Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer
Michael Steel
Contact via Email
7WW 2.713
Mondays 2-3 pm
Lecturer, Unit Convenor
Thomas Volz
Contact via Email
9WW 2.242
by appointment
Senior Scientific Officer
Gina Dunford
Contact via 8971
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(PHYS201 or PHYS2010) and (PHYS202 or PHYS2020) and (MATH235 or MATH2010)
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
PHYS301 or PHYS3010
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit introduces basic thermodynamic principles and connects them with the physical laws and the statistical nature of the microscopic world governing the behaviour of the matter around us. We start out with the concept of temperature and investigate the emergence of the Boltzmann factor in the canonical ensemble. We then proceed with the kinetic theory of gases and discuss transport properties and thermal diffusion. The first and second law of thermodynamics form the foundation for understanding the basic working principles of thermodynamic engines. We next introduce three key pillars of statistical physics: the equipartition theorem, partition functions and the influence of distinguishability on the counting statistics of particles. This sets us up for a discussion of basic solid-state phenomena as they were known in early 20th century, including Debye theory of the heat capacity of solids, the basics of Drude transport theory and Sommerfeld’s electron model. In order to understand more intricate properties of solid crystals, the periodic nature of the underlying crystal lattice must be considered. The unit will first introduce the 1D solid as a model system for illustrating the basic consequence of having a periodic lattice. The powerful concept of reciprocal lattice is introduced and subsequently generalized to all three dimensions, with specific examples given for the different cubic lattice structures. Wave scattering by crystals and its connection to the reciprocal lattice is discussed with particular view to the X-ray experiment on offer in the labs. Electronic properties are mapped to the existence of band structure and the emergence of band-filling patterns in different materials. Finally, the unit concludes with a discussion of a couple of cutting-edge research topics in modern solid-state physics. |
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:
The 'estimated time on task' for each assessment item is an estimate of the additional time needed to complete each assessment outside of all scheduled learning activities. These estimates assume that you actively engage with all scheduled learning activities and spend an additional 31 hours of self-led study during the session.
If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled after the end of the normal exam period. By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments. Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. Approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.
General Faculty Policy on assessment submission deadlines and late submissions:
Online quizzes, in-class activities, scheduled tests and exams must be undertaken at the time indicated in the unit guide. Should these activities be missed due to illness or misadventure, students may apply for Special Consideration.
All other assessments must be submitted by 5:00 pm on their due date.
Should these assessments be missed due to illness or misadventure, students should apply for Special Consideration.
Assessments not submitted by the due date will receive a mark of zero unless late submissions are specifically allowed as indicated in the unit guide or on iLearn.
If late submissions are permitted as indicated in the unit guide or on iLearn a consistent penalty will be applied for late submissions as follows:
A 12-hour grace period will be given after which the following deductions will be applied to the awarded assessment mark: 12 to 24 hours late = 10% deduction; for each day thereafter, an additional 10% per day or part thereof will be applied until five days beyond the due date. After this time, a mark of zero (0) will be given. For example, an assessment worth 20% is due 5 pm on 1 January. Student A submits the assessment at 1 pm, 3 January. The assessment received a mark of 15/20. A 20% deduction is then applied to the mark of 15, resulting in the loss of three (3) marks. Student A is then awarded a final mark of 12/20.
Specific assessment information regarding lab experiments and reports
Students will have to conduct four out of the seven following experiments available in the practical part of PHYS3180:
Please note the following points
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Final exam | 40% | No | during examination period |
Assignments | 30% | No | Issued approximately fortnightly and due 7-10 days later. |
Lab reports | 30% | No | week 7 & week 13 |
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: during examination period
Weighting: 40%
Examination in the university exam period, covering the entire content from the unit.
Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: Issued approximately fortnightly and due 7-10 days later.
Weighting: 30%
Problem sets, released every two weeks.
Assessment Type 1: Lab report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: week 7 & week 13
Weighting: 30%
Documentation of experiments, including formal reports and digital labbook record.
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
Required textbook covering the week 1-6:
Concepts in Thermal Physics, 2nd edition, by S.J. & K.M. Blundell
Required textbook covering the week 7-13:
Oxford Solid State Basics, by Steven H. Simon.
Note: Lecture materials, additional reading and assignments will be posted to iLearn
Lecture content
Note: The division by week and topics is only approximate and will change depending on progress.
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Labs schedule (location E7B 252)
The assignments will be handed out bi-weekly with the exact dates announced on iLearn.
Labwork
The due dates for lab reports will be announced in class and on iLearn well in advance.
Note: You are required to carry out four experiments, each taking no more than two weeks to complete, and to submit reports on two of them according to the deadlines announced in class and on iLearn. See above General Faculty Policy on assessment submission deadlines and late submissions.
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Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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
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Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
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For interested students, there might be the possibility to help refine and further develop the newly established teaching experiment on 2D materials. This option will be discussed in the introductory lab session.
Unit information based on version 2022.02 of the Handbook