PH102|2023

Title: Classical Physics

COURSE OUTLINE
1. SEMESTER/YEAR OF STUDY: 1/1

2. MODE OF DELIVERY: Face-to-Face at Laucala/Online (Vanuatu and Samoa)

3. PRE-REQUISITES: Form 7 Physics or PHF02 and PHF03 or equivalent.

4. COURSE CO-ORDINATOR: Dr Abhikesh Kumar

5. TEACHING TEAM: Dr Abhikesh Kumar

• Lecturers:

Dr. Abhikesh Kumar

Instructor for PH102
Office: N261
Ph. Extn: 32145
Email: abhikesh.kumar@usp.ac.fj
Consultation Hours:
TBA

• Lab Coordinator: Mr Sarvesh Kumar

• Lab Technician: Mr Joape Cawanibuka and Mr Shanil Deo

6. LECTURE TIMES & VENUE:

3 hours Lecture (all compulsory) and 1 hour Tutorial (choose only one)
8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00
Start AM AM AM AM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM
9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00
End AM AM AM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM
Monday Lecture
092-
001
Lecture
092-
Tuesday 001

Wednesday

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 Thursday

Lecture
092-
Friday 001

For tutorial and lab time slots, refer to moodle for sign ups

7. EMERGENCY CONTACTS: Dr. M.G.M Khan (khan_mg@usp.ac.fj); Ph: 3232507

8. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This introductory course deals with mechanics, mechanical and thermal properties of matter and wave
motion, in order to prepare students for further studies in Physics and other sciences where physical
phenomena play a role. Laboratory work involves experiments, which reinforce the topics taught in
the lectures. This course is for students who wish to major in Physics and Engineering.

9. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Explain laws in Classical mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer.

2. Conduct laboratory experiments using simple instructions.
3. Write laboratory reports using given guidelines.
4. Interpret the dynamics of a range of Physical systems.
5. Solve simple real life problems in Classical Physics.

10. USP GRADUATE OUTCOMES

The USP graduate outcomes are as follows:

1. Creativity: Graduates will generate new ideas and approaches to solve problems.
2. Communication: Graduates will choose appropriate language and modes of communication to
share ideas and capture understanding
3. Critical thinking: Graduates will evaluate ideas and opinions before forming a conclusion
4. Ethics: Graduates will apply ethical reasoning to their actions and decision-making
5. Pacific consciousness: Graduates will recognize the cultural heritage, and diversity of Pacific
societies
6. Professionalism: Graduates will apply professional principles, values and ethics to their work
7. Teamwork: Graduates will collaborate with people of diverse perspectives to achieve.
Physics Programme Outcomes:
1. Explain the core theories and principles of Physics.
2. Formulate solutions to real life problems.
3. Communicate scientific information in oral, written and graphical formats.

PH102 – Course Outline Page 2 of 9

11. COURSE CONTENT

1. Measurement and Motion in One Dimension [3 lecture]

Unit Consistency and Conversions, Dimensional Analysis, Uncertainty and Significant Figures,
Estimates and Orders of Magnitude, One Dimensional Motion with constant Acceleration and
Free-falling Objects.

2. Vectors [1 lecture]
Vector and Scalar Quantities, Properties of Vectors, Components of Vectors, Unit Vectors.

3. Motion in Two Dimension [2 lectures]

Displacement, Velocity and Acceleration Vectors, Two Dimensional Motion with Constant
Acceleration. Projectile Motion, Tangential and Radial Acceleration, Motion in a Circle.

4. Laws of Motion, Circular motion and other applications of Newton’s Laws [3 lectures]
Newton’s First Law, Newton’s Second Law, Newton’s Third Law, Application of Newton’s Law,
Free-Body Diagrams, Forces of Friction, Newton’s Second Law Applied to Uniform Circular
Motion and Non-uniform Circular Motion.

5. Work, Kinetic Energy, Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy [4 lectures]

Work done by Constant Force, Work done by Varying Forces, Work and Kinetic Energy
Theorem, Conservative and Non-conservative Forces, Force and Potential Energy, Energy
Diagrams.

6. Linear Momentum and Collisions [2 lectures]

Linear Momentum and its Conservation, Impulse and Momentum, Inelastic Collisions, Elastic
Collisions, 2D Collisions.

