University: Cairo

Faculty: Engineering Department: Aerospace Engineering

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Course Specifications
Program(s) on which the course is given: B. Sc. in Aerospace Engineering
Department offering the program: Aerospace Engineering
Department offering the course: Math and Engineering Physics
Academic year / Level: 1st Year Aerospace Engineering (2nd Year in a five-year program)
Date of specification approval: November, 2007.
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A- Basic Information
Title: Physics (2)
Code: PHY 116
Specification is not based on Credit Hours system. However, equivalent is computed
based on: credit hour = contact hour for lecture, credit hour = 2 contact hours for tutorial
or practical
Lecture: 3
Tutorial: 1
Experimental Lab: 1
Total: 5 contact hours per week
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B- Professional Information
1 Overall Aims of Course
In this course, the student should learn the basics of waves and optics. He gets
sufficient knowledge about waves, oscillations, electromagnetic waves,
interference, diffraction, polarization, geometric optics. In addition, the student
learns an introduction to the modern physics including the electron emission,
Bohrs theory, wave particle duality, De Brogile relations, postulates of quantum
mechanics.
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Intended Learning Outcomes of Course (ILOs)

A. Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the term, the student should be able to
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

define wave intensity and Poynting vector

discuss the Doppler effect in sound and in light
state Maxwells Equations
state Fresnel equations
define coherence
explain Youngs experiment for wave front splitting interference
define a blackbody
discuss the photoelectric effect and its quantum explanation

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PHY116 Physics (2).doc

9. discuss the Plancks Hypothesis

10. discuss the Compton effect and its quantum explanation
11. explain the X-ray production and its quantum explanation
12. state De Broglie relations and Braggs law
13. discuss Heisenbergs uncertainty principle.
14. discuss the tie dilation, length contraction and relativistic mass
15. list the postulates of the Bohrs atom model
B. Professional and Practical Skills
By the end of the term, the student should be able to
1. apply principle of superposition for multiple SHM, algebraically and
graphically.
2. measure the curvature of the convex lens using Newtons Rings
3. measure the width of narrow slit using single and double slit diffraction.
4. sketch the diffraction pattern for single and double slit setup
5. determine Plancks constant experimentally.
6. verify photon nature of light beam experimentally
7. verify the inverse square law of radiation experimentally
8. verify the Stefan-Boltzmann Law experimentally
C. Intellectual Skills
By the end of the term, the student should be able to
1. calculate speed, acceleration and energy of simple harmonic motion.
2. calculate wave intensity, absorption of wave an wave function equation.
3. calculate the energy density, Poynting vector and irradiance of EMW.
4. calculate the reflection and transmission coefficients, reflectance and
transmittance for TM and TE modes
5. compare between external and internal reflections of light beam.
6. differentiate between phase difference and optical path difference
7. calculate the total power and the wavelength of the peak of the spectrum
for blackbody radiation at different temperature.
8. calculate the incident angle of the X-ray for maximum intensity of the
reflected ray.
9. compare between the diffraction for electrons and photons
D. General and Transferable Skills
By the end of the term, the student should be able to
1. Participate in team work.
2. Present and defend his point in oral exam.

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PHY116 Physics (2).doc

Contents

Week

1, 2

7-10

11-12

No. of
hours

Content
Nature of Light
Oscillations and waves: Oscillations:
Simple Harmonic Motion, Spring Mass
System, Principle of superposition
Waves: one dimensional wave function,
wave equation, harmonic traveling
wave, Huygens principle, wave
intensity, Superposition of waves,
Sound wave
Electromagnetic nature of Light
Maxwell equations, electromagnetic
waves, plane wave solution, energy
density and pointing vector, irradiance
of plan harmonic wave
Reflection and Refraction
Fersnel equation, external and internal
reflections, change of phase, reflectance
and transmittance
Interference
Effect of refraction, phase difference
and optical path difference, interference
of radio waves, coherence, interference
of light waves, wave front splitting
interference , amplitude splitting
interference, Newtons rings
Diffraction
Single slit diffraction pattern, resolving
power of a single slit, double slit
diffraction pattern
Particle properties of Electromagnetic
radiation
Blackbody radiation, photoelectric
effect, X-ray production, Compton
effect
Introduction to Relativity
Conservation laws, Energy Momentum
relations
Bohrs Atom model
Wave properties of particles
De Broglie relations, Braggs law, Xray
and
electron
diffraction,

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Lectures Tutorial

10

20

12

10

PHY116 Physics (2).doc

Heisenbergs Uncertainty principle

Relevant Experimental Lab

Lab
1
2
3
4

60

36

24

Experiment

Measurement of the curvature of the convex surface of a lens using

Newtons Rings.
- Measurement of the width of narrow slit using Single and double slit
diffraction.
- Verification of Einsteins Equation
Verification of photon nature of light beam
Determination Plancks constant and work function
- Thermal Radiation
Verification of inverse square law of radiation
Verification of the Stefan-Boltzmann Law

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Teaching and Learning Methods

1. Teaching lecture method (including numerical examples).
2. Learning solution of assignment.
3. Relevant lab experiments

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Student Assessment Methods

Final written exam

to assess knowledge & understanding of subjects

Mid-term exam

to assess knowledge & understanding of subjects

Experimental Labs

to assess practical aspects, ability to work individually

within a team

Assessment Schedule
Assessment 1: Regular Experimental Assignments every each week.
Assessment 2: Mid-term Exam
Week: 10.
Assessment 3: Oral and experimental Exam
Week: 13
Assessment 4: Final Exam
End of Term
Weighting of Assessments
Mid-Term Examination
30
Final-term Examination
80
Experimental Labs & Oral Examination.
15
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Total
125

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PHY116 Physics (2).doc

Final Exam Time: 3 Hours

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List of References
A.

Course Notes
Notes by lecturers

B.
1.

Essential Books (Text Books)

Physical Optics, Engineering Physics Dept., Cairo University, Egypt,
2007.
Experimental Physics Lab for First Year, Engineering Physics Dept.,
Cairo University, Egypt, 2007.
Solved Problems on Physical Optics for Engineering Students,
Engineering Physics Dept., Cairo University, Egypt, 2007.

2.
3.

C.

Recommended Books

D.

Web Sites
http://www.physicsdaily.com/physics/

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Facilities Required for Teaching and Learning

1. Data Show and white board
2. Traditional methods
3. Well equipped labs with sufficient number of calibrated experiments with
respect to number of students

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Course Coordinators: Dr. Fayza Gamal and Dr. Girguis Adeeb

Head of Department: Prof. Mohamd Samir Toson

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Date: November, 2007.

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