, interaction of light with matter, x-rays).
Nuclear physics and radiation: nuclear energy, radiation safety, formation of atoms in stars, carbon dating (the atomic nucleus, radioactive decay, half-life, ionising radiation, nuclear fission and fusion).

Intended learning outcomes

To enable students to understand the importance of physical principles to the physical, technological and engineering sciences, and develop their capacity to:



  • understand and explain the physics principles of fluids, thermal physics, electricity and magnetism, quantum, atomic and nuclear physics;
  • apply these principles using logical reasoning, together with appropriate mathematical reasoning, to a variety of familiar and novel situations and problems in the physical, technological and engineering sciences; and
  • acquire experimental data using a range of measurement instruments and interpret these data.

Generic skills

A student who completes this subject should be able to:

  • explain their understanding of physics principles and applications lucidly, both in writing and orally;
  • acquire and interpret experimental data and design experimental investigations;
  • participate as an effective member of a group in tutorial discussions, laboratory and study groups;
  • think independently and analytically, and direct his or her own learning; and
  • manage time effectively in order to be prepared for regular practical and tutorial classes, tests and the examination.

Last updated: 11 April 2024

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Physics and Mathematics prerequisites exist for this subject.

Physics

  • Study score of 25 or more in VCE Physics 3/4 or equivalent

Or one of:

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
PHYC10001 Physics 1: Advanced
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
PHYC10003 Physics 1
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
PHYC10005 Physics 1: Fundamentals
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Mathematics

One of

  • Study score of 25 or more in VCE Mathematical Methods 3/4 or equivalent
  • Admission into the Bachelor of Science

OR both of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
MAST10014 Foundation Mathematics 1
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
MAST10015 Foundation Mathematics 2
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

Students may only gain credit for one of

  • PHYC10002 Physics 2: Advanced
  • PHYC10004 Physics 2: Physical Science & Technology
  • PHYC10006 Physics 2: Life Sciences & Environment
  • PHYC10007 Physics for Biomedicine

Recommended background knowledge

Students who have not completed the equivalent of VCE Unit 3/4 Specialist Mathematics are encouraged to enrol in MAST10005 Calculus 1 prior to or concurrently with this subject.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 11 April 2024

Assessment

Additional details

Ongoing assessment of practical work during the semester (25%); ten weekly assignments (10 x 1.5% = 15%); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (60%).

Satisfactory completion of practical work is necessary to pass the subject (i.e. attendance and submission of work for at least 80% of workshop sessions together with a result for assessed work of at least 50%).

Last updated: 11 April 2024

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorRoger Rassool
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours3 x one hour lectures per week; 1 x one hour tutorial per week; 28 hours of practical work (8 x three hour laboratory sessions and up to 30 minutes of pre-laboratory activity) and 10 weekly assignments of 30 minutes each during the semester.
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period29 July 2019 to 27 October 2019
    Last self-enrol date 9 August 2019
    Census date31 August 2019
    Last date to withdraw without fail27 September 2019
    Assessment period ends22 November 2019

    Semester 2 contact information

    Director of First Year Studies

    Email: dfys@physics.unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours

Additional delivery details

This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities.

Last updated: 11 April 2024

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    Fundamentals of Physics, 10th Edition Halliday, Resnick, Walker

    ISBN: 9781118230725



  • Subject notes

    This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    Informal specialisationScience-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI
  • Breadth options

    This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:

  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 11 April 2024