PHY 1420 - Course Outline 50097

EDEN UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED SCIENCES
INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS II
PHY 1420
COURSE OUTLINE – SEMESTER 2
Lecturer Mr. Chileshe. A
Tutors Mr. Litebele. L
Ms. Chileshe. M
Ms. Nyirongo. R
Jan 2023 Intake

PREFACE
Physics is the most fundamental of the natural sciences which deals with the structure and behavior of
matter. It is the science concerned with the description of the interactions of energy, matter, space, and
time. Physics is especially interested in what fundamental mechanisms underlie every phenomenon. It
plays a very central role in the technological and economic advancement of a nation.
What then is Physics? It can be defined as follows:

1. Physics is the study of the laws of Nature and the application of these laws to non-living things.
2. It is the science of matter and energy and the relations between them.
3. It is the body of knowledge gained from the study of natural phenomena.
Physicists work in all sectors of the economy especially in different branches of science and make
important contributions to applied sciences.
D. M. Fubara, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Hacourt, Nigeria in an Internal
Report on Physics and Development No. 3, Miramare – Trieste May 1983 had this to say about Physics:
“Physics is the descriptive formulation of the universe as a system of concepts expressible mathematically.
The universe is physics. The conquest of the universe is development. Development is a measure of the
advancement in science, engineering and technology arising solely from resolved physics concepts.
Therefore, development is a progressive resolution of physics concepts.”
Is Physics difficult?
The answer can be yes or no. With the right attitude and approach the answer is no otherwise it is yes. This
is true for all the other courses you will be taking. In the lectures we will cover only the most important
parts. Therefore, you should read the textbook very carefully. Read again and again until you understand
the concepts. Do not try to memorize a lot of facts or rules. The most important thing is to learn how to
answer questions and solve end of chapter problems. As mentioned earlier, memorizing is not very helpful
instead you must understand how a particular problem is solved. Remember it not beneficial work in
isolation from one course mates but rather work cooperatively with them. The lectures will be
complimented by tutorial sessions which will be conducted once in a week.
The tutorials aim at training you in solving Physics problems particularly those related to the theory
covered in lectures so that you can achieve a good understanding of the theory. It is therefore recommended
that you participate actively in tutorial sessions. To a large measure, this will certainly improve your results
and might even be the decisive factor of whether you will pass the course or not.
The tutorials will be organized as follows: You are strongly advised to solve the problems before hand at
home and then these problems will then be discussed as group in the tutorial session. Each one of you is
expected to go to the board and make an oral presentation of the solution to group members. You should
rise and shine and do not be shy! The tutorial session will be moderated by the tutor and s/he will intervene
only if you fail to solve a problem, or to present an alternative way of solving a problem, or to clarify any
matter.
It is of vital importance that you prepare for the tutorial by solving problems beforehand at home. This
will help you identify where your own difficulties lie otherwise just copying from the board what other
people are doing will not help you much and you will lose most of its value. You must remember that at
university level, you must go to knowledge and not the other way around.
The best way to learn Physics is through actively solving problems. Remember that just as listening to
recordings won't teach you to play piano (though it can help), merely reading a textbook won't teach you
physics (though it too can help). You MUST work the problems. Your text books contain a large number
of solved problems in every chapter. It would be a good idea to test your understanding by closing the
book and try these problems on your own and then refer to the book if you get stuck. It is good practice to
test your test your understanding of the concepts you learn in class while ideas are still fresh in mind.
Don’t wait until the end!
Your performance in tutorials will be assessed taking some tutorial tests, commonly known as quizzes,
during the year. The quizzes will not be announced earlier and will be taken during the first 10-15 minutes
of a normal tutorial session after the normal tutorial session will continue. The tutorial test problems which
you will be required to solve will be randomly picked from the tutorial sheet by your tutor. The problems
will be of standard hardness, meaning that they will neither be too difficult nor too simple. Each quiz will
be marked out of 10 and at the end of the year ALL the tests will counted, contributing five percent (5 %)
of your continuous assessment.
You can find a lot of problems related to the PHY 1420 course in the following books:
1. Serway Jewett, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 6th edition, (2004), Thomson Brooks/Cole.
2. F. W. Sears, M. W. Zemansky, and H. D. Young, University Physics, Addison Wesley, 1987.
3. Fredrick. J. Bueche and Euegene Hecht, College Physics, 9th ed., Shaum’s Outlines Series,
McGraw-Hil, USA.
4. A. Halpern, 3000 Solved Problems in Physics, Shaum’s Solved Problem Series, McGraw Hil,
USA.
The list of references given above is by no means exhaustive, so you may refer to any refer to any other
book you find appropriate. Whenever you encounter difficulties do not hesitate to consult your group tutor
or even your lecturer. Remember that your own classmates are an invaluable source of information who
you can easily consult any time.
PHYSICS PROBLEM SOLVING HINTS
Having tools and knowing how to use these tools are two different things. Very often one may know and
understand certain concepts but the challenge is knowing when and where to apply these concepts to
specific problems in physics. The best way to test you understanding of the concepts you learn in class is
to solve problems which must be done not long after you have covered certain concepts. When solving
any physics problem, you need to follow some procedures in order to obtain the correct solution. The
following procedures are quite useful:
1. Understand the Problem.

