Programme - Physics
Physics 2nd year (165 hours)
Teachers
Prof. Zbigniew Dunajski – (MSc, PhD, DSc) In the past: Polish Academy of Science - Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Mechatronics - Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Physics - University of Twente, Holland, currently – Department of Biophysics and Human Physiology, Medical University of Warsaw
Dr Maria Sobol – graduated (MSc, PhD) from the Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, currently employed by the Department of Biophysics and Human Physiology, Medical University of Warsaw.
Dr Piotr Jeleń – graduated (MSc) from the Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, and (PhD) from Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, currently employed by the Department of Biophysics and Human Physiology, Medical University of Warsaw.
Syllabus
Scalars and Vectors, Physical Measurement, Estimating
Distinction between scalar and vector quantities
Addition and subtraction of vectors
Multiplication and division of vectors by scalars
Multiplication of two vectors (dot product and cross product)
Decomposition of vectors into parallel and perpendicular components along chosen axes
Units, Standards, and the SI System
Order of magnitude
Significant figures
Motion
Kinematic concepts (displacement, distance, trajectory, velocity, speed, acceleration)
Frames of reference
Instantaneous and average values of speed, velocity and acceleration
Relative motion (relative velocity, relative acceleration)
Uniform motion in a straight line
Uniformly accelerated motion in a straight line
Uniform circular motion (centripetal acceleration)
Harmonic motion (simple harmonic oscillator)
– Models: mass on a spring, simple pendulum
– Period and frequency of harmonic oscillations
Mechanical waves, Sound
Graphical representation of motion
Elements of relativistic mechanics (speed of light, time dilation, length contraction, relativistic mass, momentum and energy)
Forces and Dynamics
Newton’s laws of motion
Newton’s first law
– translational equilibrium
– inertial reference frames
Newton’s second law (momentum and impulse)
Newton’s third law
Law of conservation of linear momentum (isolated system, inertial frame)
– Inelastic collisions
– Rockets (reaction engine)
Rotational motion
– Torque and rotational inertia
– Newton's second law for rotation
– Conservation of angular momentum
– Rotational kinetic energy
Static Equilibrium, Elasticity and Fracture
Fictitious forces, analysis of motion in noninertial reference frames
Dry friction
– Static friction
– Kinetic friction
Force due to air resistance (terminal velocity)
Fundamental Interactions (gravitational, electromagnetic, strong nuclear, weak nuclear)
Elementary particles (bosons, fermions: leptons, quarks (hadrons))
– Gravitational field
– Newton’s law of universal gravitation
– Visualization of gravitational field - gravitational field lines
– First and second cosmic velocities
– Weightlessness and overload
– Vertical free fall, vertical throw and horizontal throw near the Earth’s surface
Electric field
– Electric charge and Coulomb’s law
– Visualization of static electric field - electrostatic field lines
– Motion of charged particles in static electric field
Electric potential
– Electric current
– DC circuits
Magnetic field
– Visualization of magnetic field - magnetic field lines
– Magnetic field around a cylindrical current-carrying conductor
– Magnetic field in a solenoid
– Motion of charged particles in static magnetic field (Lorentz force)
Electromagnetic induction and Faraday’s law
Electromagnetic waves (properties, spectrum)
Strong interaction, weak interaction
Matter Properties
Atomic structure and physical properties of matter
Solid phase
– Amorphous body
– Crystal body
– Thermal expansion of a solid body
Liquid phase
– Internal structure of liquids
– Models of water structure
– Surface tension, meniscus
Gaseous phase
Electrical properties of matter
– Electrical conductors (metals)
– Electrical conductivity of metals as a function of temperature
– Insulators
– Semiconductors
Magnetic properties of matter
– Diamagnetic materials
– Paramagnetic materials
– Ferromagnetic materials
Order and Chaos in Nature
Temperature and kinetic model of an ideal gas
The ideal gas equation
– Boyle’s law (T=const isothermal process)
– Charles’ law (p=const; changes of thermal energy and work done by a gas in isobaric process)
– Gay-Lussac’s law (V=const; changes of thermal energy in isochoric process)
First law of thermodynamics (practical calculations/usage/application)
Entropy and Second Law of Thermodynamics (formulate the law and resulting
conclusions only)
Heat engines
– The Carnot engine
– Efficiency of thermodynamic engines
– Reversible/irreversible process (examples)
Optics
The nature of light
– Speed of light
– Relation of speed, frequency and wavelength
– Visible light spectrum
Reflection of light
– Reflection in a plane and in a curved mirror (mirror equation)
– Constructing images formed by mirrors (type of image, magnification)
Refraction of light
– Refractive index
– Snell’s law
– Dispersion due to a prism
– Critical angle and total internal reflection
Lenses
– Types of lenses
– Focus, focal length, optical power, magnification
– Image formation
– Thin lens equation
– Optical power of a thin lens (lens maker’s formula)
Optical instruments
– Microscope
– Telescope
– Aberrations
Diffraction
– Diffraction grating
– Interference
Interference from two point source
– Young’s double slit experiment
Polarization and polarizer
– Absorptive polarizer
– Beam-splitting polarizer
– Polarization by reflection (Brewster angle)
– Birefringent polarizer
External photoelectric effect (photoelectric cell)
Bohr’s model of the hydrogen atom
– Atomic energy states
– Emission spectrum (frequencies, wavelengths)
Absorption and emission spectra – application of spectrum analysis
Laser – design and practical application
The eye and sight
– Myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness)
– Correction of vision defects
Energy Transport and Transformation
Work, energy and power
Kinetic energy
Potential energy
– Gravitational potential energy
– Elastic potential energy
Transformation of energy in harmonic motion
Mechanical resonance
The Principle of Energy Conservation
The Equivalence of Mass and Energy (E=mc2)
Nuclear fission
– Nuclear structure
– Mass number, atomic number
– Nuclear energy levels
Isotope, nucleon
Uranium-235 chain reaction
Nuclear mass defect, nuclear binding energy
Radioactive decay law
Half-life of nuclear decay
Nuclear radiation (α particles, β particles, γ radiation) applications
Description of energy transport in wave movement
Description of thermal energy transfer
– convection
– conduction
– radiation
Structure and Evolution of Universe
Analysis of thermonuclear fusion in stars
The Solar System – sizes and distances between astronomic objects
Planet movement – Kepler’s laws
Star evolution, H-R diagram
The Big-Bang Model
Unity of the Micro-World and the Macro-World
De Broglie’s hypothesis – a matter wave
Experimental confirmation of de Broglie hypothesis
Wave–particle duality
Heisenberg uncertainty principle
Bibliography
Douglas C. Giancoli: Physics, Pearson New International Edition, Sixth Edition, Pearson Education Limited 2014
