PHY2029 : Physics in the Modern World
- Offered for Year: 2019/20
- Module Leader(s): Dr Anne Archibald
- Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
Aims
To introduce students to a selection of topics of contemporary physics and its applications in areas where the involved Schools have an international reputation.
Module summary
The course will describe a selection of case studies in ‘hot’ topics of modern physics. The selection of topics and the list of lecturers involved, may vary from year to year. Each topic will be presented in lectures by a member of staff working in that area. These will include some of recent ideas and results. Typically, each group of 8 contact hours will comprise three 2h lectures, and a 2h discussion/tutorial/seminar, together with directed reading.
Outline Of Syllabus
The topics in 2016-17 will be drawn from the following list:
Surface analysis: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry, vibrational spectroscopy, scanning probe microscopy, multivariate data analysis.
Superfluid helium II:The most striking property of helium II at temperatures close to absolute zero is its ability to flow without any viscous dissipation. The syllabus of lectures on this topic is as follows. Properties of classical fluids. Continuity equation. Viscosity. Euler and Navier-Stokes equations. Properties of helium II; phase diagram. Thermal and mechanical effects. Two-fluid model; Andronikashvili experiment; normal and superfluid densities; Landau-Tisza equations. Second sound. Thermal counterflow and engineering applications. Helium in rotation; quantized vortex lines.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 3 | 8:20 | 25:00 | Written courseworks |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 12 | 2:00 | 24:00 | Formal lectures and tutorials |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 12 | 0:10 | 2:00 | Office hours |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Assignment review |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 46:00 | 46:00 | Studying, practicing, and gaining understanding of course material. |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The material will be delivered through the medium of lectures. The tutorials will allow the students to discuss the material of the course and work on exercises set through the course. In addition office hours (two per week) provide an opportunity for more direct contact between individual students and the lecturer: a typical student might spend a total of one or two hours over the course of the module, either individually or as part of a group.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2 | M | 50 | Report 1 (based on calculations). Approx. 1500 words |
| Report | 2 | M | 50 | Report 2. Approx. 1500 words |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Written coursework assignments allow the students to practice the methods learnt in the module, to develop their problem solving and modelling techniques, to assess their progress and to receive feedback; this assessment has a secondary formative purpose as well as a primary summative purpose.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- PHY2029's Timetable