640-122 Physics B (Adv)

Students may only gain credit for one of 640-006, 640-122, 640-142, 640-152 and 640-162.

A high level of achievement in VCE Unit 3/4 Physics and Specialist Mathematics or equivalent. It will be assumed that students are familiar with the content of 640-121 Physics A (Adv).

This subject is designed for students with a strong background in physics. It aims to provide students with a deep understanding of a broad range of physics principles together with the application of these principles to physical and biological situations.

Students completing this subject will be able to:

• explain the basic principles of electricity and magnetism, wave and particle nature of light, atomic and nuclear physics;

• apply these principles, together with mathematical reasoning, to situations in the physical and biological sciences; and

• acquire and interpret experimental data.

In addition students will be able to:

• participate as an effective member of tutorial, laboratory and study groups;

• communicate their understanding of physics orally and in written form in tutorials, lab classes and study groups; and

• manage their time commitments to this subject in order to be prepared for regular lab and tutorial classes as well as tests and examination.

The subject provides an introduction to electromagnetism: electrostatics, circuits, magnetism, electric and magnetic properties of matter, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves; quantum theory: historical foundation, wave and particle properties of electrons and photons; and atomic and nuclear physics: atomic and nuclear structure, X-rays, radioactivity, and nuclear radiations, fission and fusion, nuclear power.

Ongoing assessment of laboratory work during the semester (25%); up to three tests totalling up to two hours during the semester (10%); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (65%). Satisfactory completion of laboratory work is necessary to pass the subject.

• D Halliday, R Resnick and J Walker, Fundamentals of Physics. 7th edn, Wiley 2005.