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PHY-20032 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2022/23 Last Updated: 19 January 2023

PHY-20032 - Mathematical Physics
Coordinator: Maria Heckl Room: LJ0.17A Tel: +44 1782 7 33423
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None.

Description for 2022/23

In this module the student will be exposed to motion in a central potential and in axially symmetric potentials. Following the discussion of motion in these types of potential, a study of orbits and Rutherford scattering will be carried out.
The module will also discuss variational principles in physics and explore how such principles can be used to describe the behaviour of physical systems. Following on from this the module will cover, in a rigorous way, the concept known as ``the action" in physics, the calculus of variations, and obtain the Euler-Lagrange equations. This will lead to a study of Lagrangian mechanics, and possibly Hamiltonian mechanics, with a focus on examples from various parts of physics, e.g. optics, mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics.
The module will also cover some of the different special functions that arise in physics in a rigorous way, discuss how these can be represented, and relate them to different physical phenomenon. The module will then proceed to discuss how these functions arise from the solution of certain equations, i.e. ordinary and partial differential equations. These equations will be discussed with examples taken from gravity, optics, electromagnetism and quantum mechanics to show their relevance to physical phenomenon.

Aims
This module aims to expose the student to the study of motion in different types of force fields, to the study of analytical mechanics in a rigorous way, to variational principles in physics and the calculus of variations, and to some of the special functions that occur in physics, both in terms of how they arise mathematically and how they relate to physical phenomenon.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/phy-20032/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

1,2,3
1,2,3
1,2,3
1,2,3
1,2,3
1,2,3
1,2,3

Study hours

Lectures: 24 (scheduled)
Problem classes: 12 hours (scheduled)
Assessed Problem Sheets: 45 hours (estimated; not scheduled)
Self study and revision: 67 hours (estimated; not scheduled)
Final Examination: 2 hours

School Rules

None.

Description of Module Assessment

1: Open Book Examination weighted 60%
Unseen 2-hour exam
Students answer a number of compulsory, short questions (for 40% of the total exam mark) and two longer questions from a choice of four. Questions test a mix of factual knowledge and problem-solving ability and can require mathematical and numerical calculations or descriptive answers or combinations thereof.

2: Problem Sheets weighted 30%
Assessed Problem Sheets
Three sets of mathematical and/or numerical problems with each set weighted at 10% of the total module mark.

3: Tutorial weighted 10%
Tutorials
Assessment is based on tutor observation of students' problem solving skills and progress during timetabled sessions. Student learning will be supported by the presence of a tutor and demonstrators.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 19 January 2023