How to use this handbook 2

Introduction 3

The Physics Department 3

Lecture Theatres & Practical Laboratories 3

Libraries 4

Computers 4

Refreshments 4

Communications 4

Student Support and Guidance 4

Careers Advice and Graduate Study 5

Physics Joint Consultative Committee(PJCC) 5

The Institute of Physics 5

Overview of courses, teaching and examinations 5

The BA (3-yr) and MPhys (4-yr) Courses 5

The Physics Courses- Aims & Objectives 6

Department and College Teaching 6

Vacations 6

Examinations 7

Eligibility for MPhys Course 7

Physics and Philosophy 8

First Year 9

Induction 9

Safety Lecture 9

Practical Work 9

Self-study modules in basic mathematics

and mechanics 10

The Preliminary Examination 10

Astronomy 10 Physics and Philosophy 10

Earth Sciences and Materials Science 10

Textbooks 10

First Year Physics and Maths Lectures 10

Timetable for First Year Lectures 11

Second Year 12

The BA and MPhys courses 12

Mainstream Lectures 12

Practical Work, including Oral and

Written Communication Skills 12

Vacation Projects 12

How to give a talk 12

IOP Speaking Competition 12

Language Option 12

Teaching Physical Sciences 12

Theoretical Physics (Theory Option) 13

Alternative Subject 13 Physics and Philosophy 13 Timetable for Second Year Lectures 14

Third Year 15

The BA and MPhys courses 15

Mainstream Lectures 15

Timetable for Third Year Lectures 15

Practical Work 15

Theoretical Physics (‘Theory Option’) 15

Language Option 15

Alternative Subject 16

Part A Finals for BA and MPhys 16

Practical Work 16

Assessment of Class 16

The Third Year - Part B 17

Part B for the 3-year BA course 17

Minor Options 17

Advanced Practical or Essay 17

Weighting of papers 18

Part B for the 4-year MPhys Course 18

Projects 18

Physics and Philosophy 18

Fourth Year 19

Projects 19

Lectures and Classes for Major Options 19

Lectures for the Minor Options 19

Language Option 19

Part B Finals for the MPhys 19

Assessment of Class 19

Physics and Philosophy 20

APPENDICES 21

A: Reading List 21

B: Syllabuses for Prelims 25

C: Part A (Hilary 2000 and 2001) 28

D: Physics & Philosophy (Hilary 2000

and 2001) 32

E: Minor Options (Trinity 2000) 34

F: Major Options (Trinity 2000 and 2001) 35

G: PJCC Lecture Feedback Form 37

H: Academic Staff List 38

I: Useful Numbers 40

J: University Rules on Computers 40

K: Important Dates 41

there is an entrance off Keble Road down a flight of steps. Astronomy practicals are in room 614 in the NAPL, the Condensed Matter practical laboratory is in room 203 of the Clarendon, and Atmospheric Physics practicals are in room 209h of the Atmospheric Physics building.

Libraries

The libraries in the department are not normally available for use by undergraduates. College libraries are generally well stocked with the recommended physics textbooks, and if your library is without a book you need, you should tell your tutor or your College librarian. A list of the books recommended by the lecturers is given in Appendix A. The Radcliffe Science Library (RSL) in Parks Road also has a comprehensive collection of physics books and journals and you may use this library, provided you have your Bodleian reading card with you. There is also a useful lending library - the Hooke Library - which is in South Parks Road, adjacent to the RSL.

Computers

There are a number of computer workstations in the computing practical laboratory on the second floor of the NAPL. All undergraduates have an account on the practical course computers which enables them to book practicals as well as use the computers. The Colleges all have computing facilities for their undergraduates and there is a University-wide network, which enables students to analyse their data when back in College.

Undergraduates will also receive an account on the University computing system. All new users will be asked to sign an undertaking to abide by the University Rules on the use of computers, a copy of which is given in Appendix J.

Refreshments

There are vending machines in the reception area of the practical course in the NAPL and in the corridor on the first floor of the Clarendon beyond the Lindemann lecture theatre. You may not take any food or drink into the lecture theatres, the practical laboratories or near any computers.

Communications

Academic staff have pigeon holes in the building where they have an office and there is a messenger service that can be used to deliver notes between Colleges and Departments. Staff may also be contacted by telephone or by e-mail. A list of telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and college affiliations is given in Appendix H.

Much administrative information about the course and the examinations is sent to students by the “Messages” system of the teaching course computer system, and to individuals by e-mail. It is important therefore that students check both Messages and their e-mail regularly. This can be done from college as well as the Department: the Practical Course handbook explains how. Some important information from the Sub-Faculty and University is sent to individual students by the messenger service, or is distributed via College Senior Physics Tutors.

Notices about the examinations are posted on the official examiners’ board in the reception area of the practical course in NAPL. In this reception area there is a board for general notes and posters, information about practical work, and notices from the undergraduate liaison committee, called the Physics Joint Consultative Committee (PJCC).

Student Support and Guidance

Student health and welfare are primarily College responsibilities; tutors, chaplains, and other confidential advisers make up a sympathetic and effective network of support for students. In addition, the University has a Counselling Service available to help students, and the Student Union has officers working actively to promote student health and welfare. The Proctors’ and Assessor’s Memorandum, which is available from Colleges, provides general information on welfare, finance, health and recreation, as well as on student conduct and on the running of University examinations.

Your College tutors provide advice about the Physics courses, and information is also available from the Sub-Faculty office in room 022 of the Clarendon (located near the front entrance) and from the practical course in the NAPL. Feel free to ask any of the academic staff for help; you can find them in the department by asking the receptionists in the NAPL or the Clarendon, or the secretaries in room 3.1 of Theoretical Physics. Photographs of the staff are displayed outside the Common Rooms in NAPL and the Clarendon, and in the entrances of the Theoretical and Atmospheric Physics buildings.

Careers Advice and Graduate Study

The University Careers Service (at 56 Banbury Road) provides careers advice for both undergraduates and graduates (see http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk). One of their staff specialises in advising physics students. The service has excellent contacts with many employers, and maintains links with ex-Oxford students working in many different types of job. The Physics Department has two people designated for liaison with the Careers Service (see Appendix I). The Careers Service also has comprehensive details on post-graduate study in the UK or abroad (see http://www.prospects. csu.ac.uk). Information on research opportunities is also available from the sub-departments of physics and from tutors.

The Physics Joint Consultative Committee

The PJCC has elected undergraduate members who meet twice a term to discuss both academic and administrative matters with academic staff representatives. The department values the advice that it receives from this committee for improving

the quality of lectures, practicals and other aspects of the physics courses.

The PJCC organise the distribution and collection of lecture feedback forms, a copy of one of which is reproduced in Appendix G. These are a valuable source of information for the department’s Academic Committee which organises the lectures and is in charge of the Physics courses. There are also suggestion boxes in all the lecture theatres, where students can put comments on lectures, and in the reception area of the practical course for comments on the practical course. Students are urged to make full use of these feedback facilities.

The Institute of Physics

This organisation offers a number of facilities for students through its ‘Nexus’ network, and organises a public speaking and a poster display competition. They have information about careers for physicists. The IoP offers reduced membership charges for students. See http://www.iop.org/

Nexus for more information.

The BA (3-yr) and MPhys (4-yr) Courses

The first two and a half years (8 terms) are the same for the BA (3-year) and MPhys (4-year) courses. The first (Foundation) year ends with the Preliminary Examination and during the next five terms you study for Part A of the Finals examination, which takes place at the end of the Hilary Term of your third year.

For those of you taking the BA, the course finishes at the end of the Trinity Term of your third year. Part B of the BA course takes place during this term and consists of an advanced practical or essay and a minor option.

For those of you taking the MPhys, Part B contains project work, carried out in Trinity Term of your third year, two major options studied in Michaelmas and Hilary Term of your fourth year, and a minor option taken in the Trinity Term of your fourth year.

The Physics Courses – Aims and Objectives

Both the BA and the MPhys courses are designed to provide education of high quality in physics, in a challenging but supportive learning environment, which will encourage all students to develop independent and critical habits of thought and of learning. Both courses develop transferable skills related to communication, computing, and problem solving. Their aim is to ensure that, on graduation, all students will be in a position to choose from many different careers, and have the skills, knowledge and understanding to make a rapid contribution to their chosen employment or research area, and that those with the aptitude are prepared for postgraduate study in physics, and thus contribute to the vitality of UK research.

