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PX2015: DYNAMICAL PHENOMENA (2024-2025)

Last modified: 22 Aug 2024 16:46


Course Overview

Understanding oscillatory and wavelike behaviour is of huge importance in comprehending how our natural world works.  It seems that everything in nature has its own cycle, rhythm or oscillation.   From planets revolving around the sun to waves on the sea, even fundamental particles are treated as waves in modern physics.   Accessible to students with some knowledge of calculus, this course will explain the mathematics of this fascinating and important subject.  Methods of solving the differential equations that describe waves and oscillatory phenomena will be explored, including numerical techniques.



Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 2
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Lecturer Nicolas Rubido
  • Dr Ekkehard Ullner

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Programme Level 2

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • PX2014 Dynamical Phenomena (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course is an introduction to physical phenomena that depend on time, with emphasis on oscillatory and wave-like behaviour. The concept of a second order linear system will be used to unify the treatment of mechanical and electrical phenomena, and to introduce simple harmonic oscillators, damped oscillators, and resonance. Wave motion will be used to introduce the ideas behind Fourier transforms. Matlab software will be introduced as a means to learn basic techniques for scientific programming and of find numerical solutions for differential equations.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 60
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1.5 hour exam

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Computer Programming Exercise

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
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Programming Project

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Theory Assignment

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Resubmission of failed elements (pass marks carried forward)

Assessment Type Summative Weighting
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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.

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