7. Rotation of Rigid Objects About a Fixed Axis and Dynamics of Rotational Motion [5 lectures]
Angular Displacement, Velocity and Acceleration, Rotational Kinematics, Rotational Energy,
Parallel-Axis Theorem, Calculation of Moment of Inertia, Rigid-Body Rotation about a Moving
Axis, Work and Power in Rotational Motion, Angular Momentum, Conservation of Angular
Momentum.

8. Static Equilibrium and Elasticity [2 lectures]

Conditions for Equilibrium, Elastic Properties of Solids, Stress, Strain and Elastic Modulus, Bulk
Stress and Strain, Shear Stress and Strain.

9. Fluid Mechanics [3 lectures]

Variation of Pressure with Depth, Pressure Measurements, Buoyant Forces and Archimedes’s
Principle, Fluid Dynamics, Streamlines and Equation of Continuity, Bernoulli’s and its
Applications.

OSCILLATIONS AND MECHANICAL WAVES

10. Oscillatory Motion [4 lectures]

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 Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM), Energy of the Simple Harmonic Oscillator, Applications of
SHM, The Simple Pendulum, The Physical Pendulum, Comparing SHM with Uniform Circular
Motion, Damped Oscillations, Forced Oscillations.

11. Wave Motion and Sound Waves [4 lectures]

Direction of Particle Displacement, 1-D Travelling Waves, Superposition and Interference,
Sinusoidal Waves on Strings, Rates of Energy Transfer and Linear Wave Equation, Periodic
Sound Waves, Intensity of Periodic Sound Waves.

THERMODYNAMICS

12. Heat and The First Law of Thermodynamics [3 lectures]

Heat and Internal Energy, Heat Capacity and Specific Heat, Latent Heat, Work and Heat in
Thermodynamic Processes, The First Law of Thermodynamics, Applications of the First Law,
Energy Transfer Mechanisms.

13. The Kinetic Theory of Gases [3 lectures]

Molecular Model of an Ideas Gas, Molar Specific Heat, Adiabatic Processes, Equipartition of
Energy, The Boltzmann Distribution Law, Distribution of Molecular Speeds, Mean free Path.

14. Heat Engines, Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics [3 lectures]
Heat Engines and the Second Law of Thermodynamics, Reversible and Irreversible Processes,
The Carnot Engine, Gasoline and Diesel Engines, Heat Pumps and Refrigerators, Entropy,
Entropy Changes in Irreversible Processes.

12. PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK AND OTHER RESOURCES

Prescribed Text:
Serway, R.A. and Jewett, J.W. Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics (2019) 10th Ed.
Cengage Publishing.

Reference and Supplementary Texts:

H.D. Young and Roger A. Freedman, University Physics 9th Ed. Edi., Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA.
1996

D. Halliday and R. Resnick and Jearl Walker, Fundamentals of Physics (1993) 4th Edition, John Wiley,
New York.

Note: Textbook Rental Scheme - The textbooks can also be rented through the Textbook Rental
Scheme (TRS) of the USP Book Centre. Details of the TRS can be obtained from
http://www.uspbookcentre.com/

13. ALIGNMENT OF LEARNING OUTCOMES, ACTIVITIES AND ASSESSMENT

The following table demonstrates the alignment of the course learning outcomes to appropriate
activities and assessments and the links to programme and USP graduate outcomes.

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 Associated Assessment Programme USP Graduate
Course Learning Teaching Outcomes Outcomes
Outcome and Learning
Activities
On successful
completion of this
course, students should
be able to:

1. Explain laws in Lectures, Online Quiz (O), Physics Critical thinking (B),
Classical mechanics, Tutorials, Tutorial Quizzes (F), Knowledge Professionalism (B)
thermodynamics and Practice Short Tests, (B)
Problems, Final Exam
heat transfer.
Labs
2. Conduct laboratory Labs Lab Reports, Physics Communication
experiments using Final Exam Knowledge (B),
simple instructions. (B) Professionalism (B)

3. Write laboratory Lab report Lab Reports, Physics Communication

reports using given writing Final Exam Knowledge (B),
guidelines. (B) Professionalism (B),
Ethics (B)
4. Interpret the Lectures, Online Quiz (O), Physics Critical Thinking
dynamics of a range of Tutorials, Tutorial Quizzes (F), Knowledge (B),
Physical systems. Practice Short Tests, (B) Communication (B)
Problems, Lab Reports,
Labs Final Exam

5. Solve simple real Tutorials, Online Quiz (O), Physics Critical thinking (B),
life problems in Practice Tutorial Quizzes (F), Knowledge Creativity (B),
Classical Physics. Problems, Short Tests, (B),
Labs Lab Reports, Formulate
Final Exam Solutions (B).

