Course Description

Course Name

Matter and Interactions

Session: VCPS3118

Hours & Credits

36 Host University Units

Prerequisites & Language Level

Course entry requirements: Students will be expected to have passed NSC Physical Science with at least 60%. MAM1000W (or equivalent) must have been passed or be taken concurrently.
Students registered for this course will be assessed in week 5; if it is judged that they are not coping with the level and pace of the course, and would benefit from an opportunity to strengthen foundational concepts and learn new material at a slower pace, they will be required to transfer to PHY1031F or PHY1023H from week 7.

Taught In English

  • There is no language prerequisite for courses at this language level.

Overview

Course outline:
PHY1004W is an advanced calculus-based introductory course for Science students intending to continue with second-year Physics. It features the modelling of physical systems from fundamental principles, and computational problem solving using VPython. The course includes the following topics: Modern mechanics: Conservation laws, the momentum principle, atomic nature of matter, conservation of energy, energy in macroscopic systems, energy quantization, multi-particle systems, exploring the nucleus, angular momentum, entropy, kinetic theory of gases, efficiency of engines.
Electric and magnetic interactions: Electric fields, electric potential, magnetic fields, electric circuits, capacitance, resistance, magnetic force, Gauss' law, Ampere's law, Faraday's law, induction, electromagnetic radiation, waves and particles.

*Course content subject to change