You must understand the problem you are solving for you to obtain the correct solution. This requires
reading the problem very carefully. If you do not understand some of the terms and/or concepts in the
problem go back to the material on which the problem is based. Problems can either be qualitative or
quantitative in nature. For quantitative problems it is good practice to estimate the magnitude of the answer
you expect.
2. Analyze the Problem
After understanding the problem, break it into its components so that you can identify the
a) given data
b) target variable(s) i.e. unknown variable(s) and
c) relevant concepts such as equation(s), law(s), or definition(s) that connects the data to the
unknown(s).
3. Plan the Solution
After identifying the target variables assign specific symbols to them and then make a connection
between the given data and the unknown(s) as a series of discrete steps. In most cases this will
involve manipulation of the identified mathematical or physical expressions so as to write them
in terms of the unknown quantities.
4. Execute the Solution

After making a clear connection between the data and the unknowns, it only remains to do the
mathematics. It is usually advisable to work with symbols and then substitute numerical values at
the very end. Before you substitute numerical values ensure that all ancillary operations such
conversion of units to the appropriate form has been done. Ensure that you have used the correct
signs, exponents and units. You must keep a sharp eye on units because they often provide useful
clues.
5. Evaluate your Answer
The aim of solving physics problems is gain a better understanding and not necessarily to obtain
a number or formula. You must therefore examine your answer to see whether
a) It makes sense
b) It has the correct units
c) It really answers the question at hand.
d) Your mathematics is right.
6. Presentation of the Solution

Your solution must be logically and coherently presented. You must show your reasoning and
working as clearly as possible with appropriate diagrams where necessary. You must also ensure
that your answer is legible (readable), that is, both your handwriting and font size MUST be
comfortable for your instructor. This will definitely save a lot of time!
Adapted from: University of Zambia Introductory Physics Tutorial Problem booklet and
University Physics with modern physics by Sears and Zemansky
BEST WISHES!
PHY 1420 COURSE CONTENT
1. Simple harmonic oscillations (S.H.M)

Learning outcomes;
✓ Describe simple examples of free oscillations.
✓ Understand and use the terms amplitude, period, frequency, angular frequency and phase
difference and express the period in terms of both frequency and angular frequency.
✓ Recognize and use the equation 𝑎 = −𝜔𝑥 2 as the defining equation of simple harmonic
motion.
✓ Recall and use 𝑥 = 𝑥0 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡 as a solution to the equation 𝑎 = −𝜔𝑥 2 .
✓ Recognize and use the equations 𝑣 = 𝑣𝑂 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜔𝑡 and 𝑣 = ±𝜔√(𝑥02 − 𝑥 2 ).
✓ Describe the interchange between kinetic and potential energy during simple harmonic
motion.
✓ Describe practical examples of damped oscillations with particular reference to the effects
of the degree of damping and the importance of critical damping.
✓ Describe practical examples of forced oscillations and resonance.
2. Waves
Learning outcomes;
✓ Describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibration in ropes, springs and
ripple tanks.
✓ Understand and use the terms displacement, amplitude, phase difference, period,
frequency, wavelength and speed.
✓ Deduce, from the definitions of speed, frequency and wavelength, the wave equation 𝑣 =
𝑓𝜆.
✓ Understand that energy is transferred by a progressive wave.
✓ recall and use the relationship 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 ∝ (𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒)2
✓ Compare transverse and longitudinal waves.
✓ Analyze and interpret graphical representations of transverse and longitudinal waves.
3. Sound Waves
Learning outcomes;
✓ Speed of Sound Waves.
✓ Periodic Sound Waves.
✓ Energy, Power, and Intensity of Sound Waves.
✓ The Decibel Scale.
✓ Hearing Response to Intensity and Frequency.
✓ The Doppler Effect.
✓ Supersonic Speeds and Shock Waves.
4. Light Waves and Optics
Learning outcomes;
✓ Nature of Light.
✓ Reflection of Light.
✓ Refraction of Light.
✓ Refraction through a Prism.
✓ Dispersion of Light.
✓ Formation of Images by Reflection.
✓ Formation of Images by Refraction.
5. Temperature Scales and Heating Matter.
Learning outcomes;
✓ Explain the different physical quantities that vary with temperature for different
thermometers.
✓ Describe the principal features of liquid in glass, resistance, constant volume and constant
pressure thermometers and their relative advantages and disadvantages.
✓ Describe the range of the different types of thermometers.
✓ Define heat capacity (𝐶) and specific heat capacity (𝑐).
✓ Determine the specific heat capacity of a solid and a liquid using electrical method.
✓ Define specific latent heat of ice and of steam.
✓ Determine the specific latent heat of ice and of steam by the method of mixtures.
✓ Explain the different methods of applying cooling correction.
✓ Solve problems involving heat capacity and latent heats.
6. Fluids in Motion.
Learning outcomes;
✓ Explain steady flow, turbulent flow, laminar flow and viscosity.
✓ Derive and use the equation of continuity.
✓ Derive Bernoulli’s equation and use it in solving problems.
✓ Define viscosity and give the S I unit and dimension of viscosity.
7. Electricity.
Learning outcomes;
✓ Define charge, current, potential difference, resistance, power and energy and their units.
✓ State and verify Ohm’s law, resistors in series and in parallel.
✓ Define temperature coefficient of resistance.
✓ Define resistivity and Conductivity.
✓ State Kirchoff’s laws and use them in simple circuits.
8. Introduction to Nuclear Physics.
Learning outcomes;
✓ Explain the constituents of the nucleus of an atom.
✓ Describe the nuclear models.
✓ Describe radioactive processes.
✓ Describe the nuclear reactions.
✓ Explain the different kind of ways by which radiations interact with matter.
✓ Applications to problems.

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EDEN UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED SCIENCES

COURSE OUTLINE – SEMESTER 2

Lecturer Mr. Chileshe. A

Tutors Mr. Litebele. L

Jan 2023 Intake

What then is Physics? It can be defined as follows:

PHYSICS PROBLEM SOLVING HINTS

1. Understand the Problem.

4. Execute the Solution

6. Presentation of the Solution

1. Simple harmonic oscillations (S.H.M)

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