On completion of either course, students should have developed a thorough understanding and broad knowledge of the general theoretical and experimental scientific principles of physics, so that they have the resources to apply their knowledge to a wide range of physical phenomena. They should have learned the techniques required in a modern mathematically-based physics course, gained an understanding of the conceptual structure associated with the major physical theories, understood how to set up simple models of physical problems and learned a wide range of problem-solving skills, both analytical and computational, and how to apply them in contexts that may not be familiar. Students should also have learned the experimental techniques required by working physicists involving sound and safe procedures, how to record and analyse data and how to write accounts of laboratory work which can be clearly understood by other scientists, and will have investigated experimentally some of the most important physical phenomena.

On completion of their course, BA students will have gained some experience of working on an open-ended assignment and all students will have had the opportunity either to acquire some expertise in a more specialised area of physics of their choice, or to broaden their education by study of a foreign language. MPhys students, in addition, should have acquired in-depth knowledge in two chosen specialisations within physics, and – from their project work – they should have learned how to plan and execute an open-ended piece of work, and will have gained experience of a research environment.

Department and College Teaching

The teaching of the courses is carried out through lectures, practical work in the laboratories, tutorials in the colleges (to which the academic staff are also attached), and classes.

There are comprehensive and challenging lecture courses, in which lecturers are allowed flexibility in their approach, which may frequently lead to the inclusion of material reflecting developments in the field, not contained in standard textbooks. Lectures are generally regarded as essential, but they are not in fact compulsory. Printed notes, problem sheets and other handouts frequently support them. Students need to learn how to take good lecture notes, and supplement them with their own private study, using textbooks recommended by the lecturers and their tutors.

The whole of physics depends on experimental observations, and learning how to make these reliably and quantitatively is an essential part of physics education. Practical work is compulsory, and averages about one whole day per week for most of the first year. Practical work is recorded in ‘logbooks’, and some practicals have to be written up in detail and marked. Termly progress reports on laboratory work are sent to College tutors. See pages 9, 12 and 16 for further details on practical work in the first three years.

The College-based tutorial teaching provides guidance as to what to study, and in what order, coupled with week-by-week work assignments. These assignments are generally problems, with the occasional essay. This is a “Socratic” mode of instruction in which students’ understanding is rigorously and individually probed and expanded. College examinations (“Collections”) monitor students’ progress during the long intervals between University examinations, and students are given regular reports on their progress.

For the more specialised Major Options in Part B of the MPhys course, tutorials are replaced by classes organised by the Department. Attendance at these classes is compulsory, and records are kept of students’ progress and sent to College tutors.

Vacations

At Oxford the teaching terms are quite short – they add up to only about 25 weeks in one year. Therefore it is essential that you set aside significant amounts of time each vacation for academic work. The course assumes that you will do this. You should go over your notes, revising the material and supplementing it by information gained from tutorials and from your own reading. In addition to consolidating the previous term's work, you should also try to prepare for the next term's courses. Your tutors may also set you some specific vacation work.

Examinations

The First Year exams (Prelims) are not classified, but divided into Pass and Fail marks on each of the five papers, with a Pass mark of 40%. Distinctions are awarded for excellent performance in the whole examination. A failed paper can be re-taken in September. The University requires that all papers must be passed at no more than two sittings: see the Examination Decrees and Regulations (‘The Grey Book’) for full details.

The Finals Examiners, who set, mark and classify Physics Finals, are a committee set up each year under the Proctors. They include an external examiner from another UK University, and may be assisted by a number of Assessors to set and mark some individual papers, projects, etc. In general, papers are not set and marked by the course lecturers; indeed the identity of the examiner for any paper is confidential. The identity of the candidates is hidden from the examiners; no communication with the candidate (or the candidate’s tutor) is allowed except via the candidate’s College and the Junior Proctor. The questions are required to be set in conformity with the syllabus whose interpretation is guided by previous papers, except where there has been an explicit change of syllabus. The current syllabuses for the final examinations in physics are printed in Appendices C-F.

How the examiners work is their responsibility, subject to any regulations laid down by the central bodies of the University. However, the following gives some indication of recent practice. Each paper is marked numerically. The numerical marks for each paper may be scaled to remove any first-order effect of a difficult (or easy) paper and these (scaled) marks are combined to give a total numerical mark. For illustrative purposes, the table below shows the percentages of candidates who, averaged over three recent years, fell in the indicated bands of total mark on the 5 A-papers (converted to % and scaled to a mean of 60% and s.d. of 17%):

Total % scaled mark	70% and above	60 –69%	50 –59%	40 –49%	30 –39%	Below 30%
% cand.	27	23	26	16	6	2

In addition to the numerical mark, a quality mark is also given to reflect whether the performance on that paper was Class I, Class II.1, etc., as judged by the numerical mark, the historical proportions in each class (see below) and by the following qualitative criteria:

Class I º the candidate shows excellent problem-solving skills and excellent knowledge of the material, and is able to use that knowledge in unfamiliar contexts;

Class II.1 º the candidate shows good problem-solving skills and good knowledge of the material;

Class II.2 º the candidate shows basic problem-solving skills and adequate knowledge of most of the material;

Class III º the candidate shows some problem-solving skills and adequate knowledge of at least part of the material;

Pass º the candidate has made a meaningful attempt of at least one question.

Classes are assigned on the basis of a careful consideration of this total numerical mark and the typical quality mark given. Practical work may also be taken into account. The approximate proportions of candidates in classes I, II.1, II.2, III and Pass for the cohort comprising the 1998 B.A. and 1999 M.Phys. candidates were 27.8%, 47.5%, 16.5%, 7% and 1.3%, respectively.

In the assignment of the final class in each half of Part B for a given Part A cohort, the examiners aim to ensure that there should be no in-built advantage in final class by choosing the M.Phys. course over the B.A. course, or vice versa.

A list of calculators that may be used in Prelims examinations in 2000 will be issued in Michaelmas Term 1999.

Eligibility for MPhys Course

From Hilary Term 2000, the examiners will publish after the Part A examination a list of those students eligible to proceed to the MPhys course. The standard required is the equivalent of a II.2 Class or better performance in Part A.

Should you be undecided as to which course you should be doing, then in the first instance discuss it with your College tutor. It is not necessary to make up your mind until after the Part A exams; however, to avoid having to apply for additional LEA funding at a later stage, it is generally advisable to register initially for the 4-year MPhys course.

Physics and Philosophy

There is a corresponding Handbook for this course (which is four-year only): Physics and Philosophy – A Handbook 1999-2000. Please refer to the Physics and Philosophy Handbook for all details of the Physics and Philosophy course that are not covered in the Physics Handbook.

The Physics and Philosophy course is run by the Joint Committee for Physics and Philosophy, which consists of three staff members from Physics and three from Philosophy, together with an undergraduate representative. The Chair of the Committee in Michaelmas Term 1999 and Hilary Term 2000 is Dr. J. Logue (Somerville College, Tel. 70650) and in Trinity Term 2000 is Dr S. W. Saunders (Philosophy sub-faculty, 10 Merton St., Tel. 76936). The Physics contact person on the Committee is Prof. I.J.R. Aitchison (Theoretical Physics, 1 Keble Rd., Tel. 73974).

The first year of the course leads to the examination called Moderations. During the following six terms you study for the Part A of the Finals examination, which is taken in two parts: three physics papers at the end of the Hilary Term of your third year, and three philosophy papers taken in the Trinity Term of your third year. The fourth year leads to Part B in the Trinity Term. In Part B you must offer one paper on “Advanced Philosophy of Physics”; in addition you do three further subjects in Physics and/or Philosophy. You may choose 3, 2, 1 or no physics subjects.

The aims and objectives of the physics course, stated above, apply equally – where appropriate – to the Physics and Philosophy course. Additionally, the aim of the physics components in the Physics and Philosophy course is to provide an appropriate basis for the study of foundational and philosophical aspects of physical science, in particular of quantum mechanics and special relativity.

The physics papers taken by Physics and Philosophy candidates are marked on exactly the basis as those taken by Physics candidates (please refer to the section on Examinations, above). Guidelines to the assessment criteria in philosophy papers are given in the Physics and Philosophy Handbook. The Final degree classification is based on performance in both Parts A and B. The highest honours can be obtained by excellence either in physics or in philosophy, provided that adequate knowledge is shown in the other subject area. In addition, the Joint Committee has adopted the following guideline: excellence in Part A alone, or Part B alone, or (where applicable) solely in the minority subject, will not normally be sufficient to obtain highest honours.

