PHY1004W  (Matter and Interactions) is the calculus based first-year course for science students who intend to proceed to higher physics courses. It is also suitable for mathematicians, astronomers, chemists, computer scientists and geologists.

Together with MAM1000W it is a prerequisite for the further physics courses PHY2014F and PHY2015S, which lead to the Physics major. Students will normally be expected to have passed FET Physical Science and Mathematics with at least 60%.  A full first-year Mathematics course such as MAM1000W (or equivalent) must have been passed or be taken concurrently.

It consists of approximately 120 lectures, and 24 afternoon tutorial or laboratory sessions.

The PHY1004W course convenors are:
First semester: Prof. Andy Buffler, Room 503, RW James building.
Second semester:  Prof. Roger Fearick, Room 506, RW James building.

Course Outline

The course will cover:

• Mechanics: momentum principle, conservation of energy, energy quantization, angular momentum
• Matter: atomic nature of matter, waves and particles
• Thermodynamics: statistical physics, entropy, kinetic theory, engines
• Electricity: Fields and charges, potential, circuits, Gauss' law
• Magnetism: Fields and currents, magnetic forces, Faraday's law
• Electromagnetic radiation

Textbook

The prescribed textbook is Matter and Interactions 3rd Edition, Ruth Chabay and Bruce Sherwood, John Wiley and Sons, 2010.

Lecture timetable and venues

All lectures will be held in Lecture Theatre C, R.W. James Building, 3rd period, 10:00 - 10:45 (Monday to Friday).

Emphasis

• Analysis of systems based on small number of fundamental principles
• Atomic nature of matter, and the link between microscopic and macroscopic phenomena
• The above items facilitate a unified treatment of topics
• Modelling of complex physical systems, including the use of numerical (computer) treatments

Computing

The numerical modelling of systems using the computer is a central part of the course. Instruction will be provided using the computer language Python together with the visual module. This VPython package is used in the textbook.

Weekly problem sets
Each Friday a sheet with a number of problems will be distributed. Solutions must be handed in by the following Friday at 10h00. Model answers will be displayed on the website and on notice boards after your work has been marked by the class tutor. Marks obtained for these weekly problem sets will contribute 5% towards the final assessment for the course. In addition students are required to attend tutorials as scheduled in the laboratory timetable. The tutorial slot will also include computer assignments.

Course tutors

The course tutor is Maciej Stankiewicz (Room  429). He will mark the weekly problem sets and be available at certain times for "hotseat" consultation.

Laboratory

Prof. Andy Buffler (Room 503) is the coordinator of the PHY1004W laboratory in the first semester. Mr. Mark Christians (Preparation Room in PHYLAB1) is the Laboratory Assistant to whom ALL administrative queries should be addressed in the first instance. Laboratory sessions for PHY1004W students take place on Tuesday afternoons from 14h00. During the first week your name should appear on a list on the notice board outside the PHYLAB1. Please consult these lists and, if your name does not appear, see Mr. Christians in PHYLAB1. Certain laboratory reports will be designated as writing exercises, and particular emphasis will be placed in these on writing skills.

Tutorials

Approximately once every three weeks students will attend an afternoon tutorial session instead of a practical. At the start of the tutorial session a selection of about four or five problems will be assigned. The class will then be formed into groups of four to work through the assigned problems at a whiteboard in Room L. Tutors will be present during the session to discuss difficulties encountered, and to assist if necessary.

Attendance and Exemptions

Attendance at practicals, tutorials, tests and examination is compulsory. Exemption from class tests will not be granted; students missing a test due to illness will sit another test as soon as they have recovered, provided that a medical certificate has been produced. Exemption from practicals, tutorials and weekly problem sets will only be considered on medical or compassionate grounds and normally require a medical certificate or a letter of support. An application for exemption must be submitted on the form available from Mr. Christians in the first-year laboratory.

Communication

Marks, notices, schedule changes, reading lists and other course material will be posted on the PHY1004W course webpage and on the notice board outside Lecture Theatre C.

Assessment

PHY1004W is assessed as shown below:

4	Class tests	20%
2	Laboratory tests	12%
24	Weekly problem sets	6%
many	Laboratory  reports	12%
1	June Examination (2 hours)	25%
1	November Examination  (2 hours)	25%

Duly performed (DP) requirement

A student will be regarded as having duly performed the work of the course, and thus qualify to write the final examination, if he/she has:

• written all class tests and achieved a class record (based on tests and problem sets) of at least 40%
• completed all laboratory reports, and obtained a laboratory record of at least 50%
• written both of the laboratory tests
• attempted at least 75% of all weekly problem sets.

DP certificates may be withheld from students who fail to meet these minimum requirements. Student who are not awarded DP certificates will not be permitted to write the November examination.