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Course Outline

outline

Uploaded by

Jacquese
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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UNIVERSITY OF EMBU

SCHOOL: SCHOOL OF PURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES


DEPARTMENT: PHYSICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT

UNIT CODE & NAME: SPH 203 – STRUCTURE AND

PROPERTIES OF MATTER

BY MR. NIXON M.K

Copyright © UNIVERSITY OF EMBU, 2024

1
INTRODUCTION COURSE PURPOSE
Credit Hours: 3
Pre-requisites: None.
COURSE PURPOSE
The course's purpose is to introduce students to the fundamental properties of materials in order to
understand why materials have the properties they do and what can be done to control and improve
these properties.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of this course, students should be able to,
1. Identify the characteristics of atoms that determine the physical and mechanical properties of
materials.
2. Describe the microstructure that governs many of the properties of a material.
3. Solve a range of numerical problems involving the learnt concepts.
4. Perform experiments based on properties of matter, analyze experimental data and write
laboratory report.
COURSE CONTENT:
The Atom and molecule (models). Atomic and molecular bonding. Phases of matter: Concepts of
pressure, volume and temperature. Phase transitions; Metals and non-metals, Alloys and
composites. Elasticity Strain, stress and work. Deformation, Fracture and oxidation. Introduction
to X-ray crystallography and spectroscopy. Surface tension. Equation of state and internal energy.
Kinetic theory of ideal gases. Vapour pressure. Many-particle systems. Equilibrium. Macroscopic
description of systems. Extensive and intensive variables. Temperature and the Zeroth law of
thermodynamics. Reversible, irreversible, quasistatic and adiabatic processes. Thermal Radiation
and the origin of Quantum Theory. Bohr’s atomic model. Franz-Hertz experiment, particle wave
duality. Davison-Germer experiment. Wave mechanics and Schroedinger’s equation. Ehrenfest
Theorem. Basic postulates. Eigen functions and Eigen value. Correspondence principle.
Degeneracy.
Mode of Delivery
The course will be delivered through Lectures, Tutorials, Practical demonstrations and Hands on
Laboratory sessions.

2
Mode of assessment
Continuous Assessment (CATs, Assignment, Practical - 30 %
30%)
End of Semester examination 70 %
Total 100 %

Instructional Material and/or Equipment


White board marker and White board , Laboratory manuals, Laboratory Equipment and Apparatus.
Core References
J.B. Marion, W.F. Hornyak (1984). Principles of Physics. Holt-Saunders International Saunders
College. ISBN 4-8337-0195-2
L.H. Greenberg (1978). Physics with Modern Applications. Holt-Saunders International W.B.
Saunders and Co. ISBN 0-7216-4247-0.
Recommended References
J.B. Marion, W.F. Hornyak (1984). Principles of Physics. Holt-Saunders International Saunders
College. ISBN 4-8337-0195-2.
P.A. Tipler, G. Mosca (2008). Physics for Scientists and Engineers: With Modern Physics (6th
ed.). W.H. Freeman and Co. ISBN 9-781429-202657.
R.G. Lerner, G.L. Trigg (2005). Encyclopaedia of Physics (2nd ed.). VHC Publishers, Hans
Warlimont, Springer. pp. 12–13. ISBN 978-0-07-025734-4.

OTHER READING MATERIALS FOR THE COURSE

1. Fundamentals of Physics, Extended, 10th Edition, David Halliday, Robert Resnick, Jearl
Walker, ISBN: 978-1-118-23072-5

2. Bergeron C. G., et al, (1984), Introduction to Phase Equilibrium in Ceramics, American


Ceramic Society, Inc, Columbus, Ohio,

3. Herman T. Briscoe (2007), The Structure and Properties of Matter, Kessinger Publishing

3
COLLABORATION AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Students are encouraged to do collaboration and discussion and to talk to peers about the assignments
and approaches to solutions. However, work that you hand in must be your own work and arguments
should be presented sufficiently and clearly to show that you understand the solution you are
presenting. Kindly refer to the regulations in the undergraduate calendar on academic integrity. For
instance, appreciate that: “knowingly assisting someone to cheat is itself cheating."

To get good grades in this course:


The further you get into the program the more assignments will be about applying what you see in
class rather than merely repeating it. So not only will you find assignments more challenging, you will
also need to manage your time better. Do not leave assignments until the night before they are due!
It may take a few hours or even a day or two for ideas to really sink in after you've first gone through
them in detail. So plan ahead: start looking at assignments when they are set and you might even want
to plan time to sit down with peers to talk about them. Please attend lectures too - we're working on
some important physical concepts and I like to have an interactive environment. When you don't
know - ask!

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