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Overview

Course Prescription

For students progressing in physical science. Key topics are electrostatics, electromagnetism, circuits, optics, relativity and quantum mechanics. This is a calculus based course, focusing on fundamental principles, problem solving and hands-on exercises.

Course Overview

PHYSICS 120 and PHYSICS 121 together provide the essential knowledge and skill base for further studies in physics and other physical sciences at the University of Auckland. Both courses are offered in Semesters One and Two, 2023. PHYSICS 120 is a required course for students majoring in Physics, Applied Physics, and Geophysics; PHYSICS 121 is a prerequisite for core second-year physics courses.In PHYSICS 121, students are introduced to physical phenomena, the underlying principles, and selected technological applications related to electromagnetism, optics, and modern physics. Further emphasis is placed on developing awareness of knowledge construction and also proficiency in modelling, practical laboratory skills, data analysis, and scientific communication. A range of teaching and learning approaches are used, such as direct and interactive instruction, laboratories, collaborative exercises, and independent study.PHYSICS 121 assumes and builds on knowledge equivalent to NCEA Level 3 Physics and Mathematics, and students are advised to take recommended mathematics courses concurrently with this course.

Key Topics

  • Electricity (12 classes): Electric charge and electrostatic force; electric field; field lines; force on a charged particle in a field; Gauss’ Law and applications; charge on a conducting surface; electric potential energy and potential; electric dipole; capacitance; capacitors in series and parallel; energy stored in capacitors; dielectrics; conductors; drift velocity; current density; Ohm’s Law; resistors; electric power; resistors in series and parallel; Kirchhoff’s Laws; RC circuits.
  • Magnetism (7 classes): Magnetic fields; force on a charged particle moving in a magnetic field; combined E and B, cyclotron; magnetic force on a current, current loop, torque; Biot-Savart’s law; field due to a long wire, field on axis of loop; force between two current-carrying wires; Ampere’s law; solenoid; magnetic flux through a loop; induced currents; Faraday’s Law; Lenz’s law; EMF and electric field; generators, motors, eddy current; inductance; LC circuits; Maxwell’s Equations; introduction to EM waves.
  • Wave and ray optics (6 classes): Huygens’ Principle: diffraction, interference; Snell’s Law: reflection and refraction, dispersion, total internal reflection; optical instruments: mirrors, lenses; magnification, image formation, microscopes, telescopes.
  • Relativity (4 classes): Galilean transformation; Michelson-Morley experiment; Einstein postulates; simultaneity; time dilation; proper time; length contraction; Lorentz transformation; addition of velocities; relativistic momentum; force, work, kinetic energy; mass-energy and momentum.
  • Quantum physics (6 classes): Blackbody radiation; Planck’s law; photoelectric effect; quantum hypothesis; Compton effect; energy and momentum; Bohr atom, energy levels; de Broglie waves; wave packets, uncertainty; wave functions, Schrödinger’s equation; particle in a box; quantised energy levels; quantum tunnelling; atomic spectra, Balmer series; hydrogen wave function; electron spin, spin quantum number; electronic shells, periodic table.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, a typical weekly workload includes:

  • 6 hours of lectures
  • 2 hours of reviewing the course content
  • 2 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation

Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions

Restriction

Additional Advice on Prerequisites

Prerequisite: PHYSICS 120, or 24 credits in the Mechanics (91524), Electricity (91526), Differentiation (91578), Integration (91579) standards in NCEA Level 3 at merit or excellence, or equivalent with departmental approval

Restriction: PHYSICS 150

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
City

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

Students need to enrol and participate in this course (M/W/F 1 - 3 pm). The class meets three times a week in the Physics Teaching Laboratory (303-G03). Please ensure that there is no timetable clash with any of the three weekly meeting times for the stream that you enrol in.

Mini lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities will not be available as recordings.  

Attendance on campus is required for the labs, programming in physics, and tests.  

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

Textbook:

  • Knight, R. (2016). Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (4th edition). Pearson. [Global edition].
  • The required text is available in hard copy and as an electronic textbook (eText). Hard copies are available for lending at the university library and for purchase -- second-hand or new -- at UBIQ the bookshop on campus, and elsewhere. The eText can be purchased online. 
Other Readings:
  • Other course texts are listed in the Reading List (https://auckland.rl.talis.com/lists/DA0D8E09-8E94-41B6-E1D1-A3B0CD9E46B0.html) and can be freely accessed online.
Drop-in tutoring:
  • Daily drop-in tutoring is available  on weekdays from Week 2 to Week 12 (excluding public holidays, mid-semester break, and the last day of the semester). More details will be updated on Canvas. This learning support supplements regular classes and lecturers' office hours.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.


You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Additional Information on Academic integrity

The Academic Integrity Course is available online (link below), and enrolled undergraduate students should complete the online course by the end of their first semester of study. https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/academic-integrity-copyright/academic-integrity-course.html

Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Special Requirements

Two evening tests are held in Semester Two, 2025. Dates, times, and locations are to be advised in class and on Canvas. 
To achieve an overall pass in this course, students must obtain:

  • a pass in practicals (including programming in physics assignments and laboratories),
  • sufficient overall marks and sit the final exam.

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type12345678

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

We will continue to provide multiple communication channels (in-person, Piazza, email, Zoom, via the class rep) to facilitate discussions and promote productive learning.

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Additional Information on Tuākana

For more information and to find contact details for the Physics Department Tuākana coordinator, please see:

https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-and-pacific-at-the-faculty/tuakana-programme.html

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.