Physics Courses

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Physics I (3 credit points)

It contains the elementary mechanics for the freshmen of engineering school. The students are expected to learn about :

• scalars and vectors
• kinematics of particles : the concept of velocity and acceleration; linear motion; motion on a plane (with circular and parabolic orbits); the concept of classical relative motion.
• dynamics of particles : Newton's laws (I, II, and III); sorts of interacting forces; virtual forces.
• dynamics of particles : momentum; conservation of linear momentum; work and energy; conservation of energy; power; specific case - collison.
• rigid bodies : centre of mass; moment of inertia; conservation of angular momentum; special case - rolling.
• statics : couple; statical equilibrium
• elasticity : stress and strain; Poisson's ratio; elastic potential energy; thermic stress; torsion.
• oscillatory motions : harmonic oscillation; damped oscillation; forced oscillation; superposition of oscillatory motions; phasor diagram.

Physics II (3 credit points)

It contains the theory of electromagnetism for the freshmen of engineering school. The students are expected to learn about :

• electrostatic field : electric charges; Coulomb's law; electric field; Gauss' law; conductors and dielectrics; capacitance.
• electric current : Ohm's law; direct-current (DC) circuit; electric power and energy.
• magnetic field : magnetic substances; Lorentz force; Biot's law; Ampere's law.
• time-dependent magnetic field : Faraday's law; inductance.
• alternating current circuit : RLC circuit; AC electric power.

Wave Physics (2 credit points)

It contains the wave theory and physical optics for second year students in electrical engineering department. Pre-requisite : Physics II. The students are expected to learn about :

• wave phenomenon : longitudinal and transversal waves; wave equation.
• wave propagation : phase and group velocity; sound wave; Melde's experiment; wave on water surface; propagation between two media (reflection and transmission); intensity (the propagation of energy).
• Doppler effect
• electromagnetic wave : refraction indices; the propagation of light.
• interference : standing waves; resonance; Young's experiment; thin film; Newton's rings.
• diffraction : single slit; multiple slits.
• polarized wave : dichroism; Brewster's law; optic-active solution.

Note : this course is currently abandoned because of national reduction in academic requirements of credit points (for bachelor) from 160 to 154. Personally I regret the decision, as optics is having greater and greater influence in electrical engineering nowadays (by the fast-growing opto-electronics).

Thermophysics (2 credit points)

It contains physics of heat for the second year students of chemical engineering department. The students are expected to learn about :

• thermometry : temperature; thermometric expansion and contraction.
• calorimetry : heat capacitance; Black's law; change of phase.
• heat transfer : conduction; convection; radiation
• gas : ideal gas; real gas
• the first law of thermodynamics : internal energy, external work; reversible processes; adiabatic process
• the second law of thermodynamics : heat engines; Carnot cycle; entropy

Note : this course is currently abandoned because of national reduction in academic requirements of credit points (for bachelor) from 160 to 154. It was merged into other departmental courses : physical chemistry, and transport phenomena.

Modern Physics (3 credit points)

It contains physics developed since early 20th century for the third year students of electrical engineering department. Pre-requisite : Wave Physics. The students are expected to learn about :

• The Special Relativity : Lorentz transformation; time dilation; Lorentz contraction; twin paradox; application in describing electromagnetic phenomena
• Quantum Theory : the wavefunctions; Schrodinger equation; Heisenberg's uncertainty principle; de Broglie's wavelength; photons
• hydrogen atom : Bohr's model; quantum numbers; Zeeman's effect
• interaction between electron and photon : photoelectric effect; Compton effect; pair production; pair annihilation
• atoms with many electrons
• molecular structure
• lasers : stimulated emission; population inversion; lasing media; resonance cavity
• radioactivity : alpha, beta, gamma radiation; radioactivity detecting methods and devices

Note : this course is currently abandoned because its level of difficulty was considered too high for Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Personally, I regret the decision as the students will lose an opportunity to get basic concepts in exploring the magnificent microelectronic worlds.

Physics of Semiconductor (2 credit points)

It contains fundamental concepts of semiconductors and their applications in microelectronics for the fourth year of electrical engineering students. Pre-requisite : Physics II and some departmental courses. The students are expected to learn about :

• the basic concepts : bands theory; holes; impurity
• transport of charge carriers : mobility of carriers
• optical properties : photo-voltaic; photoconductivity
• devices : p-n junction; diodes
• transistors : bipolar junction transistor; JFET; MOSFET
• laser diodes

Note : this course is currently renamed as Semiconductor Substances, with the same credit points as it was.

Physics Practicum (Laboratory Work) (1 credit point)

It contains elementary physics experiments with an emphasis on the training in data measurement and analysis for the freshmen. The experiments or topics learnt are :

• theory of errors : systematic errors; statistical errors
• further statistical treatments on experimental data : making graphs; linear regression
• mechanics : conservation of energy; simple and physical pendulum
• heat : conduction; calorimetry
• fluid : viscosity
• optics : convex and concave lens
• electromagnetics : earth magnetic field; electroplating
• wave : Melde's experiment; sound resonance

For practicum modules in PDF files, click here, and for pictures of the apparatuses click here.