PY1T10

Module PY1P10 Physics for Theoretical Physics

Cohort: JF Theoretical Physics

Credits: 10

What is Physics?

Lecturers: Professors J. Lunney, E.C. Finch

Duration: Michaelmas Term, 3 lectures

Description:
An introduction to the School of Physics and the subject.

Special Relativity

Lecturers: Professor J. Lunney

Duration: Michaelmas Term, 15 lectures

Description:
Galilean transformations, Michelson-Morley experiment. Lorentz transformations, time dilation, length contraction, simultaneity. Doppler effect. Transformation of velocities and forces. Relativistic dynamics. Pair creation, fission, fusion. Collisions. Compton effect. Relativity and electromagnetism.

Hearing and Seeing

Lecturers: Professor L. Bradley

Duration: Michaelmas Term, 18 lectures

Description:
Resonance, harmonic oscillators, SHM, frequency.
Waves: standing, travelling, wavelength, wave velocity.
Sound: music, vibrations of a string and of a column of air, harmonics, Doppler effect.
Light: Rayleigh scattering, refraction, reflection, dispersion, index of refraction, polarization, polarized reflection, Malus' law, birefringence, total internal reflection, colour vision, gas discharges, lasers.
Optics: refracting optics, lenses, real images, focus, focal length,
f-numbers, lens equation, cameras, reflecting optics, curved mirrors, telescopes.
Interference: superposition of waves, beating, 2 beam interference, anti-reflection coating.
Diffraction: Huygen's principle, diffraction by a slit and grating, X-ray diffraction.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Lecturers: Professor T. Ray

Duration: Michaelmas Term, 9 lectures

Description:
Denizens of our solar system; making stars and planets; creating the elements; the case of the missing matter.
Lecture Notes