Students should note that they will have to complete, as part of their Part A requirements, three particular physics practicals during their second/third years (one in each of the Michaelmas Term and Hilary Term of the second year, and one in Michaelmas Term of the third year). It will also be possible to offer a practical (or a theoretical) project in Part B (fourth year). Although there is no requirement for practical work in the first year of the course, it is possible to arrange (through your physics tutor) to do some if you want to. It is compulsory for all first year Physics and Philosophy students to attend the Safety lecture on Wednesday of 2^nd week (20^th October) – see page 9, below.

Induction

All Physics and Physics and Philosophy freshers are required to attend Induction from 2:15 to 4:15 on Friday afternoon of 0th week of Michaelmas Term (8^th October). There you will hear a brief introduction to Oxford Physics, an outline of the first year course, and addresses by a student representative of the Physics Joint Consultative Committee (see above) and by a representative of the Institute of Physics. There will also be an introduction to the Practical Course, and you will be given your copy of the Practical Course Handbook.

To keep the numbers manageable, students will be split by College into two groups; please check below which group you are in. Group A will start in the Nuclear and Astrophysics Laboratory (NAPL) Lecture Theatre, group B in the Lindemann Lecture Theatre in the Clarendon (see Map and directions given above).

Group A (Practicals on Thursdays):

Balliol, Brasenose, Exeter, Jesus, Magdalen, Mansfield, Merton, Pembroke, Queen’s, St.Catherine’s, St.John’s, St.Edmund Hall, Wadham, Worcester.

Group B (Practicals on Fridays):

Christ Church, Corpus Christi, Hertford, Keble, Lady Margaret Hall, Lincoln, New College, Oriel, St.Anne’s, St.Hilda’s, St.Hugh’s, St.Peter’s, Somerville, Trinity, University.

N.B. This grouping of Colleges also shows which day you will do practical work during the first year:

Safety lecture

A safety lecture, which is compulsory for all Physics, and Physics and Philosophy, students is held on the Wednesday morning of 2^nd week (20^th October) of Michaelmas Term at 9am in the Lindemann lecture theatre. A record will be kept of the names of students who attend the lecture, since only those who have done so are allowed to work on the Practical Course.

If for any reason it is not going to be possible for you to attend, tell your tutor, and let Mr Ward (Practical Course Co-ordinator) know before the beginning of Second Week.

As a fall-back, there is a video which can be shown to those who have been excused because of unavoidable commitments on that morning or (at a fee) to those who miss the lecture for other reasons.

Practical work

Practical work starts in the third week of Michaelmas Term and takes place between 10am and 5pm on Thursdays and Fridays. The need to cope with large numbers of students means that you will go through the first-year laboratories on a rota system, and Colleges have been assigned to Thursdays and Fridays as indicated above. You should not arrange commitments that clash with your practical work; however, if the allocation raises genuine difficulties for you, discuss it with your tutor and tell Mr Ward well before practical work starts.

Pairings for practical work will be registered at the Practical Administration session immediately following the Safety lecture. To save time, students are asked to arrange suitable pairings beforehand if possible, but anyone without a partner will be found one at the meeting.

When in the computing laboratory you will do a morning session and an afternoon session on consecutive days (Thursday and Friday of the same week) to prevent you having to stare at a screen for 6 hours on the same day. However, the afternoon will be the same day of the week as you do other practicals (i.e. Thursday pm for group A, Friday pm for group B), so your usual afternoon activities should not be affected.

The Practical Course Handbook contains details of all experiments, booking, requirements for examinations, laboratory opening hours, and so on, as well as a handy section on estimating accuracy. It is important to become familiar with it.

Self-study modules in basic mathematics and mechanics

This is a scheme designed to bridge the gap between school and university maths and mechanics for those who have not had sufficient preparation. Your tutor has the information about this, and it will be explained at Induction.

The Preliminary Examination

The first year is a foundation year at the end of which you will take the Physical Sciences Preliminary Examination (Prelims). This contains five papers and most of you will take the two maths: Maths 1 and 2, and the three physics papers: Physics 1, 2 and 3. The second year course does not require you to have taken Physics 2 - waves, optics and quantum physics - and you can replace Physics 2 by another subject of your choice, normally Astronomy or Mathematical Physics, though other choices, for example Earth Sciences or Materials Science, are possible.

The choice of papers that can be taken in the Physical Sciences Preliminary Examination is given in the Examination Decrees and Regulations (The Grey Book). You do not have to decide until Hilary Term and should discuss the matter with your tutor, but as some of the lecture courses start in the first week of Michaelmas Term, in particular Astronomy, you should attend any lectures on a subject you might consider taking instead of Physics 2.

Astronomy

If you take Astronomy there are Astronomy Practicals (for details see the Practical Course Handbook). The Astrophysics sub-department has the Wetton Telescope in the Observatory by the side of the University Parks, which can be used by undergraduates.

Physics and Philosophy

The first year course leads to the examination called “Moderations”, in which you have to take the same two maths papers as the physicists (i.e. Maths 1 and Maths 2) and a choice of either Physics 1 or Physics 3; the Joint Committee recommends students to take Physics 1. The syllabuses for these papers are given in Appendix B. See the Physics and Philosophy Handbook for further details about Moderations, including details of the Philosophy papers.

Earth Sciences & Materials Science

While nearly all of you will be taking the 3-year BA or 4-year MPhys courses it may, in certain circumstances, be possible for a Physics student to transfer after Prelims to Earth Sciences or Materials Science and complete his or her degree in that subject. While it is preferable that such a student should have taken one of the Earth Sciences or Materials Science papers in their Prelims, this is not essential.

Textbooks

A list of the books recommended by the lecturers for the first-year course is given in Appendix A. Your tutor will advise you as to what books you should obtain. A guide to library services is given on page 4.

First Year Physics & Maths Lectures

The lectures for Maths 1 and 2, Physics 1, 2 and 3, Astronomy and Mathematical Physics cover the syllabuses for these papers published in the Grey Book and given below in Appendix B. The timetable of all the lectures for Prelims is published in the Physical Sciences Lecture List.

Lectures start promptly at five minutes past the hour and end at five to.

On the next page there is a brief outline of the topics that will be lectured in Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity Terms and when they occur.

As well as the lectures on the examined mainstream topics there are others on the list that should be attended; those on the analysis of experimental measurements contain important material for the practical course, and the “Science Today” lectures cover exciting aspects of Physics, while the other “general information” ones should be useful and informative. Note, however, that “Computing for Utter Beginners” is intended only for those who have never performed numerical calculations by computer, and gives a brief introduction to using PASCAL.

Michaelmas Term

Paper	Subject	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	L	T
Physics 1	Classical Mechanics									8	2
	Special Relativity									8	2
Physics 2	Waves & Optics									8	3
Physics3	Electronics & circuits									12	2
Maths 1	Calculus									13	3
	Vectors									3	2
	Friendly vectors									5
Maths 2	Ord DEs & Complex Numbers									12	3
	Friendly Complex Numbers									2
Astronomy	(Alternative to Physics 2)									8

*Other Lectures*	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	L
Analysis of Experimental Measurements									4
Computing for Utter Beginners									2
Computer Packages to do your Calculus									1
Science Today									5
*General Information Lectures*
Admin and Computing facilities									1
Safety (compulsory)									1

Hilary Term

Paper	Subject	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	L	T
Physics 1	Classical Mechanics									8	2
Physics 2	Waves & Optics									4	1
	Quantum Physics									8	3
Physics 3	Electromagnetism									12	4
Maths 1	Multiple Integrals									4	1
	Vector Calculus									12	3
Maths 2	Determinants etc									4	1
	Normal Modes & PDEs									12	3
Astronomy	(Alternative to Physics 2)									16	8
Math Phys	(Alternative to Physics 2)									16	4

Trinity Term

Paper	Subject	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	L	T
Physics 2	Quantum Physics									4	1
Physics 3	Electromagnetism									4	1
Math Phys	(Alternative to Physics 2)									12	3
Revision	Physics 1, 2, 3, Maths 1, 2									20

Second Year

The BA and MPhys courses

Part A is the same for the BA (3-year) and MPhys (4-year) courses, and work on Part A starts at the beginning of the second year and continues until the end of Hilary Term of your third year when Part A of the Finals examination takes place (i.e in Hilary 2001).

Mainstream Lectures

The lectures given over the next five terms cover the material examined in Part A of the BA and MPhys. Part A contains five papers and the syllabuses for these are given at the end of the handbook in Appendix C. A brief outline of the topics that will be lectured in Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity Terms of the second year is given below.

Practical Work, including Oral and Written Communication Skills

The requirement for practical work for Part A is 24 days (8 days in Michaelmas Term and 8 days in Hilary Term of year 2, and 8 days in Michaelmas Term of year 3), unless you are doing the ‘Teaching Physical Sciences’ course or will be taking a Theoretical Physics paper in Part A when the requirement is less (see below).

