What is Physics?

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What is Physics?
Derek Raine (and many others)
www.le.ac.uk/leap
www.ou.ac.uk/picetl
www.le.ac.uk/i-science
www.integratedsciences.org
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Heres one definition
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Standard model Lagrangian
and the rest
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gravity
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Heres another definition
the science of matter and energy and their
interactions wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
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And from good old Wikipedia
Physics (or "Physica", or "Physicae
Auscultationes" meaning "lessons") is a key text
in the philosophy of Aristotle
Physics (from the Greek, f?s???? (phusikos),
"natural", and f?s?? (phusis), "nature") is the
science of Nature in the broadest sense.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics
Physics is an instrumental band from San Diego,
California, USA that has featured a rotating cast
of musicians, but is currently composed of Jeff
Coad and Will Goff on synths, Rob Crow, Jason
Soares, and John Goff on guitars, and Cameron
Jones on drums. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics_(ba
nd)
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Why do we need to ask the question?
The European Union (EU) has set a goal of
becoming "the most competitive and dynamic
knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010."

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Growth of university science education
National Science Board. 2004. Science and
Engineering Indicators 2004. Two volumes.
Arlington, VA National Science Foundation
(volume 1, NSB 04-1 volume 2, NSB 04-1A).

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Growth in higher education in the UK
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The retreat from science
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• Attitudes to physics and chemistry

• After instruction, students, on average, are
  found to be less expert-like in their thinking
  than before. They see physics as less connected
  to the real world, less interesting, and more as
  something to be memorized without understanding.
  This is true in almost all courses, including
  those with teaching practices that have
  substantially improved conceptual mastery.
• CLASS Categories
• Reality Personal View Physics is part of the
  students life student cares about physics.
• Reality World View Physics describes phenomena in
  the World around us.
• Math Mathematical formulae describe physical
  phenomena.
• Sense Making It is important to me to make sense
  out of things when learning physics.
• Metacognition Awareness of what is necessary to
  learn and understand physics self reflection.
• How to Learn Best learned by memorization of
  facts and methods without understanding.
• Coherence Physics consists of connected ideas.
• Calc-I LSRU/Fa03 engineers 63 65
• Calc-I MMSU/Fa03 physics maj 64 54
• The Design and Validation of the Colorado
  Learning Attitudes about Science Survey
• W. K. Adams, K. K. Perkins, M. Dubson, N. D.
  Finkelstein and C. E. Wieman
• CLASS (Colorado Learning Attitudes about
  Science Survey).htm

