Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2022 - 2023

Module Title
Module Code
School
Online Module Resources
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

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.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	%	Examination Weight	%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable

Indicative Reading List

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,

Other Resources

0, Simulations, 0, Phet simulations, https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations /,

Programme or List of Programmes

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