There is no practical work in Trinity Term of year 2 and part of this time is allocated for students to prepare and give talks within Colleges, as training in oral communication skills. There will be a lecture in Hilary Term giving guidance on how to give a talk. Students who give a satisfactory talk will have this recorded on their practical mark record. In Trinity Term students also write Reports on two experiments carried out earlier in the year, as part of their training in written communication skills.

Vacation Projects

There is the possibility of substituting a vacation project, during which students work with a research group, for some practical work and details about this are given in the Practical Course Handbook.

How to give a talk

This lecture is to be held in week 8 of Hilary Term 2000; details of the time and place will appear in the Hilary Term lecture list.

Institute of Physics Speaking Competition

In April each year there is a national competition which involves giving a short talk on Physics. There is a departmental competition in Hilary Term to choose our representative, and any interested student should contact Ming Quan Li (tel. 72227) by the end of week 1 in Hilary Term in the first instance.

Language Option

The option will involve 32 hours of classes together with associated work in Trinity Term. It can be used to replace the 1½ hour minor option paper in either the three or four year course.

A course is offered in French every year and this may only be taken in your final year. A course in German and Spanish is offered in alternate years and this may be taken in your final or penultimate year.

The course will be assessed, and the basis of assessment is on the improvement and standard achieved during the course. The preliminary test associated with this assessment will occur in the middle of Hilary Term.

In Trinity Term 2000 the courses will be French and Spanish. The Language Centre will give a presentation in Michaelmas Term, for those interested in the courses. Formal application to the Chairman of the sub-Faculty to take the Spanish course, by those second year students who intend to take the three year BA course, is required by Friday of 6^th week in Michaelmas Term. For further information contact Ming Quan Li (tel. 72227).

Teaching and Learning Physics in Schools

This course is run by the Department of Educational Studies and takes place in Hilary Term. The course replaces practical work in that term i.e. 8 days. There are a limited number of places available. Students who are interested should attend a meeting with the course tutor at 12:00 on Thursday of week 2 (21^st October) of Michaelmas Term in the NAPL Lecture Theatre.

Theoretical Physics (‘The Theory Option’)

In the Part A examination it is possible to replace some of the practical requirement by taking a Theoretical Physics paper. Students can elect to take either a 1½ hour paper, which replaces 6 days of practical work, or a 3 hour paper, which replaces 12 days of practical.

Alternative Subject

All students taking either the BA or the MPhys course are required to take a minor option or the language option in the Part B of their course. However, students may propose in writing to the Chairman of the sub-Faculty of Physics or deputy another subject paper or papers, to replace the written paper of 1½ hours (the minor option), to be taken in their final year. The application will only be agreed if the proposed course and examination already exist within the University and is considered appropriate. For second year students intending to take the BA course, the deadline is the end of first week Trinity Term 2000; for those intending to take the MPhys course, the deadline is the end of first week Trinity Term 2001.

Physics and Philosophy

Part A is examined in two parts: Physics (at the end of Hilary Term of the third year), and Philosophy (at the end of Trinity Term of the third year). There are three physics papers: Fundamental Principles I, which is the same as Physics A3; Fundamental Principles II, which is almost the same as Physics A5 (the mathematics in Physics A1 is included in Fundamental Principles II); and Theoretical Physics, which contains the Classical Mechanics and Quantum Mechanics components of the physics “Theory Option”. The syllabuses for these papers are given in Appendix D.

Philosophy in Part A of Physics and Philosophy Finals is examined at the end of Trinity Term of the third year; see the Physics and Philosophy Handbook for further details.

One of the three specified practicals must be completed in Michaelmas Term of the second year, and one in Hilary Term of the second year.

Note that if you did not attend the Safety Lecture at the beginning of your first year you must attend the corresponding one at the beginning of your second year. Only students who are recorded as having attended the Safety Lecture are allowed to work on the Practical Course.

Students must also give a satisfactory short talk in the Trinity Term of the second year: there will be a lecture in Hilary Term giving guidance on how to give a talk (see above, page 12).

Note that a special course on Elementary Electromagnetic Theory will be given in Hilary Term, which aims to provide a basic introduction to the conceptual foundations and mathematical formulation of electromagnetism as a field theory, and to supply the background necessary for parts of the Theoretical Physics course.

Michaelmas Term

Paper	Subject P&P P&P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	L	T
A1	Kinetic Theory									5	2
A1	Thermodynamics									10	4
A1 & A5	Mathematical Methods Ö									16	5
A3	Quantum Mechanics Ö									14	4

*Other Lectures*		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8		L
Linear Algebra and Tensors											6

Hilary Term

Paper	Subject P&P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	L	T
A2	Electromagnetism									14	5
A2	Optics									10	4
A3	Quantum Mechanics Ö									8	2
A5	Special Relativity Ö									8	2
For P&P	Intro to Electromagnetism Ö									6	4
Theory Option	Classical Mechanics Ö									10	3

*Other Lectures*	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	L
How to give a talk									1
Tensors									4
Functions of a Complex Variable									8
Numerical Methods									8
Microstructural Characterisation of Materials									8

Trinity Term

Paper	Subject P&P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	L	T
A1	Statistical Mechanics									10	4
A3	Atomic Physics Ö									12	5
A4	Electronics									12	3
A5	Particle &Nuclear Physics Ö									6	2
Theory Option	Quantum Mechanics Ö									10	3

*Other Lectures*		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8		L
Symmetry in Physics											8

Practical Work

The requirement for practical work for Part A is 8 days in Michaelmas Term unless you are taking a Theoretical Physics paper in Part A, when the requirement is less (see below). There is no practical work in Hilary Term.

Theoretical Physics (‘The Theory Option’)

If you have decided to take the 1½ hour paper in Part A, then the requirement for practical work for Part A is 18 days; if you have decided to take the 3 hour paper, then the requirement is 12 days.

Language Option

The option will involve 32 hours of classes together with associated work in Trinity Term. It can be used to replace the one-and-a-half hour minor option paper in either the three or four year course.

The course will be assessed, and the basis of assessment is on the improvement and standard achieved during the course. The Preliminary test associated with this assessment will occur in the middle of Hilary Term.

In Trinity Term 2000 the courses will be French and Spanish. The Language Centre will give a presentation in Michaelmas Term, for those interested in the courses. Formal application to the Chairman of the sub-Faculty is required by Friday of 6^th week in Michaelmas Term. For further information contact Ming Quan Li (tel. 72227).

Alternative Subject

Third year students intending to take the MPhys course may apply to take an alternative subject in place of the Minor Option (see above, page 13). Application should be made in writing to the Chairman of the Physics sub-Faculty or deputy not later than the end of first week of Trinity Term 2000. The application will only be agreed if the proposed course and examination already exist within the University and is considered appropriate.

Part A Finals for BA and MPhys

These notes are to help you prepare for and give information about the examination; the information is for guidance only. The examiners are, however, bound only by the material printed in the Examination Decrees and Regulations 1999 and by the syllabuses published by the Physics Sub-Faculty. The syllabuses for Part A are reproduced in Appendix C.

Part A of the Final Examination will consist of five papers on the general principles of physics and an assessment of the practical work performed during the second year and the first term of the third year of the course. Six or twelve days of practical work may be replaced by work in theoretical physics, which will be examined as a separate paper. A candidate who replaces six days of practical work will be required to sit a paper of one and a half hours on theoretical physics while a candidate replacing twelve days will be required to sit a paper of three hours on theoretical physics. The examination for Part A will be in Hilary Term 2000.

The five papers on the general principles of physics will cover mainly the following topics.

A1. Thermal Physics & Mathematics 8 Questions

A2. Electromagnetism & Optics 8 Questions

A3. Atomic Physics &

Quantum Mechanics 8 Questions

A4. Condensed Matter Physics &

Electronics 8 Questions

A5. Nuclear & Particle Physics,

Relativity & Mathematics 8 Questions

On Papers A1-A5 candidates will be required to answer 4 questions.

The distribution within each paper will include at least the following: on Paper A1 there will be 6 questions on thermal physics and one on math-ematics; on Paper A2 there will be 4 questions on electromagnetism and 3 on optics; on Paper A3 there will be 4 on atomic physics and 3 on quantum mechanics; on paper A4 there will be 5 on condensed matter physics and 2 on electronics; on paper A5 there will be 4 on nuclear and particle physics, one on relativity and one on mathematics. On each of the papers A1-5, there will be one or two questions involving “essay” type questions, simple estimates or applications.

