Module overview
The first part of the module focuses on Newton’s laws of motion, potentials, conservation of energy, momentum and angular momentum, projectiles, circular motion, gravity and simple harmonic motion including damping.
The second part of the module is an introduction to Special Relativity,
including time dilation, length contraction, Lorentz transformations, relativistic kinematics and the relation between mass and energy.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- To be able to describe simple harmonic motion including damping and be able to apply them to physical systems.
- To understand the postulates of Special Relativity and their consequences in terms of Time dilation and length contraction.
- To know Newton’s laws of motion, potentials, conservation of energy, momentum and angular momentum, and be able to apply them to projectiles, circular motion, and gravity.
- To understand Lorentz transformations, relativistic kinematics and the relation between mass and energy.
Syllabus
- Classical mechanics
- Newton’s laws of motion
- Conservative forces and potentials
- Conservation of Energy and momentum
- Projectiles
- Circular motion
- Angular momentum
- Newton’s law of gravitation
- Oscillations
- Harmonic Oscillator – equation of motion – and solutions
- Examples of oscillatory motion
- Damping
- Q-factors
- Relativity
- Postulates of Special Relativity
- Michelson- Morley experiment
- Simultaneity, Lorentz-Fitzgerald contraction, time dilation
- Lorentz transformations
- Relativistic Doppler Effect
- Relativistic transformation of velocities
- Relativistic momentum and kinetic energy
- E=mc^2 and application
Learning and Teaching
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Follow-up work | 18 |
| Wider reading or practice | 51 |
| Lecture | 36 |
| Completion of assessment task | 17 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 18 |
| Revision | 10 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
University Physics published by Pearson specially for Southampton University. Copies will be made available to the students through the university bookshop.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Weekly course work will be set and assessed in the normal way, but only the best ‘n-2’ attempts will contribute to the final coursework mark. Here n is the number of course work items issued during that Semester. As an example, if you are set 10 sets of course work across a Semester, the best 8 of those will be counted.
In an instance where a student may miss submitting one or two sets of course work, those sets will not be counted. Students will, however, still be required to submit Self Certification forms on time for all excused absences, as you may ultimately end up missing 3+ sets of course work through illness, for example. The submitted Self Certification forms may be considered as evidence for potential Special Considerations requests.
In the event that a third (or higher) set of course work is missed, students will be required to go through the Special Considerations procedures in order to request mitigation for that set. Please note that documentary evidence will normally be required before these can be considered.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 70% |
| Mid-Semester Test | 10% |
| Problem Sheets | 20% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 70% |
| Coursework marks carried forward | 30% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework marks carried forward | 30% |
| Examination | 70% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External