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The UK External Environment
since 1994, the number of UK universities
offering degrees in physics has declined from 79
to 51
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Physics BSc graduates working in the UK
Physics related employment
Information Technology
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What is Physics View from the IOP
Mechanics and Relativity Classical mechanics
Newtons laws, conservation laws, rotation,
Newtonian gravitation, Keplers laws, Special
relativity to the level of Lorentz
transformations and energy momentum
relationship Quantum Physics Background to QM to
include Black body radiation, Photoelectric
effect, Wave-particle duality, Heisenbergs
Uncertainty Principle Schrödinger wave equation
to include Wave function and its interpretation,
Standard solutions and quantum numbers, to the
level of the hydrogen atom, Tunnelling, First
order time independent perturbation
theory Atomic, nuclear and particle physics to
include Quantum structure and spectra of simple
atoms, Nuclear masses and binding energies,
Radioactive decay, fission and fusion, Pauli
exclusion principle, fermions and bosons and
elementary particles, Fundamental forces and the
Standard Model Condensed Matter
Physics Mechanical properties of matter to
include elasticity and thermal expansion,
Inter-atomic forces and bonding, Phonons and heat
capacity, Crystal structure and Bragg scattering,
Electron theory of solids to the level of simple
band structure, Semiconductors and doping,
Magnetic properties of matter Oscillations and
Waves Free, damped, forced and coupled
oscillations to include resonance and normal
modes, Waves in linear media to the level of
group velocity, Waves on strings, sound waves and
EM waves, Doppler effect Electromagnetism Electros
tatics and magnetostatics, DC and AC circuit
analysis to complex impedance, transients and
resonance, Gauss, Faraday, Ampère, Lenz and
Lorentz laws to the level of their vector
expression, Maxwells equations and plane EM wave
solution Poynting vector, EM spectrum Polarisatio
n of waves and behaviour at plane interfaces
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Optics Geometrical optics to the level of simple
optical systems, Interference and diffraction at
single and multiple apertures, Dispersion by
prisms and diffraction gratings, Optical Cavities
and laser action Thermodynamics and Statistical
Physics Zeroth, first and second laws of
thermodynamics Temperature scales, work,
internal energy and heat capacity, Entropy, free
energies and the Carnot Cycle, Changes of
state Statistical mechanics Kinetic theory of
gases and the gas laws to Van der Waals equation,
Statistical basis of entropy Maxwell-Boltzmann
distribution, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac
distributions, Density of states and partition
function
OK so Im cheating a bit
the standard model is 1970s !
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A. PHYSICS SKILLS Students should learn 1 How to
tackle problems in physics and formulate an
appropriate solution. For example, they should
learn how to identify the appropriate physical
principles how to use special and limiting
cases, dimensional analysis and order-of-magnitude
estimates to guide their thinking about a
problem and how to present the solution making
their assumptions explicit. 2 How to use
mathematics to describe the physical world. They
should know how to turn a physics problem into a
mathematical form and have an understanding of
mathematical modelling and of the role of
approximation. 3 How to plan, execute and report
the results of an experiment or investigation.
All graduates of an accredited degree programme
should have some appreciation of physics as an
experimental science. They should have an
understanding of the elements of experiment and
observation and should therefore be able to
plan an experimental investigation use
apparatus to acquire experimental data analyse
data using appropriate techniques determine
and interpret the measurement uncertainties (both
systematic and random) in a measurement or
observation report the results of an
investigation understand how regulatory issues
such as health and safety influence scientific
experimentation and observation. For many degree
programmes, experimental work in a conventional
laboratory course will be a vital and challenging
part and will provide students with the skills
necessary to plan an investigation and collect
and analyse data. However, these required skills
may also be acquired through computer simulation,
paper exercises with appropriate data, or case
studies using real experimental data from a
published source. Other methods may be
used provided they meet the above objectives. 4
How to compare results critically with
predictions from theory. Students should
understand the concept of using data to test a
hypothesis and be able to assess the reliability
of data, to understand the significance of
results, and to relate results from numerical
modelling or experiment to the relevant theory.
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B. TRANSFERABLE SKILLS A Physics degree should
enhance Problem-solving skills Physics degree
programmes involve students in solving physics
problems with well-defined solutions. They should
also gain experience in tackling open-ended
problems. Students should develop their ability
to formulate problems in precise terms and to
identify key issues. They should develop the
confidence to try different approaches in order
to make progress on challenging
problems. Investigative Skills Students should
have opportunities to develop their skills of
independent investigation. They should develop
the ability to find information by using
textbooks and other available literature, by
searching databases and the Internet, and through
discussions with colleagues. Communications
skills A physics degree should develop students
ability to communicate complex information
effectively and concisely by means of written
documents, presentations or discussion. Students
should be able to use technical language
appropriately. Analytical skills Students should
develop their ability to grasp complex concepts,
to understand and interpret data precisely and to
construct logical arguments. They should be able
to distil a problem to its basic elements. IT
skills Students should become familiar with
appropriate software such as programming
languages and packages. They should develop their
computing and IT skills in a variety of areas
including the preparation of documents,
information searches, numerical calculations, and
the manipulation and presentation of
data. Personal skills Students should develop
their ability to work independently, to use their
initiative and to organise themselves to meet
deadlines. They should gain experience of group
work and be able to interact constructively with
other people.
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Units Averages Rates of change Orders of
magnitude Estimates Proportionality Intensive and
extensive variables Graphical analysis Derivation
of hypothesis from experiment Discrediting of a
hypothesis by experiment Classic experiments
overturning prior beliefs Use of a physical law
for prediction Phenomenological laws Physical
Reductionism
Use of Analogies Mathematical models Change of
frames of reference Symmetry Conservation laws,
(energy, momentum) Open and closed
systems Equilibrium, dynamic equilibrium Irreversi
bility Description of bulk properties in terms of
constituents Fluctuations Transport Wave
concepts Resonance Frequency space Phase
space Concept of a field Quantum properties
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Science education and economic development

• The Relevance of Science Education study,
  which looked at 15-year-olds in 40 countries,
  found a 0.92 negative correlation between
  attitudes to school science and the UN index of
  human development.