Candidates should note that, apart from the mathematical questions, emphasis will be placed on testing the conceptual and experimental understanding of the subjects.

Practical Work

Candidates must submit to the examiners by a date to be prescribed by the examiners, their log- books and accounts reporting on practical work normally carried out in the second and third year of study. The Examiners will publish the precise arrangements for submitting the logbooks and other material; the general requirements are given in the Practical Course Handbook. Candidates offering a paper in theoretical physics are required to submit their accounts and logbooks covering the appropriate reduced number of terms.

Assessment of Class

Guidelines as to how the examiners assess the Class of written papers is given above in the Introduction on page 7.

In assessing whether a candidate's practical work is satisfactory the examiners may take account of (i) the reports, (ii) the logbooks and accounts and (iii) the achievement of the amount of practical work as specified in the Practical Course Handbook. For candidates whose practical work is satisfactory attention will not normally be paid to the practical work in allocating classes. The material submitted by candidates whose practical work is unsatisfactory will be considered in detail by the examiners in allocating classes. It is important that students consult their tutors early in the event of difficulty with practical work.

The examiners will decide on a satisfactory standard for the papers on theoretical physics. In awarding classes no notice will normally be taken of the performance on the theoretical physics papers in the case of candidates who achieve the satisfactory standard. In the case of a candidate who fails to achieve a satisfactory standard the performance on the theoretical physics papers will be considered in detail in awarding classes.

(The examiners expect to issue lists of those candidates who have performed well in practical work or on the theoretical physics paper.)

The Third Year - Part B

By the beginning of Trinity Term 2000 you should have decided whether you are intending to take the Three Year course (BA) or the Four Year course (MPhys). (The official Examination Entry form must be submitted by your College at the end of week 1.) Your tutor will receive the results of your Part A examination over the Easter vacation, and if you have any doubts concerning which course you should take you should discuss the situation carefully with your tutor in the light of your examination results. Note that as from Hilary Term 2000, the examiners will publish after the Part A examination a list of those students eligible to proceed to the MPhys course; the standard required is the equivalent of a II.2 Class or better performance in Part A. You should bear in mind that the Four Year course is designed to be a challenging one and will involve an appreciable amount of advanced work. If you take the Four Year course about half of your total marks leading to your final degree classification will depend on work done after Part A. Part B of the Three Year course contributes about one fifth of the total marks.

At the end of Michaelmas Term 1999 a meeting will be organised for students intending to take the BA and the MPhys. You must attend this meeting.

For those of you taking the BA, the course finishes at the end of the Trinity Term of your third year and Part B takes place during this term and consists of a project or essay and a minor option.

For those of you taking the MPhys, Part B contains project work, carried out in Trinity Term of your third year, two major options studied in Michaelmas and Hilary Terms of your fourth year, and a minor option taken in the Trinity Term of your fourth year, i.e. Trinity 2001. The minor options available then and their syllabuses will be published in next year’s handbook.

A handbook containing details of the projects and essays for the BA and the projects for the MPhys will be circulated by the beginning of Hilary Term (see also the Practical Course Handbook). This also contains a timetable for carrying out the project work and handing in the report. You must specify your choice of project (or essay, for BA candidates) by Friday of week 2, Hilary Term. The allocation of projects will be issued in week 8 of Hilary Term, and you should contact your supervisor to discuss preparation for the project work.

There is a compulsory Safety Lecture in week 8 of Hilary Term, which all BA and MPhys students must attend.

The minor option in the BA or MPhys course may be replaced by a language option or by an alternative subject (see above, page 15).

Part B for the 3-year BA course

Unless you are substituting the Language Option for the Minor Option or have arranged to take an alternative subject (see above, page 15) then Finals Part B consists of a single 1½ hour paper, taken at the end of the Trinity Term 2000, on the option of your choice. The paper will be divided into sections, one section to each option. Candidates should attempt two questions in total taken from ONE SECTION ONLY. You are not required to specify in advance on which option you will answer questions. The syllabuses for the minor options are in Appendix E.

Arrangements will be such that you may attend lectures at the beginning of term on more than one option although some combinations may be excluded. The options available are:

The Minor Options

A. Optoelectronics

C. Medical and Environmental Physics

E. Physics of Fluid Flows

F. Observational Cosmology.

G. Chaos

H. Biophysics

I. Energy Studies

If you have already taken the Language Option you do not take the 1½ hour paper at the end of Trinity Term.

Advanced Practical or Essay

Additionally in Part B, BA candidates are required to submit either an essay or a dissertation on a practical project performed in Trinity Term 2000. The project work will be carried out during weeks 1-2. The report must be handed in by Friday of week 5.

Weighting of papers in assignment of class

The Examiners (see page 7) are responsible for the detailed weightings, but recent practice has been to assign the following relative weightings:

Each A paper: 1

Part B Minor Option paper: 0.5

BA Advanced Practical or Essay: 0.7

Part B for the 4-year MPhys course

Part B of the MPhys course starts in Trinity Term with work on a project and some lectures. Introductory lectures, designed to help you choose your major options, are given in week 1. Lectures proper start in week 7; the syllabuses for these are given in Appendix F. There are no classes this term but vacation work for the first class in Michaelmas Term will be handed out in lectures.

Projects

Projects will normally be done during weeks 2-6 of Trinity Term 2000. You will be expected to have produced a draft report by week 8 and the final word processed report, which will be assessed for both scientific content and presentation, must be handed in early in Michaelmas Term.

Physics and Philosophy

Lectures for Part A continue in Michaelmas Term, and you complete the third specified practical. Physics Consolidation lectures take place in Hilary Term, and you take the Physics papers of Part A at the end of Hilary Term. The Philosophy papers are taken in Trinity Term.

The following notes are intended as guidance to help you prepare for the physics papers in the examination. The distribution of questions within each paper will include at least the following: on Fundamental Principles I there will be 4 questions on Atomic Physics and 3 on Quantum Mechanics; on Fundamental Principles II there will be 4 on nuclear and particle physics, 2 on mathematics and 1 on relativity. On each of these papers there will be one or two questions involving “essay” type questions, simple estimates or applications. Candidates should note that, apart from the mathematical questions, emphasis will be placed on testing the conceptual and experimental understanding of the subjects. On the Theoretical Physics paper there will be 4 questions on Classical Mechanics and 4 questions on Quantum Mechanics.

Guidelines as to how the Physics examiners assess the class of written papers is given above in the Introduction on page 7.

Physics and Philosophy students intending to offer at least one physics paper in Part B should note that introductory lectures, designed to help you choose your Major Option(s), are given in week 1 of Trinity Term. Lectures for the Options themselves begin in week 7 of Trinity Term.

If you intend to offer at least two physics papers in Part B, one of them will be a Physics Minor Option, lectures for which take place in Trinity Term of your fourth year. You may opt to replace the Physics Minor Option by a physics essay or project, which is undertaken in the Trinity Term of your fourth year.

First Year

Michaelmas Term

Classical Mechanics

‘Introduction to Classical Mechanics’, A P French

& M G Ebison, (Chapman Hall) **

‘Analytical Mechanics’ , Fowles & Cassiday, (Saunders)

‘Mechanics’, Kittel et al (Vol. I of the Berkeley

Physics course), (McGraw-Hill)

‘An introduction to Mechanics’, D Kleppner &

R J Kolenkov, (McGraw-Hill)

‘Mechanics’, R C Smith and P Smith, 2^nd ed (Wiley),

‘The Physics of Vibrations and Waves’, H Pain, (Wiley) **

‘Classical Mechanics’, Kibble & Berkshire, (Longman) *

Special Relativity

‘Special Relativity’, A P French, (MIT) Nelson

‘Spacetime Physics’, E F Taylor & J A Wheeler (Freeman)

‘Introductory Special Relativity’, W G V Rosser, (PB)

‘Lectures on Special Relativity’, M G Bowler, Pergammon

‘Special Theory of Relativity’, H Muirhead, (Macmillan)

‘Relativity - The Special and General Theory’, A Einstein, University Paperbacks

‘Subtle is the Lord - The Science and the Life of Albert Einstein’, Abraham Pais, OUP

Waves and Optics

Suitable books (waves in general):

‘Vibrations & Waves’, Gough, Richards, Williams 2^nd ed. Prentice Hall (1996); or 1^st ed. Ellis Horwood (1983)

‘Vibrations and Waves in Physics’, I G Main, 3^rd ed, CUP (1993) or the 2^nd ed. (1984)

‘The Physics of Vibrations and Waves’, H J Pain, (Wiley)

