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PHY-30010 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

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

PHY-30010 - Polymer Physics
Coordinator: Arumugam Mahendrasingam Room: LJ1.04 Tel: +44 1782 7 33312
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
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

Successful completion of Level 2 Physics/Astrophysics undergraduate programme

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23

The application of physics and physical techniques to develop an understanding of structure property relationships in polymer materials. Topics covered in this module are: Structure of polymers, orientation, crystallinity and correlation between the structure and mechanical properties. In addition, details of the experimental and analytical techniques (wide and small angle x-ray scattering) used to investigate polymer crystallinity and orientation will be covered.

Aims
This module aims to develop an understanding of structure property relationships in polymer materials and the application of physical techniques to investigate the macrostructure, microstructure and mechanical properties of polymer materials.

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. The structure of polymer molecules and the application of physical characterisation techniques. [1,2]
2. Crystallinity and molecular orientation in polymer materials; application of physical techniques to determine the crystallinity and molecular orientation in polymer materials. [1,2]
3. Macrostructure in polymer materials; application of small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques to probe macrostructure in polymer materials. [1,2]
4. Microstructure in polymer materials; application of wide-angle x-ray scattering (WAXS) techniques to probe microstructure in polymer materials. [1,2]
5. Mechanical properties of polymer materials and their yield behaviour. [1,2]

Study hours

24 hours lectures, 20 hours work on problems sheets, 98 hours directed reading/private study, 6 hours tutorials, 2 hours examination

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Exercise weighted 20%
4 PROBLEM SHEETS
Four problem sheets, weighted at 20%

2: Unseen Exam weighted 80%
UNSEEN EXAM
Students should answer 3 questions out of 5.

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