Overview

Following Physics 1, this module continues to provide the appropriate foundation in Physics knowledge and related practical skills to enable you to be successful in your planned undergraduate studies in the fields of engineering and computer science.

The main topics covered are:

Electricity and Electronics: Current and charge; Potential difference; voltage; key equations

Fields and their effects: Fields; their nature, strength and forces; Potential and potential energy in fields; Graphs and diagrams of field strength and potential; intermolecular fields; Electrical and gravitational fields from spheres and points; Earth’s ‘uniform’ gravitational field; Launching satellites from earth; Uniform electric fields; Capacitance of parallel plates and isolated spheres; Measuring magnetic fields and their forces; Using magnetic field formulae; Principles of electromagnetic induction; Calculating flux; Magnetic/electric circuit analogy; Inductance and transformers; Electromagnetic fields.

Data Analysis: Units and dimensions; Graphs; Errors.

Practical skills: Written procedures, investigative processes, equipment safety, recording observations, presenting findings.

Assessment Strategy

Threshold (40-49% / D- to D+): Student has made sufficient progress in the study of this module to achieve the lowest level of pass allowing for progression onto an undergraduate degree.

Satisfactory (50 – 59% / C- to C+): Student demonstrates reasonably comprehensive coverage of learning outcomes, indicating generally accurate understanding, based on lecture material and some core readings. Some gaps in knowledge and/or understanding evident.

Good (60-69% / B- to B+): Student has displayed a sound basic knowledge and understanding of much of the material studied in this module and achieved a high enough grade to indicate a clear ability to cope with the demands of an undergraduate level degree.

Excellent (70% + / A- to A*): Student has engaged consistently well with all aspects of the module and strong achievement in assessments indicates the ability to perform effectively at undergraduate degree level.

Learning Outcomes

• Carry out experiments on electricity in order to confirm theory and write up findings appropriately

• Carry out scientific calculations using a consistent set of units

• Demonstrate an understanding of fields and their effects and apply the theoretical framework to solve mathematical and practical problems

• Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical bases of electricity and begin to apply them to practical problems met in engineering, for example, instrumentation, and computing