‘Vibrations and Waves’, A P French, (Chapman & Hall),

Suitable books (optics):

‘Optics’, F G Smith & J H Thomson, 2^nd ed. Wiley (1998)**

‘Optics’, E Hecht, 3^rd ed. (Addison Wesley) or 2^nd ed. (1987)

Electronics and Circuit Theory

‘Electronics Circuits, Amps & Gates’, Bugg, (A Hilger) **

‘Basic Electronics for Scientists’, J Brophy, 5^th ed, (McGraw Hill) **

‘Electromagnetism - Principles and Applications’, Lorrain and Corson, 2^nd ed, (Freeman)

‘Elementary Linear Circuit Analysis’, L Bobrow, 2^nd ed, (Holt, Rinehart and Winston)

Vectors and Friendly Vectors

‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’, M L Boas, (Wiley, 2nd Edition)

Calculus

‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’, Boas **

‘All you ever wanted to know about Mathematics but were afraid to ask’, L Lyons (CUP) **

Ordinary Differential Equations and Complex Numbers,

‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’, M L Boas

Friendly Complex Numbers

‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’, M L Boas

Astronomy

‘Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics’, Zeilik and Gregory (4^th edition)

Hilary Term

Quantum Physics

‘An Introduction to Quantum Physics’, A P French and E F Taylor, (Chapman & Hall) **

‘Quantum Physics’, , Vol. 4, E H Wichmann, Berkeley Physics Course, (McGraw Hill) *

‘Introduction to Modern Physics’, K Krane, (Wiley) *

‘Modern Physics’, H C Ohanian, (Prentice Hall) *

Electromagnetism

‘Electricity and Magnetism’, W J Duffin, (McGraw Hill) **

‘Electromagnetism, principles and applications’, P Lorrain & Dale R Corson, 2^nd ed, (Freeman)

‘Electricity & Magnetism’, Bleaney & Bleaney 3^rd ed, *

Multiple Integrals

‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’, Boas

Vector Calculus

‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’, Boas **

‘Advanced Vector Analysis’, Weatherburn *

‘Vector Analysis’, Speigel (Schaum Outline Series) *

‘Lectures on Physics, Vol. II,’, Chs. 1-8, Feynman *

Determinants, Matrices and Linear Equations

‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’, Boas

Normal Modes and Partial Differential Equations

‘Vibrations and Waves’, A French (Chapman and Hall) *

‘Vibrations and Waves in Physics’, I Main, (Cambridge) *

‘The Physics of Vibrations and Waves’, H Pain, (Wiley) *

‘Vibrations and Waves’, Gough, Richards & Williams, (Ellis Horwood) **

‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’, Boas **

Functions of a Complex Variable

‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’, Boas **

‘Mathematical Methods for Physicists’, (Arfken) *

‘Complex Variables’, Spiegel (Schaum Outlines) *

Advanced Partial Differential Equations

‘Mathematical Methods for Physicists’, Arfken, (AP)

‘Mathematical Methods of Physical Sciences’, Boas

‘Waves’, Coulson and Jeffreys, (Longman)

‘Intro to PDEs for Science Students’, Stevenson

Trinity Term

(No reading list – revision lectures this term.)

Second Year

Michaelmas Term

Mathematical Methods

‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’, Boas **

‘Fourier Series and Boundary Value Problems’,

Churchill and Brown (McGraw-Hill) *

‘Intro to Mathematical Physics, Methods & Concepts’

Chun wa Wong, (OUP), *

Kinetic Theory

‘Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics’, Reif (McGraw-Hill) **

‘Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory and Statistical ‘Thermodynamics’, Sears & Salinger (Addison Wesley)* ‘Theoretical concepts in physics’, Longair (CUP)*

Quantum Mechanics

‘Quantum Mechanics’, A I M Rae (Adam Hilger)**

‘Quantum Mechanics’, S M McMurry (Addison Wesley)**

‘Quantum Physics’, Gasiorowicz (Wiley)

‘Principles of Quantum Mechanics’, Dirac (OUP)

‘The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol III’

Thermodynamics

‘Equilibrium Thermodynamics’, C Adkins, McGraw-Hill **

‘Heat and Thermodynamics’, M W Zemansky

& R H Dittman 6^th ed, (McGraw-Hill) **

Hilary Term

Electromagnetism

‘Electricity and Magnetism’, Bleaney and Bleaney (OUP)

‘Electromagnetic Fields and Waves’, Lorrain & Corson

‘Electromagnetism’, Grant and Phillips (Wiley)

‘The Feynman Lectures’, Vol II

‘Classical Electrodynamics’, J D Jackson (Wiley)

Special Relativity

‘Mr Tompkins in Paperback’, G Gamow (CUP)

‘Introduction to Special Relativity’, Rindler, (OUP) **

‘Lectures on Special Relativity’, M G Bowler, (Pergamon)

‘Introduction to theory of Relativity’, Rosser (Butterworth)

‘Special Relativity’, A P French (van Nostrand)

‘The Special Theory of Relativity’, Muirhead (Macmillan)

‘Intro to Special Relativity’, Robinson, (World Scientific)

Optics

‘Optics’, E Hecht, (Addison-Wesley) **

‘Optics’, M V Klein and Furtak, (Wiley)

‘Light’, R W Ditchburn, 3^rd Edition, (Academic Press)

‘Fundamentals of Optics’, Jenkins & White (McGraw-Hill)

‘Optics’, F G Smith and J H Thomson, (Wiley)

‘Optics’, W T Welford (OUP)

‘Principles of Optics’, M Born and E Wolf , 6^th Ed. (Pergamon)

Further Mathematical Methods

‘Intro to Mathematical Physics, Methods & Concepts’

Chun wa Wong, (OUP), *

‘Group Theory & Physics’, Sternberg (CUP) *

Functions of a Complex Variable

‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’, Boas

‘Mathematical Methods for Physicists’, Arfken

‘Complex Variables’, Spiegel

Numerical Methods

‘Numerical Methods’, Hornbeck, Prentice Hall (QPI)

‘Numerical Recipes’, William H Press (CUP)

Electromagnetism for Physics and Philosophy

‘Electromagnetic Fields and Waves’, Lorrain & Corson

‘Classical Electrodynamics’, J D Jackson (Wiley)

Theory Option: Classical Mechanics

‘Mechanics’, Landau and Lifshitz

‘Classical Mechanics’, Kibble

Trinity Term

Atomic Physics

‘Fundamentals of Modern Physics’, R M Eisberg (Wiley) *

‘Principles of Modern Physics’, Leighton (McGraw Hill) *

‘Atomic & Quantum Physics’, Haken & Wolf (Springer) **

‘Atomic Physics’, J C Willmott (Wiley)

Statistical Mechanics

‘Statistical Physics’, F. Mandl (Wiley).

‘Thermal Physics’, P. C. Riedi (Macmillan)

‘Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics’, F. Reif (McGraw-Hill)

‘Lectures on Statistical Mechanics’ M. Bowler (Pergamon)

‘Statistical Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory’,

C. E. Hecht (W. H. Freeman)

Electronics

Analogue Electronics Book List

‘A Practical Introduction to Electronic Circuits’,

Hartley-Jones 3^rd ed, (CUP)

‘Transistor Circuit Techniques’, G J Ritchie

(Van Nostrand Reinhold)

‘Electronics Circuits, Amplifiers and Gates’, D V Bugg (Adam Hilger) **

‘The Art of Electronics’, P Horowitz and W Hill (CUP) *

‘Circuits, Devices and Systems’, R J Smith (Wiley)

‘Microelectronics’ and ‘Integrated Electronics’,

Milman (et al) (Mcgraw Hill)

Digital Electronics Book List

‘Digital Circuits’, J R Nowicki and L J Adam

(Edward Arnold)

‘Digital Fundamentals’, T J Floyd (Merill)

‘Digital Logic Techniques’, T J Stonham

(Van Nostrand Reinhold)

‘The Art of Electronics’, Horowitz and Hill (Cambridge UP)

‘Circuits, Devices and Systems’, R J Smith (Wiley)

Particle and Nuclear Physics

‘Nuclear and Particle Physics’, Williams (OUP) **

‘Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics’, Das and Ferbel (Wiley) *

‘Introduction to Elementary Particles’, Griffiths (Wiley)

‘Particle Physics’, Martin and Shaw (Wiley)

‘The Cosmic Onion’, Close (Heinemann)

‘The Ideas of Particle Physics’, Coughlan and Dodd (CUP)

Theory Option: Quantum Mechanics

‘Quantum Mechanics’, Schiff (3^rd edition, McGraw-Hill)

