Foundations of Physics - PHYS130
This unit is an introduction to basic physics for students who did not take HSC physics or who need to improve their understanding and facility in physics before progressing to more advanced physics units (either PHYS140/PHYS143 or PHYS106/PHYS107). The unit provides an introduction to the techniques by which the basic physical phenomena of our world and universe are described and understood. The material covers the concepts of vectors and the description of motion using Newton's Laws, electrical and magnetic forces and phenomena, elementary atomic structure and introductory quantum physics. A mathematical approach to physics is central but the content is covered without the use of calculus in preparation for further 100-level units which do use calculus. An emphasis is placed on developing problem-solving skills by which physical problems are mapped to mathematical representations which can then be solved to understand the system. These skills include the development of abilities in interpreting visual representations of physical data.
| Credit Points: | 3 |
| When Offered: | S2 Day - Session 2, North Ryde, Day |
| Staff Contact(s): | Professor Michael Steel, Associate Professor David Spence |
| Prerequisites: |
MATH130 or HSC Mathematics Band 4 |
| Corequisites: | |
| NCCW(s): | HSC Physics Band 5 or 6 |
| Unit Designation(s): | |
| Unit Type: | |
| Assessed As: | Graded |
| Offered By: | Department of Physics and Astronomy Faculty of Science and Engineering |
Course structures, including unit offerings, are subject to change.
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