Module: Waves and Light

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Waves and Light
Module Code	PHY1002 (ITS: PS471L)
Faculty	Physical Sciences	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

To introduce the student to general wave motion, optics and acoustics and to provide the student with a general introduction to special relativity and to atomic and nuclear physics.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss the physical processes that underlie wave motion, optics, acoustics, special relativity and atomic and nuclear physics.
2. Describe the physical basis and experimental observations of wave motion, optics, acoustics, special relativity and atomic and nuclear physics.
3. Derive relevant equations describing wave motion, optics, acoustics, special relativity and atomic and nuclear physics from basic laws and principles.
4. Solve numerical problems, from information provided, on the topics covered.
5. Discuss the importance of wave motion, optics, acoustics, special relativity and atomic and nuclear physics in applied physics.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	2 hours of asychronous lectures per week accessed as pre-recorded videos
Online activity	24	2 hours of scheduled synchronous online activities per week
Tutorial	24	Student learning support facilitated through small-group tutorials with flexible provision.
Fieldwork	53	Student self directed learning
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20023	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Eilish McLoughlin	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Completion of online activity	Solve physics problem based on mathematical/quantitative aspects of module concepts.	100%	As required

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Oscillations and Waves
Oscillations and simple harmonic motion: transverse and longitudinal waves, superposition, speed, reflection, harmonic waves.

Sound
sound waves, sound intensity, Doppler effect.

Light
EM Spectrum, Sources of light, Geometrical optics; reflection, refraction, dispersion, achromatic optics; Physical optics; interference,diffraction, diffraction gratings, polarisation

Optical systems
the microscope, the telescope, the eye.

Special Relativity
Einstein's Postulates, time dilation, length contraction, the Lorentz Transformation, relativistic momentum and energy conservation.

Atom
Classical models, Planck's quantum hypothesis, the Bohr atom, The photoelectric effect; quantized energy; the de Broglie wavelength.

The nucleus
nucleons; isotopes; nuclear structure; binding energy. Radiation: X rays, alpa, beta and gamma radiation, the law of radioactive decay. fission and fusion; nuclear reactors. Detection, dosage.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Young and Freedman: 2020, University Physics with Modern Physics,, 15 Ed.,,, https://www.pearson.com/us/higher-education/program/Young-Modified-Mastering-Physics-with-Pearson-e-Text-Standalone- Access-Card-for-University-Physics-with-Modern-Physics-15th-Edition/PGM2485469.html,
Eugenia Etkina, Gorazd Planinsic and Alan Van Heuvelen: 2019, College Physics: Explore and Apply,, 2nd Ed. [ISBN: 978- 01346018],
Raymond A. Serway and John W. Jewett: 2007, Physics for Scientists and Engineers 7th Edition, Brooks Cole,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: Simulations, Phet simulations,