Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Alex Fuerbach
Judith Dawes
Senior Scientific Officer
Adam Joyce
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
PHYS201 or PHYS2010
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
MATH235 or MATH2010
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit introduces the principles, theory and application of the two great pillars of 19th century classical physics: electromagnetism and thermodynamics. We first develop the theory of electromagnetism, which describes the properties and behaviour of electric and magnetic fields and their interaction with charged matter. Maxwell's four laws of electromagnetism are revisited, in the powerful language of vector calculus. We explore their power for understanding phenomena in electrostatics, magnetostatics and electrodynamics.
We then address the thermodynamic principles which guide our understanding of the physical world: the conservation of energy and the increase in entropy. We motivate the introduction of macroscopic state functions such as temperature, pressure, and volume to characterise the state of a system, and connect them with the concept of the equation of state, including the case of ideal and Van der Waals gases. The formulation of the Zeroth through the Third Laws of Thermodynamics are used to understand the concepts of reversible and irreversible engines as exemplars of all thermodynamic systems. Finally, we make a connection between entropy and information theory.
Advanced techniques of experimental physics including indirect measurement of microscopic quantities are covered in guided laboratory sessions, as are data analysis techniques and report writing.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
This unit has hurdle requirements, specifying a minimum standard that must be attained in aspects of the unit. To pass this unit you must obtain a mark of at least:
- 50% in the unit overall
as well as
- 40% in the final examination
and
- 40% in each individual laboratory activity (report or lab book).
In addition, you must also submit a minimum of 8 regular quizzes.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Lab reports | 20% | Yes | weekly |
Regular quizzes | 25% | Yes | weekly |
Final exam | 40% | Yes | Exam period |
Readings and peer-discussions | 15% | No | weekly |
Assessment Type 1: Lab report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: weekly
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Laboratory-related tasks, analysis, and reporting
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: weekly
Weighting: 25%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Short- and long-form problem solving questions, taken in SGTA sessions
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Exam period
Weighting: 40%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Final exam in the University Examination period.
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: weekly
Weighting: 15%
Preclass reading, annotation, and peer discussion using the Perusall tool
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Lab books and reports will be marked regularly.
Lecture content, tutorial questions and Perusall readings will form the basis for regular quizzes and final examination assessments of problem-solving skills and understanding of content.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
The subject has been adapted to accommodate COVID-19 shutdown. It is similar to the previous offering of PHYS202 in 2019.