PHYS2712 Thermodynamics and Electromagnetic Waves

2017

4.5

3 x 50-minute lectures weekly
7 x 3-hour laboratories per semester
2 x 3-hour computer labs per semester

1 1 of PHYS1102, PHYS1122, PHYS1602
2 1 of MATH2111, MATH2711, ENGR2711
Must Satisfy: (1 and 2)

1 of CPES2003, CPES2012, CPES2132, ENGR3712, PHYS9712 has been successfully completed

The aims of this topic are focussed on building a sound understanding of the fundamentals of electromagnetic waves and thermodynamics. In addition to building an understanding of the basic theories in these areas of physics, students will also begin to critically examine theoretical concepts and develop their computational and visualisation skills using computational software like Mathematica and build experimental competence and confidence through directed laboratory exercises. Developing their computational and visualisation skills will be achieved by calculating complex electric and magnetic fields.

In this topic students will learn the fundamentals of Thermodynamics and Electromagnetic Waves and develop computational skills by calculating complex electric and magnetic fields with computational software like Mathematica. Students will receive hands-on instruction in computational software and develop vital generic computational skills. The students will learn how to apply the concepts to solve experimental problems.

At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate the understanding of the concepts of Thermodynamics and Electromagnetic Waves and to apply them to experiments
2. Calculate complex electric and magnetic fields
3. Use computational software (eg Mathematica)
4. Apply the concepts of Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism to laboratory experiments