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Problem-based learning
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Motion in 1D Problem The lead shot used in shotgun cartridges consists of small spherical pellets 2-3mm in diameter made by pouring molten lead through a frame suspended in a high tower, a method used since its invention by William Watts in 1782. In order to produce spherical shot the lead must solidify before the pellet has reached terminal velocity. How high should the tower be?
Motion in the plane Problem A design for a spaceship that would also function as an orbital space station might look like the dumbell form of Spaceship USS Discovery 1 from the film 2001 A Space Odyssey. The picture shows an artists impression with the spaceship moving round the Earth oriented like a plane flying through the air. Is there anything wrong with this?
Dimensional analysis Kinematics Dynamics Conservat
ion laws
Circular Orbits Equilibrium and
Stability Dynamics of rotational motion Simple
Harmonic Motion
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Oscillators Projectiles Properties of waves Water
waves
Resistance Capacitors AC circuits
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Problem Whats wrong with the artists
impression?
Motion in 1D Dimensional analysis, Kinematics Dynamics, Conservation laws Problem Making lead shot
Motion in the plane Circular Orbits Equilibrium and Stability Dynamics of rotational motion Simple Harmonic Motion Problem Whats wrong with the artists impression?
Oscillations and Waves Oscillators, Projectiles, Properties of waves, Water waves Problem The Tour Sans Fins ("Tower Without Ends") Problem Warning from an ocean-based tsunami detection buoy?
Current electricity Resistance, Capacitors, AC circuits Problem Heart defibrillators Problem Oil level warning
Electric Magnetic Fields Electric fields, Fields and potentials, Capacitance, Currents and magnetic fields Problem How can linesmen work safely on live wires?
Magnetic Fields Dipole fields Magnetic Induction Magnetic forces Problem What is happening in the pictures?
Magnetic materials Magnetic forces in Equilibrium Paramagnetism, Ferromagnetism, Electromagnets, Diamagnetism Problem Can a frog levitiate?
Electromagnetic waves Electromagnetic waves, Fields at Boundaries, Reflection and refraction, Water pipes in the desert Problem Detecting leaking water pipes in the desert.
Geometrical optics Reflection, Refraction , Lenses Problem How do glasses work?
Physical Optics Wave properties and superposition, Interference, Diffraction Problem Explain a diffraction pattern
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Atomic structure Problem Detecting Atmospheric contaminants
Nuclei and radioactivity Problem Oklo mine natural reactor.
Quantum phenomena Problem Teleportation
Heat Problem Towing icebergs
Thermodynamics Problem The gas pressure driven car
Solids and fluids Problem Biophysics of Giraffes, Sharks, Fleas, Antelopes, Flies and Trees
Condensed matter Problem Nanobiomarkers
Transport properties Problem UltraKleene
Relativity Problem GPS
Astrophysics Problem How did the Universe grow?
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Another curriculum!!
PBL Problem Physics Topics
The White Knuckle Toy Newtonian dynamics, oscillations, damping
Crosswind Warning Electrostatics, induction, steady currents, fluids
The Art of Glass Geometric and wave optics
UltraKleene Kinetic theory, Diffusion
Chocolate Factory Alarm Circuits, AC theory
Space Tether Newtonian gravity, elasticity
Solid State Traffic Lights Semi-conductors, LEDs
Desert Pipeline Leak Electromagnetic theory
Transporter Quantum theory
Air Quality Spectroscopy
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Interdisciplinary Challenges

• Global warming

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Interdisciplinary Challenges

• Biodiversity

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Interdisciplinary Challenges

Sustainability
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Interdisciplinarity
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Interdisciplinarity
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Interdisciplinarity
Random Walk (Brownian Motion)
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Interdisciplinarity