68041 Physical Aspects of Nature
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2021 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Anti-requisite(s): 68037 Physical Modelling AND 68101 Foundations of Physics AND 68201 Physics in Action
Description
This subject provides an introduction to motion, waves and optics, thermal effects, properties of solid and fluid matter, electrical and nuclear concepts, with a view to developing an appreciation and understanding of how to describe and model the physical aspects of nature. The material is presented with particular focus on applications in the medical, biological and environmental sciences. The subject integrates, as key components, hands-on laboratory work and the analysis of experimental data.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | recognise principles and laws of physics most relevant to current and future studies in a range of disciplines including biomedical, medical and environmental sciences |
|---|---|
| 2. | apply physics concepts to a range of bio/medical/environmental science-type problems |
| 3. | demonstrate effective scientific communication skills (including report writing, poster presentation, semi-formal oral communication), in a laboratory context |
| 4. | maintain a faithful record of work carried out in the laboratory |
| 5. | design and modify experiments requiring the application of basic physical principles to a variety of context-rich situations |
| 6. | apply methods of analysis of experimental data |
| 7. | develop quantitative and qualitative approaches to problem analysis requiring equation manipulation, the use of appropriate units, an appreciation of the influence of experimental error and consideration of correct orders of magnitude |
| 8. | access information from a variety of sources including the Internet and the library |
| 9. | demonstrate the capacity to work independently against deadlines |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Apply: Demonstrate knowledge of discipline relevant topics (1.1)
- Analyse: Explain the basic applications of discipline knowledge within context (1.2)
- Synthesise: Integrate discipline knowledge and apply it to key processes (1.3)
- Analyse: Develop critical thinking skills including critiquing, interpreting and questioning scientific evidence (2.2)
- Synthesise: Apply the scientific method to real world problems and evaluate experimental outcomes (2.3)
- Apply: Participate in team based data collection, recording and management, with an understanding of ethical limitations (3.1)
- Apply: Develop tools and aptitudes that create flexible and adaptive approaches to learning within a discipline context (4.1)
- Apply: Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills with peer and professional colleagues (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject contributes to the development of the following:
- Graduate Attribute 1 - Disciplinary Knowledge
- Graduate Attribute 2 - Research, inquiry and critical thinking
- Graduate Attribute 3 - Professional, ethical, and social responsibility
- Graduate Attribute 4 - Reflection, Innovation, Creativity
- Graduate Attribute 5 - Communication
Teaching and learning strategies
- Lectures: 2 hours per week for the whole session
- Practicals: 2.5 hours per week
- Workshops: 2 hours per fortnight on average
- Online assignments
Other student support resources are available, including Canvas Discussions and U:PASS.
Students will adopt collaborative learning strategies in the inquiry-oriented laboratory sessions. Learning will be facilitated through active participation in a variety of hands-on and inquiry-based activities. Lectures and workshops are seamlessly incorporated into this subject. Online resources such as Youtube and simulations will be used to supplement pre-prepared materials which students will read before attending a lecture, workshop or laboratory session.
All assessment items within the lab and workshop programs (for example, report, poster, and workshop exercises) are supported by feedback to students. This feedback is given continuously throughout the session. Mastering Physics is used for online assignments and this gives students immediate feedback on each attempted question.
Content (topics)
Topics chosen from:
1. Introduction to Experimentation
- Fundamental and derived physical quantities. Units, S.I. system. Significant figures and scientific notation.
- Uncertainties in measurements. Laboratory notebooks. Introduction to graphing, including transforming data.
2. Mechanics
- Dynamics: Forces. Newton’s Laws of motion. Gravitational force. Static and kinetic friction. Circular motion: centripetal force and acceleration.
- Energy: Work done by a constant force. Kinetic energy. Potential energy. Work-energy principle. Conservation of mechanical energy. Energy stored in fuels and foods. Power.
- Momentum: Impulse. Momentum. Conservation of momentum. Relationship of momentum to force and energy.
3. Properties of Matter
- Fluid Statics: Pressure. Pressure in a fluid of constant density. Barometer. Manometer. Pascal's principle. Archimedes' principle.
- Fluid Dynamics: Ideal fluids. Streamlines. Continuity equation. Volume flow rate. Bernoulli's equation. Venturi flow meter. Torricelli's theorem.
