Foundations of Physics 1 (PHYS1122)

These materials are design to complement my teaching in Foundations of Physics tutorials. They are the minimum background reading for the tutorial. Some notes may be updated after the tutorial with worked examples and extra details.

Download the tutorial checklist (last updated 15/12/22) ›

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Download all tutorial notes ›

October 2022

  • Dimensional analysis, units and significant figures

    starting October 10

    last updated October 11

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  • Order of magnitude estimations and relative motion

    starting October 17

    last updated October 30

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  • Dimensional analysis in fluid dynamics and conservative forces

    starting October 24

    Download
  • Simple harmonic motion

    starting October 31

    last updated October 30

    Download

November 2022

  • Equilibria

    starting November 7

    last updated November 12

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  • Orbital mechanics

    starting November 14

    Download
  • Progress test feedback session

    starting November 21

  • Standing waves

    starting November 28

    Download

December 2022

  • Snells' law and polarisation

    starting December 5

    [No notes — these tutorials will be covered by someone else.]

January 2023

  • Circuits

    starting January 9

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  • Phasors

    starting January 16

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  • Linear superposition of electric fields

    starting January 23

    last updated February 1

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  • The muon problem

    starting January 30

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February 2023

  • Gauss' law and Gaussian surfaces

    starting February 6

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  • Dielectrics and magnetic fields

    starting February 13

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  • Photoelectric effect, de Broglie wavelengths and blackbodies

    starting February 20

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  • Lorentz transformations and Compton scattering

    starting February 27

    last updated March 1

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March 2023

  • Ampère's law

    starting March 6

    Download
  • Buoyancy and pressure in fluids

    starting March 13

    last updated March 14

    Download

April 2023

  • Quantum mechanics revision

    starting April 24

    Download

Homework Solutions

Mech 1.1, Mech 1.2, Mech 2.1, Osc 1, Mech 2.3, Osc 2, Circ, Osc 4, E&M 5, QM3, CCF2