Module description
Module Description
An indicative list of topics covered by this module, but which may change slightly from year to year, is given by:
- Introduction to classical mechanics: Newton's Laws, parabolic motion, friction, inertial frames
- Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM): forced SHM and resonance, energy, damping, Q values and power response curves, coupled SHM
- Energy and Work
- Linear momentum
- Gravitational potential and orbits
- Many body mechanics: rigid motion, spin torque, angular momentum
- Electrostatics: Moving charges, dipole radiation
- LCR circuits. Geometrical optics (multi-lens systems )
- Wave description in 1-D: Standing Waves, phase and group velocity, beats, dispersion, interference and diffraction.
Learning aims & outcomes
To introduce the student to basic concepts and methods of calculation for Classical Physics.
At the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Carry out kinematics calculations for point particles using Newtons laws and conservation principles.
- Carry out basic kinematics calculations for extended rigid objects using torques and angular momentum conservation principles.
- Describe the gravitational and electrostatic forces between matter.
- Describe oscillating systems using a mathematical formalism based on trigonometric functions and complex numbers
- Explain how oscillating charges give rise to electromagnetic radiation.
- Use the mathematical description of wave motion to elucidate interference, diffraction and distinguishing group and phase velocity.
- Construct Ray diagrams for multi-element optical systems.
Assessment details
Details of the module's assessment/s
| Type |
Weighting |
Marking model |
|
Written three hour exam (May)
|
80%
|
Model 2 - Double Marking
|
|
Coursework (Fortnightly Problem Sheets)
|
10%
|
|
|
Group Project
|
10%
|
Please note: - module assessment may be subject to change. If you have any questions, please contact ug-physics@kcl.ac.uk
Teaching pattern
Three lectures per week (Total - 6 hours per week)