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Physics 2: Advanced (PHYC10002)

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 strong interest and background in physics, and aims to provide a deep understanding of a broad range of physics principles and applications. Physics 2: Advanced uses a calculus-based approach and a strong mathematical background is required.

Topics include:

  • Fluids: water and air pressure, breathing, hydraulics, flight (pressure in fluids, buoyancy, fluid flow, viscosity, surface tension).
  • 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 challenge students to develop further their understanding of the importance of physics principles 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;
  • make considered and logical predictions of the outcomes of different physical situations in the context of the relevant physics principles; 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: 6 December 2023

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Students are required to meet both Physics and Mathematics prerequisites below

Physics:

Excellent result in VCE Unit 3 and 4 Physics (normally an unscaled score of at least 35), or equivalent

OR

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

OR

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
PHYC10009 Foundations of Physics
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

With a result of at least H1

Mathematics:

Excellent result in VCE Unit 3 and 4 Specialist Mathematics (normally an unscaled score of at least 35), or equivalent

OR

One of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
MAST10006 Calculus 2
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
MAST10007 Linear Algebra
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
MAST10021 Calculus 2: Advanced
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
MAST10022 Linear Algebra: Advanced
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

MAST10018 - Linear Algebra Extension Studies

MAST10019 - Calculus Extension Studies

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

Students who complete this subject cannot also gain credit for

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
PHYC10006 Physics 2: Life Sciences & Environment
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
PHYC10004 Physics 2: Physical Science & Technology
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
PHYC10007 Physics for Biomedicine
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

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: 6 December 2023

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Ongoing assessment of practical work

Hurdle requirement: 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%).		During the teaching period25%

Ten weekly assignments (10 x 1.5%)

Throughout the teaching period15%

A written examination

  • 3 hours
During the examination period60%

Last updated: 6 December 2023

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    CoordinatorJacinta Den Besten
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours3 x one hour lectures per week; 1 x one hour tutorial per week; 20 hours of practical work consisting of 8 x 2.5 hour laboratory sessions during the semester.
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024
    Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024
    Census date 2 September 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail20 September 2024
    Assessment period ends15 November 2024

    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

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
    - Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
    - Completion rate. Students who started their course from 2022 and are in a CSP or receiving a HELP Loan (eg FEE-HELP) must meet the completion rate to continue to receive Commonwealth Support for that course.

Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement, and as a fail toward the completion rate, unless there are approved ‘special circumstances’.

Additional delivery details

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

Last updated: 6 December 2023

Further information

Last updated: 6 December 2023