‘Quantum Mechanics’, Merzbacher (3^rd edition, Wiley)

‘The Principles of Quantum Mechanics’, Shankar (2^nd edition, Plenum)

‘Quantum Physics’, Gasiorowicz (2^nd edition, Wiley)

Third Year

Michaelmas Term

Particle and Nuclear Physics

‘Nuclear and Particle Physics’, W S C Williams, (OUP ) **

‘Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics’,

A Das & T Ferbel (Wiley) *

Condensed Matter Physics

‘The basics of crystallography and diffraction’, C Hammond,

(OUP)

‘Introduction to Solid State Physics’ C Kittel, (Wiley) *

‘Solid State Physics’, J R Hook and H E Hall ( Wiley) *

‘The Solid State’, H M Rosenberg, (OUP) *

‘Solid State Physics’, N W Ashcroft (Saunders)

‘Solid State Physics’, G Burns (AP)

‘Solid State Physics’, H Ibach and H Luth, (Springer)

Theory Option: Statistical Mechanics

Texts used for 2^nd Year eg, ‘Statistical Physics’, F Mandl **

‘Statistical Mechanics of Phase Transitions’, J Yeomans *

‘Phase Transitions & Critical Phenomena’,

Stanley (OUP) *

‘Classical Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics’, Thompson

‘A Modern Course in Statistical Physics’, Reichl

Hilary Term

(No reading list – consolidation lectures this term)

Third Year

Trinity Term

BA Minor Options

For reading list for BA minor options, see below under Third and Fourth Year, Trinity Term, BA and MPhys Minor Options.

Fourth Year

Michaelmas and Hilary Terms

MPhys Major Options

Astrophysics Major Option

‘Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics’, Zeilik, Gregory and Smith (Saunders) *

‘Modern Astrophysics’, Ostlie and Carroll

‘Astrophysics I, II’, Bowers and Deeming (Jones and Bartlett)

‘Galactic Astronomy’, Mihalas and Binney (Freeman)

‘High Energy Astrophysics I, II’, Longair (CUP)

Atoms, Lasers and Optics Major Option

‘Lasers and Electro-Optics: Fundamentals & Engineering’,** C C Davis (CUP)

‘Principles of Lasers’,** O Svelto 3^rd ed. (Plenum)

‘Laser Fundamentals’,** W T Silfvast CUP (1996)

‘Elementary Atomic Structure’,* G K Woodgate 2^nd ed. OUP (1980)

‘Spectrophysics’, A P Thorne 2^nd ed. Chapman & Hall (1988)

‘Laser Spectroscopy’,* W Demtroder (Springer)

‘Quantum Electronics’, A Yariv (Wiley)

‘Lasers’, A Siegman (University Science Books)

‘Atomic and Laser Spectroscopy’,* A Corney (OUP)

Condensed Matter Physics Major Option

Magnetism

‘Solid State Physics’, N W Ashcroft and N D Mermin **

‘Solid State Magnetism’, J Crangle (Edward Arnold)

‘Magnetism, principles and applications’, D Craik (Wiley)

‘Theory of Magnetism’, K Yosida (Springer) 1996

Crystal Structure and Dynamics

‘Solid State Physics’, J R Hook and H E Hall, (Wiley) *

‘Solid State Physics’, G Burns (Academic Press) **

‘Introduction to Solid State Physics’, C Kittel, (Wiley) **

‘Solid State Physics’, N W Ashcroft and N D Mermin *

Particle Physics Major Option

‘Particle Physics’, Martin and Shaw

‘Nuclear and Particle Physics’, W E Burcham and Jobes **

‘Introduction to Particle Physics’, Griffiths

‘Femtophysics’, M G Bowler *

‘Introduction to High Energy Physics’, D H Perkins *

‘Experimental foundations of Particle Physics’, Cahn and Goldhabar

‘Introduction to Nuclear Physics’, W N Cottingham and D A Greenwood

Physics of Atmospheres and Oceans Major Option

‘The Physics of Atmospheres’, J T Houghton (CUP) **

‘An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology’, J R Holton (AP)

‘Atmospheres’,R M Goody & J C G Walker (Prentice Hall)

‘Fundamentals of Weather and Climate’, R McIlveen (Chapman and Hall)

‘Chemistry of Atmospheres’, R P Wayne, (OUP)

‘Physics and Chemistry of the Solar System’, Lewis (AP) *

‘Atmosphere-Ocean Dynamics’, A E Gill (AP) *

‘Fundamentals of Atmospheric Physics’, M L Salby (AP) *

‘Dynamical Meteorology - An Introductory Selection’,

B W Atkinson (Methuen)

‘Remote Sounding of Atmospheres’, J T Houghton,

F W Taylor, & C D Rodgers (CUP)

‘Fundamentals of Weather and Climate’, R McIlveen (Chapman and Hall)

‘Atmospheric Science, An Introductory Survey’,

J M Wallace and P V Hobbs (Academic Press) **

‘The New Solar System’, J K Beatty, B’ O’Leary,

A Chaikin, (CUP)

‘The Planetary System’, D Morrison, T Owen,

(Addison-Wesley)

Theoretical Physics, Major Option

Statistical Physics

‘Statistical Mechanics’, K Huang (1987)

‘Statistical Mechanics of Phase Transitions’, J M Yeomans

‘Stochastic processes in physics and chemistry’,

N G Van Kampen, North Holland

‘A modern course in statistical physics’, L E Reichl, (Arnold)

Classical Fields

‘The Classical Theory of Fields’, Landau & Lifshitz

Quantum Mechanics of Many Particle Systems

‘Quantum Mechanics’, L D Landau & E M Lifshitz

‘Methods of Quantum Field Theory in Statistical Physics’,

A A Abrikosov, L P Gorkov and I E Dzyaloshinskii

Third and Fourth Year

Trinity Term

BA and MPhys Minor Options

A. Optoelectronics

'Optoelectronics - an Introduction', J Wilson and J Hawkes (Prentice Hall) **

'Essentials of Optoelectronics - with Applications', A Rogers (Chapman & Hall) **

'Semiconductor Devices, Physics and Technology', S M Sze, (Wiley) *

'Optical Electronics in Modern Communications', A Yariv (OUP) *

C. Medical and Environmental Physics

‘Radiation and Radioactivity on Earth and beyond’, Draganic, CRC Press

‘Science-based dating in Achaeology’, Aitken (Longman)

‘Chemical Analysis by Nuclear Methods’, Alfass (Wiley)

‘Nuclear Microprobe’ , Breese, Ann. Rev. Nuclear and Particle Sci. 42 (1992)1

‘Chernobyl Ten Years On’, OECD publication.

‘Physics of Medical Diagnostic Imaging’,Webb et al

IOP (1988)

‘Digital logic techniques’, Stonham (Chapman & Hall, 3^rd ed. 1996)

E. Physics of Fluid Flows

‘Physical Fluid Dynamics, D J Tritton, (CUP) **

‘Fluid Dynamics for Physicists’, T E Faber, (CUP) **

‘Elementary Fluid Dynamics’, D J Acheson, (OUP) **

‘Waves in Fluids’, J Lighthill, (CUP) *

‘An Album of Fluid Motion’, Van Dyke (Parabolic Press) *

F. Observational Cosmology

‘Principles of Physical Cosmology’, P J E Peebles (Princeton University Press) **

‘Modern Cosmology and the Dark Matter Problem’,

D W Sciama (CUP) **

‘The Dynamic Cosmos’, M S Masden, (Chapman & Hall)

‘Introduction to Cosmology’, J V Narlikar(Jones & Bartlett)

‘Perspectives in Astrophysical Cosmology’, M Rees(CUP) *

‘Gravitation’, C W Misner, K S Thorne, J W Wheeler (Freeman)

‘Essential Relativity’, Rindler, W, (Springer-Verlag)

‘Gravitation and Cosmology’, S Weinberg, (Wiley)

G. Chaos

‘Nonlinear Dynamics & Chaos’, S H Strogatz **

(Addison Wesley)

‘The Nature of Chaos’, T Mullin (OUP)

‘The New Scientist Guide to Chaos’ (Penguin)

H. Biophysics

‘Ionic Channels of Excitable Membranes’, B Hille (2^nd ed),

‘The Physiology of Excitable Cells’, D J Aidley (2^nd ed)

I. Energy Studies

‘Renewable Energy Resources’, Twidell & Weir(E&FN Spon)

‘Energy’, Aubrecht (Prentice Hall)

‘Nuclear Energy’, Bodarsky (AIP Press)

‘Renewable Energy, Power for a Sustainable Future’, Boyle (Editor) (OUP/Open University)

‘Engineering Thermodynamics’, Rogers & Mayhew (Longman)

Physics 1: Mechanics and Special Relativity

Newton’s law of Motion. Mechanics of particles in one dimension. Energy, work and impulse. Conservation of linear momentum including problems where the mass changes, eg. the motion of a rocket ejecting fuel. Conservation of energy.