14. ASSESSMENT

14.1 ASSESSMENT PORTFOLIO

TYPE OF WEIGHT COMMENTS Learning outcome

ASSESSMENT

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT – 50%

Short Test 1 10% To cover the first five weeks. It is 1, 4, 5

based on problem solving and recall
of core concepts.
To cover the contents from weeks 1, 4, 5
5-10. It is based on problem solving
Short Test 2 10% and recall of core concepts.

Experiments will be conducted from

Lab Report Write ups week 2 up to 13. These will be
20% 2, 3
carried out in partners.

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 Online Quiz (For Face- 2 Online quizzes will be held, 5% 1, 4, 5
to-face and Online each. This will be done using
mode) 10%
moodle.
FINAL EXAMINATION

Exam 50% Assessment covering almost all 1, 4, 5

topics.

14.2 PASSING THE UNIT

In order to be awarded a pass in this unit, students must:
• Achieve an overall mark of at least 50% in the course.
• At least 60% tutorial attendance.
• At least 75% lab attendance.
• Achieve at least 40% (20/50) in final examination.
• If you DO NOT comply with these criteria you are automatically deemed to have failed the course
although you will be allowed to attempt all assessments.

14.3 GRADE DISTRIBUTION

A+ A B+ B C+ C D E
85-100 78-84 71-77 64-70 57-63 50-56 40-49 0-39

14.4 ASSESSMENT POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

For detailed regulations, please refer to the USP Handbook and Calendar.
Plagiarism, copying materials from other sources without proper referencing and acknowledge of the
source is a serious offence and will be dealt with severely. In the Regulations Governing Academic
Misconduct section of the USP Handbook & Calendar plagiarism is defined as “the copying of another
person’s creative work and using it as one’s own – without explicitly giving credit to the original creator.
Work copied without acknowledgement from a book, from another student’s work, from the internet or
from any other source”. If lecturer is satisfied that plagiarism has occurred, they will report the matter to
the Head of School. They can reduce marks appropriately. If the matter is seen as serious enough it can
be taken to the Student Disciplinary Committee by the Head of School.

15. IMPORTANT DATES

Activity Week %
Short Test 1 6 (Date to be announced) 10
Short Test 2 12 (Date to be announced) 10
Lab reports TBA – selected weeks 20
Online Quiz Week 4 and 10 (Date TBA) 10
Final Exam End of Semester 50

16. ADDITIONAL COURSE ATTENDANCE

16.1 TUTORIALS
Attendance in tutorials is mandatory. Students can choose their tutorial sessions by signing up on the course
shell on Moodle. All tutorials start from the second week. At least 60% tutorial attendance is required to pass
the course.

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 16.2 LABORATORY SESSIONS
At least 75% lab attendance is mandatory for passing the course.

Experiments are normally carried out in groups of two students. The experimental apparatus will
be provided during the lab sessions. The instruction handouts/manual will be available both in the
bookshop (print copy) and on moodle (e-copy). As for any Lab in USP, our Engineering Labs &
Workshops have various OHS requirements such as proper closed footwear, neat unobtrusive
clothing, and vigilance is an utmost due to some HIGH VOLTAGE LIVE WIRES being present in the
labs. You will be required to sign a Lab Safety Rules during the first lab when you will be briefed by
the Occupational, Health & Safety (OHS) officers in the School. Should you fail to adhere to the rules
stipulated in the OHS guidelines, you will be asked to leave the lab immediately or may be
permanently banned from the lab by the Technician in charge.

17. STUDENT SUPPORT

17.1 ONLINE HELP & e-Learning INFORMATION

All course materials that will be made available on Moodle, students are encouraged to print out notes
well before time and read through it at least once so that it makes sense once lectures are delivered.

All information and material will be provided on Moodle share for PH102 in the website:
http://elearn.usp.ac.fj. You may login using your SOLS username and password. Students may either
call in personally or seek help via email. Any student seeking help relating to the course via email
should include the following:
From: <a valid student ID to be used> (Reason: When we send it to outside mail, spammers can get
hold of our address to send us junk mail and it is time consuming to scan through all emails)
Subject: <PH102 – xxxxxxx> (This is to ensure that mail filters in my mail client is able to filter it to the
PH102 course folder & I can give priority to your mail.
Message Body: write concisely what you need to be clarified. Also include your name at the end. It is
an uncourteous gesture not to include the sender’s name.

