PHYSICS 3

(Date of document: 25 May 2012)

Course Code
Course Status
Level
Trimester Taught
Credit
Pre-requisite
Assessments

:
:
:
:
:
:
:

Lecturer

PHYF144
Core
Foundation
3
4
Physics 1 (PHYF115)
Quizzes and Assignments
Midterm Test
Final Examination
:

25%
25%
50%

Dr. Rosmiza Mokhtar, Liaw Hock Sang, Siti Nur Sarah Ridhuwan

Course Description :

This course is the final course in physics for the foundation program at Universiti Tenaga
Nasional. It covers several topics, which are not included in PHYF115 and PHYF125. It
includes topics on heat and thermodynamics, waves, optics and modern physics.

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, the students should be able to

Explain and describe applications of laws and concepts of physics related to heat and
thermodynamics, waves, optics and modern physics

Identify the importance of heat and thermodynamics, waves, optics and modern physics
in relevant applications

Course Outcomes vs. PO matrix:

Course Outcomes
PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5
1. To recall the zeroth law of thermodynamic, to calculate the temperature and
x
thermal expansion of solids and liquids.
2. To identify the characteristics of various thermodynamic processes, to
apply the first laws of thermodynamic and/or to obtain various information
on the microscopic model of an ideal during thermodynamic processes.
3. To calculate the pressure of fluids at different depth and/or to apply the
Archimedes Principle to analyze the mechanics of fluid.
4. To analyze the simple harmonic motion in a block-spring system and/or a
simple pendulum.
5. To determine the resultant waves using the superposition principle and/or
to distinguish between traveling and standing waves.
6. To calculate the properties of light using the law of Geometric Optics, to
identify the characteristics of image formed by mirrors, refracting surfaces
and thin lenses and/or to analyze the interference of light.
7. To describe and to analyze photoelectric effect, Compton effect and Bohrs
quantum model of atom.
Assessments Methods
1. Final Exam
2. Midterm Test
3. Quizzes/ Assignments
Total student learning time
(SLT)
L = Lecture
T = Tutorial
P = Practical
O = Others

CO1
x
x
x

CO2
x
x
x

CO3
x
x
x

CO4
x
x
x

x
x
x
x
x
x

CO5
x

CO6
x

CO7
x

x
Total guided and
independent learning

Face to face
L
3214=84

T
2314=84

O
168

Course Outline:
1.

Temperature (Chapter 19)

Temperature and zeroth law of thermodynamics
Thermometer and temperature scales
Thermal expansion of solids and liquids

6. Wave Motion (Chapter 16)

Sinusoidal waves
The speed of waves on strings
Energy transmitted by sinusoidal waves on strings

2.

The First Law of Thermodynamic (Chapter 20)

Work and heat in thermodynamic processes
First law of thermodynamics
Heat transfer

7. Superposition and Standing Waves (Chapter 18)

Superposition and Interference of sinusoidal waves
Standing waves
Standing waves in a string fixed at both ends

3.

The Kinetic Theory of Gases (Chapter 21)

Molecular model of an ideal gas
Specific heat of an ideal gas
Adiabatic processes for an ideal gas

4.

Fluid Mechanics (Chapter 14)

Pressure
Variation of pressure with depth
Pressure measurement
Buoyant forces and Archimedess principle
Fluid dynamics
Bernoullis equation

8. The Nature of Light and the Laws of Geometric

Optics (Chapter 35)
The nature of light
Measurements of the speed of light
Reflection and refraction
Total internal reflection

5.

Oscillatory Motion (Chapter 15)

Motion of object attached to a spring
Mathematical representation of simple harmonic
motion
Energy of the simple Harmonic Oscillator
Comparing Simple Harmonic Motion with Uniform
Circular Motion*
Pendulum

9. Image Formation (Chapter 36)

Images formed by flat mirrors
Images formed by spherical mirrors
Images formed by refraction
Thin Lenses
10. Interference of Light Waves (Chapter 37)

Conditions for interference

Youngs double-slit experiment

Intensity distribution of the double-slit

interference pattern
11. Modern Physics (Chapters 40 and 42)

The photoelectric effect

The Compton effect

Bohr's quantum model of the atom

Reference:
Raymond A. Serway & John W. Jewett, Jr, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 2010, 8 th edition. Brooks/ColeCengage Learning (formally known as Thomson Learning).
What are Programme Outcomes (PO)?
POs are the expected traits that UNITEN students should have upon graduation.
Program Outcomes
PO
No.

Students graduating from the Foundation Program

will have the ability to :

Blooms
Domains
& Levels

PO1

Acquire and demonstrate understanding of fundamental knowledge needed for degree

program.

C2

PO2

Apply the acquired knowledge to identify and solve complex problems.

C4

PO3

Use technological tools and techniques to conduct experiments and/or assignment, and to
analyse data.

PO4

Communicate effectively.

PO5

Function effectively as a team member as well as a leader.

C1 = Knowledge
C2 = Comprehension
C3 = Application

C4 = Analysis
C5 = Synthesis
C6 = Evaluation

(C = Cognitive Domain)
P = Psychomotor Domain
A = Affective Domain

Lecture notes and other resources at http://lms.uniten.edu.my/moodle/course/view.php?id=629