Course Catalogue

Physics 1A PHYS1026

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Physics and Astronomy
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 1 (SCQF level 7)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

To explore the basic ideas of physics in the areas of dynamics, waves, electromagnetism and circuits, as a foundation for more advanced stud of physics and for application in other sciences.

Timetable

Lectures daily 0900-1000. Laboratories as arranged.

Requirements of Entry

B Pass in Mathematics and Physics at SQA Higher (or equivalent)

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

MATHS1017 - Mathematics 1

Assessment

Degree examination (90 minutes in December diet) - 50 %; Continuous assessment (Class Workshops through semester - 25 %; Practical skills (Labs and Physics Communication Project) - 25 %

Main Assessment In: December

Course Aims

1. To ensure students understand the basic ideas of physics in areas of dynamics, waves, electromagnetism and circuits as a foundation for more advanced stud of physics and for application in other sciences.

2. To develop and then extend student's experience of experimental physics by performing and analysing data from a number of straightforward experiments.

3. To develop practice in problem solving, requiring the application of mathematics to explain physical phenomena.

4. To develop the student's ability to keep laboratory records and write reports, including use of work-processor packages, and introduce and then extend the use of computer packages for the presentation of results and the analysis of experimental results.

5. To introduce students to group working and development of presentation and research skills.

6. To introduce students to problem solving strategies within small-group sessions. 

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Apply Newton's las of motion to a particle motion in a single straight line, uniform circular motion and simple harmonic motion;

2. State and apply the conservation laws of energy and momentum;

3. Describe waves mathematically and apply this to treat optical interference;

4. Perform calculations involving electrical fields and potential;

5. Analyse DC circuits using Kirchhoff's Laws;

6. Describe the motion of particles in electric and magnetic fields, and calculate the magnetic force on a conductor;

7. Perform laboratory experiments and present results in a word-processed report;

8. Use computer packages to analyse laboratory results, and incorporate results into word-processed reports.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions