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Topics from elementary physics selected as particularly relevant to the life and earth sciences and to an understanding of our environment.
COURSE PHILOSOPHYPHYS106 is a 6-point first year Physics course in Semester 2 designed for students intending to advance in Earth or Life Sciences. Through the discussion of a variety of interesting topics you will become accustomed to the techniques and methods used by physicists and to some of the ways in which physics is relevant to our everyday lives. For example, the role of measurements and their accuracy, the SI system of units, etc. In PHYS106 emphasis is placed on developing:• sound logical decision making skills;• an understanding of the fundamentals of some everyday physics;• an appreciation of physics and of its applications in the modern world;• lifetime learning skills.The course does use mathematics, but only algebra and trigonometry, and it is taught at a level and pace suitable for those people who do not have a strong background in physics or mathematics. The course is not specifically designed for students who plan to advance to 200-level physics or engineering, although it may be used as a prerequisite for PHYS113. COURSE CONTENTPHYS106 is divided into two equal-sized sections. Section W: Waves: Sound, light and earthquakes.General properties of waves: Frequency, wavelength, period, speed, amplitude.Sound: Resonance, interference, production and detection of sound.Light: The electromagnetic spectrum, interference effects, colours in nature (rainbows, oil slicks. paua shells etc), polarization of light, lasers, lenses. Earthquakes: Types of earthquake waves, seismic intensity scale, using earthquakes to study the Earth’s interior.Section X: Radiation, radioactivity and nuclear physics.Atomic physics: Elements of quantum mechanics, atomic structure, electrons and nucleus. Photons. Electromagnetic radiation, microwaves, IR, UV and X rays. Nuclear Physics: Substructure of the nucleus, protons and neutrons. Radioactivity, alpha, beta and gamma radiation. Half-life and activity. Ionization and range. Radiation detection. Natural and artificial radiation. Applications: Medical imaging and diagnostics. Fusion, fission, nuclear reactors. Nuclear weapons. Biological effects of ionizing radiation, dosimetry. Radiation protection. Therapeutic uses. Food irradiation. Radiocarbon dating. Nuclear waste.
PHYS111
Richard Watts
Alistair Lightfoot
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An important principle operating in this course will be that ofLEARNING THROUGH ACTIVE PARTICIPATION. This means that you must be prepared to attend all the lectures, laboratories and tutorials and attempt all the homework assignments and the four course tests. If you are unable to meet all these commitments, then this course may not be well suited to you. The only exceptions to full participation in all aspects of the course will be• students who have been issued with a written lab exemption;• students who produce a doctor’s certificate (or other evidence) to the Laboratory Technician (in the case of missed laboratory work) or to the Course Coordinator (in case of missing other work). All students must demonstrate that they can communicate clearly in written and verbal English. This can be demonstrated with a satisfactory performance in the University's Academic Writing Assessment & Teaching (AWAT) Programme test.
Domestic fee $654.00
International fee $2,895.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Physics and Astronomy .