Course syllabus for Physics 1

Course syllabus adopted 2024-02-02 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameFysik 1
  • CodeTIF380
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTKELT
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyEngineering Physics
  • DepartmentPHYSICS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 50145
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0122 Laboratory 1.5 c
Grading: UG
1.5 c0 c0 c0 c0 c0 c
0222 Examination 6 c
Grading: TH
6 c0 c0 c0 c0 c0 c
  • 31 Okt 2024 am J
  • 09 Jan 2025 pm J
  • 20 Aug 2025 pm J

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Mathematics from the first year of studies

Aim

The aim is to make the students familiar with important concepts and laws in mechanics, wave physics and modern physics.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Have an understanding of basic concepts in mechanics and be able to apply these to solve relevant problems.
  • Have an understanding of basic concepts in wave physics and be able to apply these to solve relevant problems.
  • Have an understanding of basic concepts in modern physics and be able to apply these to solve relevant problems.
  • Be able to translate theoretical knowledge in the areas of mechanics, optics and modern physics in an experimental context in order to be able to acquire new knowledge.

Content

Kinematics, Dynamics, System of particles, Laws of motion, Harmonic oscillators, Energy and energy transfer, Energy laws, Rotation of a rigid object about a fixed axis, Linear momentum, Angular momentum.
General aspects of waves: harmonic motion and waves, superposition. Acoustic waves: pressure, velocity, intensity, reflection. Electromagnetic waves: interference, diffraction, resolution, reflection, refraction, polarisation. Modern physics: theory of relativity, blackbody radiation and Planck's distribution function, the photoelectric effect, the Compton effect, the Schrödinger equation, wave functions, operators, the uncertainty principle. Applications of quantum mechanics: particle in potential well, tunneling through a potential energy barrier, the harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom. Laboratory work: diffraction and interference effects in single-slit, double-slit, and multiple-slits.

Organisation

The teaching is in form of lectures, class room excercises and laboratory work

Literature

Serway & Jewitt; Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics, edition >3rd.

Examination including compulsory elements

The course ends with a written exam that contains calculation based questions and sometimes also some more descriptive questions. During the course, a series of voluntary assignments are included. The points from these are added together with the points from the exam. The grading scale has been adjusted for the points from assignments. This means that these points are necessary to achieve a higher grade. To obtain a final grade, a passed exam and laboratory course are required.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.