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To explore the basic ideas of physics in the areas of dynamics (from a vectorial point of view), waves & optics and thermal physics, as a foundation for more advanced study of physics and for application in other sciences.

Lectures daily at 0900 or 1300 (students attend one). Laboratories and tutorials as arranged.

Pass in Mathematics and Physics (SQA Higher or equivalent).

MATHS1017 Mathematics 1

Degree exam (1 paper) - 50%; Class Test - 10%; Continuous assessment (Physics Communication Project, Moodle Checkpoint Quizzes) - 15%; Labs - 25%.

1. To ensure students understand the basic ideas of physics in the areas of dynamics (from a vectorial point of view), waves & optics and thermal physics, as a foundation for more advanced study of physics and for application in other sciences;

2. To introduce more advanced topics, particularly special relativity and lasers;

3. To develop and then extend student's experience of experimental physics, by performing and analysing data from a number of straightforward experiments;

4. To develop practice in problem solving, requiring the application of mathematics to explain physical phenomena;

5. To develop the student's ability to keep laboratory records and write reports, including use of a word-processor package, and to introduce and then extend the use of a spreadsheet package for the presentation of results and the analysis of experimental results;

6. To introduce students to group working within the laboratory setting, and to joint discussion of problem solving strategies within small-group sessions.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Apply Newton's Laws of Motion to a particle motion in a single straight line, uniform circular motion and simple harmonic motion;

2. State and apply the Conservation Laws of Energy and Momentum;

(3) Decide when Special Relativity should be used;

(4) Apply the laws of geometrical optics to mirror and lenses;

1. Describe waves mathematically, and apply this to treat optical interference;

2. Describe the operation of lasers;

3. State the meaning of temperature and heat, and heat capacity;

4. Distinguish different mechanisms of heat transfer, and know some of the thermal properties of gases;

5. Perform laboratory experiments and present the results in a word-processed report;

6. Use a spreadsheet package to analyse laboratory results, and incorporate table and

  graphs in a word-processed report.

Attendance at 50% of the assessment workshops and submission of the associated work for marking;

Attendance at 50% of the laboratory sessions and submission of the associated work for marking;

Attendance at the class test (and a score of 10% of the marks available);

Attendance at the final degree exam (and a score of 10% of the marks available).