- Viscosity: Friction in fluids, Coefficient of viscosity. Viscous flow through a pipe (Poiseuille's equation). Turbulent Flow
- Transport Phenomena: Transport in viscous fluids, Stokes' Law and terminal velocity. Centrifuge.
- Elasticity: Stress and strain. Linear elasticity and Hooke's law. Young's modulus. Shear modulus. Plastic flow. Fracture.
4. Electricity
- Static electricity: Electric charges. Conductors and insulators. Electrostatic forces. Coulomb’s law.
- Electric field: Potential difference. Charges moving in electric fields. Capacitance. Combination of capacitors. Significance of dielectric material.
- Electric current: Atomic model. Measuring voltage and current. Resistance and Ohm's law. Electrical energy and power.
- DC circuits: Resistors in series and parallel. EMF. Analysis of circuits. Physiological effects of current.
5. Waves and Optics
- Properties of waves: Wave motion. Types of waves. Frequency. Period. Wavelength. Amplitude. Waves in a string. Superpositon of waves. Interference.
- Ultrasound: Piezoelectric materials. Production and detection of ultrasound. Acoustic impedance. Doppler effect. Medical applications.
- Electron Optics: Wave nature of matter. Wavelength of electron. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and applications
- Light: Nature of light. E-M spectrum. Reflection. Refraction. Snell's Law. Total internal reflection. Fibre optics and the endoscope. Dispersion.
- Geometrical optics: Image formation by refraction. Real and virtual images. Thin lenses. Lens equation. Sign conventions.
- Optical instruments: Simple magnifier. The human eye. Eye defects and their correction. Combination of lenses. Telescope. Compound microscope.
6. Thermal and Nuclear Physics
- Heat and Temperature: Zeroth law. Temperature scales. Definition of heat. Specific heat capacity. Calorimetry.
- Thermal processes: Thermal expansion. Change of state: fusion and vaporisation. Energy in change of state.
- Heat transfer: Conduction. Radiation. Convection. Thermography. Thermal properties of materials. Heat flow through multiple layers. Applications to the human body.
- Kinetic theory of gases: Properties of ideal gases. Ideal gas equation. Constant volume gas thermometer. Kinetic interpretation of temperature. RMS velocity of molecules.
- Nuclear Structure: Structure of the nucleus. Nucleons. Atomic and mass numbers. Isotope. Nuclear reactions.
- Radioactivity: Alpha, beta and gamma emission. Radioactive decay. Half-life. Radioactivity. Carbon dating.
- X-rays: X-ray production. X-ray spectra (continuous radiation and characteristic emissions). Absorption of X-rays and medical imaging. Biological and medical uses of radiation.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Laboratory Work
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 1.2, 2.3, 3.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Criteria: | Assessment in the laboratory programme consists of the following elements:
Guidelines and rubrics for laboratory reports, posters and other aspects of laboratory assessment are provided in the laboratory manual and the Resource book. |
Assessment task 2: Assignments and Classwork
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 4. Reflection, innovation, creativity |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 1.3, 2.2 and 4.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Criteria: | This task aims to provide students with practice in problem solving. The questions will be generated algorithmically and computer-graded with immediate feedback in most instances, helping students to develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter. |
Assessment task 3: Final examination
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Criteria: | Marks will be awarded based on students ability to: - answer short questions about physical concepts and principles - apply appropriate problem solving strategies and mathematical techniques to find numerical answers to problems |
Minimum requirements
Practical classes in subjects offered by the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences are an essential and integral part of each subject in which they run. In addition to assisting students' understanding of concepts, practical classes develop important laboratory skills and experience that are desired by employers. Thus students are expected to attend all scheduled practical classes.
Students must achieve an overall mark of at least 50% to pass the subject.
Recommended texts
College Physics, 10th Edition, Global Edition by Young, Adams and Chastain. The lectures are closely integrated with this textbook, as are the online assignment problems.
Other resources
U:PASS (UTS Peer Assisted Study Success) is a voluntary “study session” where you will be studying the subject with other students in a group. It is led by a student who has previously achieved a distinction or high distinction in the subject area, and has a good WAM. Leaders will prepare activities for you to work on in groups based on the content you are learning in lectures.You can sign up for U:PASS sessions via U:PASS website http://tinyurl.com/upass2017 (Note that sign up is not open until week 2). If you have any questions or concerns about U:PASS, please contact Georgina at upass@uts.edu.au, or check out the website.