Unit details

PHYS2003 Physics for Electrical Engineers

Credit

6 points

Offering

Availability	Location	Mode	First year of offer
Not available in 2022

Content

This unit introduces the underlying physical principles of magnetism and quantum mechanics, providing the necessary tools for understanding and solving problems related to electrical engineering and modern electrical devices. The content of the unit includes:

(1) Magnetism (magnetic fields and forces, Ampere's law, electromagnetic induction, ferromagnetism, complex permittivity);
(2) Introduction to quantum mechanics (the Schrödinger wave equation and its solutions for various potentials); and
(3) Electronic properties of materials (density of states, Fermi-Dirac statistics, semiconductors, currents and non-equilibrium conditions).

The content is explored with reference to a range of applications and physical contexts, including a series of laboratory tasks.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) analyse the concepts and physical principles related to magnetism, the foundations of quantum mechanics and electronic properties of materials; (2) communicate ideas, both orally and written, relating to related to magnetism, the foundations of quantum mechanics and electronic devices; (3) solve problems in a range of realistic situations relating to magnetism, the foundations of quantum mechanics and electronic properties of materials; (4) execute experiments relevant to magnetism and electronic devices; and; and (5) evaluate the results of an experiment to magnetism and electronic devices..

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) in-semester tests and/or quizzes; (2) laboratory; and (3) final examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the laboratory component.

For units commencing in May 2022 or later the availability of the supplementary assessment is subject to confirmation.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Except where supplementary assessment is not available in a unit, it will be offered to students in all units who:

• Are in good academic standing overall;
• Have passed over half the units taken in the teaching period concerned, except where they are only enrolled in two or less units in the period;
• Have submitted all assessment items in the unit;
• Have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit; and
• No finding of academic misconduct has been made against them in the unit concerned.

Additionally student may apply for supplementary assessment in any unit which is the final unit required for graduation in there course and where they have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Vincent Wallace

Unit rules

Prerequisites:

MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus and MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods and PHYS1001 Physics for Scientists and Engineers and Enrolment in ( BH011 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and CB006 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/ Bachelor of Commerce and CB004 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/ Bachelor of Science and CB014 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/ Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

Co-requisites:

Nil

Incompatibility:

PHYS1002 Modern Physics and PHYS2001 Quantum Physics and Electromagnetism and PHYS2004 Quantum and Relativity

Contact hours

Lectures: 3-hours per week; Laboratory: 6 x 3 hours; Practical Classes: 1-hour per week

Texts

This unit will be based on a number of recommended texts including:

Physics, Douglas C. Giancoli

Fundamentals of Physics, David Halliday, Jearl Walker, and Robert Resnick

Essential Quantum Mechanics for Electrical Engineers, Peter Deak