17.2 CFL SLS SERVICES

CFL Student Learning Specialists provide you with professional assistance for successful study and help you
develop as an independent active learner. Student Learning Support services are provided at the Hub. The
student support staff will:

• help you to adapt to the new environment and expectations of students at the USP.
• have one-to-one consultations with you to discuss any challenges that you may be facing in your
studies.
• connect you to mentors (study buddies) who will guide you and facilitate group discussions with
other students in your courses.
• conduct special workshops to upskill and equip you for your assessments and examinations.( e.g.
Literature Review, Report Writing, Presentation Skills, etc.) NB Check your student webmail for
advertisements.
• help you unpack and understand your assignments and tutorial questions.
• assist you with English language and mathematics basic skills.
• provide specific assistance for students with disability.
• assist students who are not performing up to par.

SLS staff contacts:

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 Name Phone Contact Email Office Location
Ms. Jane Kanas (679) 323 1910 jane.kanas@usp.ac.fj SLS Hub, Laucala Campus
Ms. Aluwesi (679) 323 1729 aluwesi.fonolahi@usp.ac.fj SLS Hub, Laucala Campus
Fonolahi
Ms. Afshana Anzeg (679) 323 2264 afshana.anzeg@usp.ac.fj SLS Hub, Laucala Campus

18. EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS

18.1 STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Students are expected to:

• Spend enough time on Moodle and other activities required in the course
• Attend all lectures, workshops, team meetings etc. unless hampered by illness in which case
you must inform your course coordinator and team members.
• Arrange with the team members to work in their own times on the project.
• Maintain proper attire for the laboratory, clothing, shoes etc.
• Facilitate the course coordinator with any proof that he/she was sick and unable to attend
classes or assessment at the earliest possible time to avoid getting a zero mark for the missed
assessment.

18.2 STUDENT WORKLOADS

Student Workload (Learning Hours Per Semester)
Lectures 3 × 14 = 42
Tutorial 1 × 14 = 14
Tests 2×1=2
Test preparation 2 × 6 = 12
Tutorial preparation 2 × 14 = 28
Labs 3 × 13 = 39
Lab report writing 16
Exam preparation 20
Exam 1×3=3
Discussions: Moodle, Tutorial, etc 14
Library/internet research 6
Related reading 14
Seminars
Presentations
Field Trips
Project Work
Online activities
Total 210

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 19. WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Week Prescribed Instructor

No. Chapters/Topic Textbook

1. Physics and Measurement

1
2. Motion in One Dimension
3. Vectors
2 4. Motion in Two Dimension
5. Laws of Motion
6. Circular motion and other
3 applications of Newton’s Laws 1) Physics for Scientists and
4 7. Energy of a System Engineers with Modern Physics AK
8. Conservation of Energy
5 9. Linear Momentum and Collisions
10. Rotation of a Rigid Object
6 About a Fixed Axis
Short Test 1 (10.0%) (Weeks 1-5)
11. Angular Momentum
7 12. Static Equilibrium and Elasticity
MID-SEMESTER BREAK
8 14. Fluid Mechanics
9 15. Oscillatory Motion
16. Wave Motion
10 17. Sound Waves
18. Superposition and Standing
11 waves 1) Physics for Scientists and
20. The First Law of Engineers with Modern Physics AK
Thermodynamics
12
Short Test 2 (10.0%) (Weeks 5-10)
13 21. The Kinetic Theory of Gases
22. Heat Engines, Entropy and the
14 Second Law of Thermodynamics
STUDY WEEK
EXAM WEEK 1
EXAM WEEK 2

20. AT-RISK STUDENTS

Extra Help (Remedial) Sessions are compulsory for students who have demonstrated prior weak performance.
Extra Help Sessions must be taken in addition to regular tutorials, and a minimum attendance of 60% in these
sessions is required to pass the course. Students who qualify for Extra Help Sessions will be notified by the
Course Coordinator prior to the 3rd week of the semester. The purpose of these sessions is to provide students
who have struggled in the past (“C“grade or less in prerequisite courses) by providing additional contact with
teaching staff to help them succeed in the course. The type of extra help offered in these sessions is determined
by the Course Coordinator. Qualifying students will be identified by the Faculty. Based on student marks at mid-
semester, the Course Coordinator may require struggling students to attend Extra Help Sessions during the
second half of the semester. These sessions can include extra tutorials, workshops, peer mentoring, etc.

PH102 – Course Outline Page 9 of 9