PHYSICS 3

(Date of document: 8 May 2015)

Course Code
Course Status
Level
Trimester Taught
Credit
Pre-requisite
Assessments

:
:
:
:
:
:
:

PHYF144
Core
Foundation
3
4
Physics 1 (PHYF115)
Quizzes
Assignments
Midterm Test
Final Examination

Lecturer

Dr. Woon Hai Song, Dr. Rosmiza Mokhtar (Coordinator), Mr Liaw Hock Sang, Mdm. Roslina
Mokhtar, Mdm. Siti Nur Sarah Ridhuwan, Ms. Nor Zaity Bt Zakaria, Ms. Rogemah Bt Ramli and Ms.
Nur Aimi Syaqilah binti Aziz, Mr Rahmat Bin Abd Wahid.

Course Description :

This course is the final course in physics for the foundation program at Universiti Tenaga Nasional. It
covers several topics, which are not included in PHYF115 and PHYF125. It includes topics on heat and
thermodynamics, waves, optics and modern physics.

Course Objectives :

1) Explain and describe applications of laws and concepts of physics related to heat and
thermodynamics, waves, optics and modern physics
2) Identify the importance of heat and thermodynamics, waves, optics and modern physics in relevant
applications

15%
10%
25%
50%

Course Outcomes vs. PO matrix:

Course Outcomes
PO1
1. To recall the zeroth law of thermodynamic, to calculate the temperature

and thermal expansion of solids and liquids.

2. To identify the characteristics of various thermodynamic processes, to
apply the first laws of thermodynamic and/or to obtain various
information on the microscopic model of an ideal during thermodynamic
processes.
3. To calculate the pressure of fluids at different depth and/or to apply the
Archimedes Principle to analyze the mechanics of fluid.
4. To analyze the simple harmonic motion in a block-spring system and/or a
simple pendulum.
5. To determine the resultant waves using the superposition principle and/or
to distinguish between traveling and standing waves.
6. To calculate the properties of light using the law of Geometric Optics, to
identify the characteristics of image formed by mirrors, refracting surfaces
and thin lenses and/or to analyze the interference of light.
7. To describe and to analyze photoelectric effect, Compton effect and
Bohrs quantum model of atom.
Assessments Methods
1. Final Exam
2. Midterm Test
3. Quizzes/ Assignments
Total student learning time
(SLT)
L = Lecture
T = Tutorial
P = Practical
O = Others

Course Outline:

CO1

CO2

CO3

CO4

Face to face (hour)

L
56

O
6

PO2

PO3

PO5

PO6

CO5

CO6

CO7

Non-face to face (hour)

98

PO4

Total guided and independent

learning per week (hour)
160

1.

Temperature (Chapter 19)

Temperature and the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
Thermometers and the Celsius Temperature Scale
The Constant-Volume Gas Thermometer and the
Absolute Temperature Scale
Thermal expansion of Solids and Liquids

2.

The First Law of Thermodynamic (Chapter 20)

Work and Heat in Thermodynamic Processes
The First Law of Thermodynamics
Some applications of the first law of thermodynamics
Energy transfer mechanism in thermal processes

The Kinetic Theory of Gases (Chapter 21)

Molecular model of an ideal gas
Molar Specific heat of an ideal gas
Adiabatic processes for an ideal gas

Fluid Mechanics (Chapter 14)

Pressure
Variation of pressure with depth
Pressure measurement
Buoyant forces and Archimedess principle
Fluid dynamics
Bernoullis equation

Oscillatory Motion (Chapter 15)

Motion of object attached to a spring
Analysis Model: Particle in simple harmonic motion
Energy of the simple Harmonic Oscillator
The Pendulum

3.

4.

5.

6.

Wave Motion (Chapter 16)

Propagation of a disturbance
Analysis model: Travelling waves
The speed of waves on strings
Rate of Energy Transfer by Sinusoidal Waves on strings

7.

Superposition and Standing Waves (Chapter 18)

Analysis model: Waves in Interference
Standing waves
Analysis model: Wave under boundary conditions

8.

The Nature of Light and the Principles of ray Optics

(Chapter 35)
The nature of light
Measurements of the speed of light
The ray approximation in ray optics
Analysis model: Wave under reflection
Analysis model: Wave under refraction
Total internal reflection

9.

Image Formation (Chapter 36)

Images formed by flat mirrors
Images formed by spherical mirrors
Images formed by refraction
Images formed by Thin Lenses

10. Interference of Light Waves (Chapter 37)

Conditions for interference
Youngs double-slit experiment
Intensity distribution of the double-slit interference
pattern
11. Modern Physics (Chapters 40 and 42)
The photoelectric effect
The Compton effect
Bohr's model of Hydrogen atom

Reference: Raymond A. Serway & John W. Jewett, Jr, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Brooks/Cole-Cengage (formally
known as Thomson Learning), 9th edition, 2014.
What are Programme Outcomes (PO)?
POs are the expected traits that UNITEN students should have upon graduation.
Program Outcomes
PO
No.

Students graduating from the Foundation Program

will have the ability to:

Blooms
Domains &
Levels

PO1

Acquire and demonstrate understanding of fundamental knowledge needed for degree program.

C2

PO2

Apply the acquired knowledge to identify and solve complex problems.

C4

PO3

Use technological tools and techniques to conduct experiments and/or assignment, and to analyse data.

P3

PO4

Communicate effectively.

P3

PO5

Function effectively as a team member as well as a leader.

A2

PO6

Demonstrate competence in finding information and self-skills for lifelong learning.

A2

C1 = Knowledge
C2 = Comprehension
C3 = Application

C4 = Analysis
C5 = Synthesis
C6 = Evaluation

(C = Cognitive Domain)
P = Psychomotor Domain
A = Affective Domain