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  2. Foundations of Physics [SCP1134]

School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Foundations of Physics

  • Unit Code

    SCP1134

  • Year

    2016

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    2

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This is a broadly based unit which introduces students to physics used within a variety of contexts. Physics principles and methods applicable to motion, sound, heat, light, radioactivity and electricity will be investigated. The unit is designed for students who have not completed upper level secondary school physics.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a variety of laboratory and manipulative skills associated with elementary physics.
  2. Demonstrate problem solving skills in evaluating appropriate experimental approaches for analyses of elementary physics phenomena.
  3. Explain and apply fundamental concepts, principles and theories of elementary physics in context.
  4. Undertake problem formulation, solution and solution verification of elementary physics problems.

Unit Content

  1. ELECTRICITY; Charge, electric potential energy, conductors and insulators. Voltage, current, resistance, Ohm's law, power and energy. Circuits involving resistors in series and parallel, effects of current on the human body. Production of electricity.
  2. HEAT; Temperature, kinetic theory, heat, specific heat, latent heats. Heating and cooling effects: evaporation, condensation, rapid gas expansions, compressions. Thermal expansion. Heat transfer by radiation, convection, conduction. Insulation. Conversion of other forms of energy to heat.
  3. MOTION; Straight line motion, displacement, velocity, acceleration, motion graphs, kinematic equations. Newton's three laws: concept of inertia, force and acceleration, vector addition of forces, reaction forces, friction, momentum. Work, kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, conservation of energy, power.
  4. RADIOACTIVITY; Origin, nature and properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiations. Natural and artificial isotopes, activity, half life, radiation dose, production and use of radiation in medicine. Nuclear reactors.
  5. WAVES; Periodic waves, period, frequency, speed, amplitude, phase, wave equation, transverse and longitudinal waves. Sound, pitch, intensity, loudness. Reflection, refraction, diffraction, superposition and interference, standing waves, resonance. Electromagnetic spectrum, colours, colour addition, reflection, refraction. Convex and concave lenses, types of images, ray diagrams, the eye.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials and laboratory work.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestQuizzes25%
Laboratory WorkLaboratory performance25%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%

Text References

  • ^ Cutnell, J.D., & Johnson, K.W. (2012). Physics (9th ed.). New York: John Wiley.
  • Giancoli, D.C. (2005). Physics: principles with applications (6th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
  • Hewitt, P.G. (2012). Conceptual physics (11th ed.). San Francisco, California: Addison-Wesley.

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCP1134|2|1

School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Foundations of Physics

  • Unit Code

    SCP1134

  • Year

    2016

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    2

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This is a broadly based unit which introduces students to physics used within a variety of contexts. Physics principles and methods applicable to motion, sound, heat, light, radioactivity and electricity will be investigated. The unit is designed for students who have not completed upper level secondary school physics.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a variety of laboratory and manipulative skills associated with elementary physics.
  2. Demonstrate problem solving skills in evaluating appropriate experimental approaches for analyses of elementary physics phenomena.
  3. Explain and apply fundamental concepts, principles and theories of elementary physics in context.
  4. Undertake problem formulation, solution and solution verification of elementary physics problems.

Unit Content

  1. ELECTRICITY; Charge, electric potential energy, conductors and insulators. Voltage, current, resistance, Ohm's law, power and energy. Circuits involving resistors in series and parallel, effects of current on the human body. Production of electricity.
  2. HEAT; Temperature, kinetic theory, heat, specific heat, latent heats. Heating and cooling effects: evaporation, condensation, rapid gas expansions, compressions. Thermal expansion. Heat transfer by radiation, convection, conduction. Insulation. Conversion of other forms of energy to heat.
  3. MOTION; Straight line motion, displacement, velocity, acceleration, motion graphs, kinematic equations. Newton's three laws: concept of inertia, force and acceleration, vector addition of forces, reaction forces, friction, momentum. Work, kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, conservation of energy, power.
  4. RADIOACTIVITY; Origin, nature and properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiations. Natural and artificial isotopes, activity, half life, radiation dose, production and use of radiation in medicine. Nuclear reactors.
  5. WAVES; Periodic waves, period, frequency, speed, amplitude, phase, wave equation, transverse and longitudinal waves. Sound, pitch, intensity, loudness. Reflection, refraction, diffraction, superposition and interference, standing waves, resonance. Electromagnetic spectrum, colours, colour addition, reflection, refraction. Convex and concave lenses, types of images, ray diagrams, the eye.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials and laboratory work.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestQuizzes25%
Laboratory WorkLaboratory performance25%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%

Text References

  • ^ Cutnell, J.D., & Johnson, K.W. (2015). Physics (10th ed.). New York: John Wiley.
  • Giancoli, D.C. (2005). Physics: principles with applications (6th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
  • Hewitt, P.G. (2012). Conceptual physics (11th ed.). San Francisco, California: Addison-Wesley.

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCP1134|2|2