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) ›
Download "Strategies for solving problems" ›
October 2022
- Dimensional analysis, units and significant figures
starting October 10
last updated October 11
Download - Order of magnitude estimations and relative motion
starting October 17
last updated October 30
Download - 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
December 2022
- Snells' law and polarisation
starting December 5
[No notes — these tutorials will be covered by someone else.]
January 2023
February 2023
- Gauss' law and Gaussian surfaces
starting February 6
- Dielectrics and magnetic fields
starting February 13
- Photoelectric effect, de Broglie wavelengths and blackbodies
starting February 20
- Lorentz transformations and Compton scattering
starting February 27
March 2023
- Ampère's law
starting March 6
- Buoyancy and pressure in fluids
starting March 13
April 2023
- Quantum mechanics revision
starting April 24