Mechanics of particles in two dimensions. Vector formulation and equations of motion in Cartesian and plane polar co-ordinates. Projectiles moving under gravity, including such motion subject to a damping force proportional to velocity.

Torque and angular momentum. Conservation of angular momentum. Inverse square central forces. Classification of orbits as bound or unbound. Examples of planetary and satellite motion (derivation of equation for u=1/r not required; explicit treatment of hyperbolae and ellipses not required). Rutherford scattering (calculation of the cross-section not required).

Systems of point particles. Centre of mass (or momentum) frame and its uses.

Moment of inertia of a system of particles. Use of perpendicular and parallel-axis theorems. Moment of inertia of simple bodies (the formula for any moment of inertia will be given). Solution of simple dynamical problems involving rotations about a fixed axis.

Vibrations of mechanical systems including vibrations with damping, and including vibrations with a forcing term, but restricted to one variable other than time, resonance and Q-factor. Critical damping. Compound pendulum.

Special theory of relativity restricted throughout to problems in one space dimension. The constancy of the speed of light; simultaneity. The Lorentz transformation (derivation not required). Time dilation and length contraction. The addition of velocities. Invariance of the space-time interval. Energy, momentum, rest mass and their relationship for a single particle. Conservation of energy and momentum (transformation not required). Elementary kinematics of the scattering and decay of sub-atomic particles, including the photon. Relativistic Doppler effect is excluded.

Physics 2: Waves, Optics and Quantum Physics

Physical characteristics of optical wave motion in one dimension: amplitude, phase, frequency, wavelength, wave number, wave vector, velocity. Superposition of two waves of different frequencies: beats and elementary discussion of construction of wave packets; qualitative discussion of dispersive media; relations for phase and group velocities. Refractive index and optical path length.

Elementary geometrical optics: reflection and refraction at plane boundary; total internal reflection; deviation by a prism. Reflection and refraction at a spherical boundary. Image formation by concave mirror and by converging and diverging thin lenses. The magnifying lens; simple astronomical telescope consisting of two convex lenses; simple reflecting telescope.

Wave Optics: simple two slit interference (restricted to slits of negligible width). The diffraction grating, its experimental arrangement; conditions for proper illumination. The dispersion of a diffraction grating. (The multiple slit interference pattern and the resolution of a diffraction grating are excluded.) Two beam interference by division of amplitude: including simple discussion of the standard Michelson interferometer (and excluding the Michelson stellar interferometer). Fraunhofer diffraction by a single slit: including experimental arrangements; application to resolution of a single lens.

Limitations of classical physics: qualitative discussion of the problem of the stability of the nuclear atom; photo-electric effect; Franck-Hertz experiment and the existence of energy levels. Experimental evidence for wave-particle duality; X-ray diffraction and Bragg law; Compton scattering (derivation of the Compton formula not required); electron and neutron diffraction. Einstein and de Broglie’s relations (E=hv, p=h/l).

Quantum interference and the two slit experiment. Comparison with classical optics and classical mechanics. The concept of the wave-function as a probability amplitude and the probabilistic interpretation of |y(x)|². Plane wave solutions of the one-dimensional time dependent Schrödinger equation for a particle in free space and elementary derivation of the phase and group velocities (quantitative discussion of wave packets is not required). Heuristic treatment based on position and momentum operators and energy conservation.

The position-momentum uncertainty relation and simple consequences. Qualitative wave mechanical understanding of the size and stability of the hydrogen atom.

Quantisation as an eigenvalue problem, illustrated by solutions in an infinite square well and by qualitative treatment of the finite well. Reflection and transmission at potential steps. Qualitative treatment of barrier penetration for simple rectangular barriers. Simple examples and comparison with classical mechanics

Physics 3: Electromagnetism

Scope: The treatment is restricted to linear, homogeneous isotropic media, and excludes electromagnetic waves. A knowledge of vector operators will not be required.

Electrostatics in vacuo: Coulomb’s law and its experimental basis. Electric field and potential due to a charge and to a system of charges. The electric dipole; its electric field and potential. The couple and force on, and the energy of, a dipole in an external electric field. Energy of a system of charges; energy stored in an electric field. Gauss’ Law in integral form; field and potential due to surface and volume distributions of charge. Force on a conductor. The capacitance of parallel plate, cylindrical and spherical capacitors.

Electrostatics in the presence of dielectric media: Modification to Gauss’ Law: polarization, the electric displacement, relative permittivity. Capacitance and energy in the presence of dielectric media.

Magnetic effects in the absence of magnetic media: The B-field. Steady currents: the B-field set up by a current; the Biot-Savart Law. The force on a current and on moving charges in a B-field. The magnetic dipole; its B-field. The force and couple on, and the energy of, a dipole in an external B-field. Energy stored in a B-field . Gauss’ Law in integral form. Simple cases of the motion of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields.

Magnetic media: Magnetization, the H-field, magnetic permeability. Ampère’s Law in integral form. Energy in the presence of magnetic media. The electromagnet. Questions on magnetic media involving non-uniform fields will not be set.

Electromagnetic induction: The laws of Faraday and Lenz. Self and mutual inductance: calculation for simple circuits. The transformer.

Circuits: Growth and decay of currents in LCR circuits. AC theory; the use of complex impedance in circuit analysis under steady state conditions. The quality factor Q of a circuit.

Mathematics: 1

Functions of one variable: Elementary ideas of sequences, series, limits and convergence. (Questions on determining the convergence or otherwise of a series will not be set). Taylor and MacLaurin series and their application to the local approximation of a function by a polynomial and to finding limits. (Knowledge of and use of the exact form of the remainder are excluded.) Differentiation of functions of one variable including function of a function and implicit differentiation; changing variables in a differential equation, Leibniz’s theorem. Integration including the methods of integration by parts and by change of variable, though only simple uses of these techniques will be required, such as òxsinxdx and òxexp(-x²)dx. The relation between integration and differentiation, i.e. ò_a^b dx(df/dx) and d/dx(ò_a^x dx´f(x´)).

Vectors: Vector algebra, scalar and vector products, triple products. Elementary vector geometry of lines and planes.

Time dependent vectors and differentiation of vectors, simple applications to mechanics.

Differential calculus of functions of more than one variable: Functions of two variables as surfaces. Partial differentiation, chain rule and differentials and their use to evaluate small changes. Simple transformations of first order coefficients (questions on transformations of higher order coefficients are excluded). Taylor expansion for two variables, maxima, minima and saddle points of functions of two variables. Lagrange multipliers for stationary points of functions of two variables.

Multiple integrals and vector analysis: Double Integrals and their evaluation by repeated integration in Cartesian, plane polar and other specified coordinate systems. Jacobians. Line, surface and volume integrals, evaluation by change of variables (Cartesian, plane polar, spherical polar coordinates and cylindrical coordinates only unless the transformation to be used is specified). Integrals around closed curves and exact differentials. Green’s theorem in the plane. Scalar and vector fields. The operations of grad, div and curl and understanding and use of identities involving these. The statements of the theorems of Gauss, Green and Stokes with simple applications. Conservative fields.

Mathematics: 2

Linearity and its importance in physics. Complex algebra: Complex numbers, definitions and operations. The Argand diagram; modulus and argument (phase) and their geometric interpretation; curves in the Argand diagram. De Moivre’s theorem and its applications to evaluation of the roots of unity, to the solution of polynomial equations and to the summation of series of sines and cosines. Elementary functions (polynomial, trigonometric, exponential, hyperbolic, logarithmic) of a complex variable. (Complex transformations and complex differentiation and integration are excluded.)

Matrices: Elementary properties (addition, multiplication, inverse) of two- and three- dimensional matrices. Determinants: minors, cofactors, evaluation by row and column manipulation. Application of matrix methods to the solution of simultaneous linear equations; cases in which solutions are unique, non-unique or do not exist; geometric interpretation of these cases. Linear independence.

Ordinary differential equations: Classification and terminology. Linear homogeneous differential equations and superposition. First order linear differential equations; integrating factors. Second order linear differential equations with constant coefficients; complementary functions and particular integrals; applications to damped and forced vibrations and to complex impedance in AC circuits. Simultaneous linear differential equations: solutions by elimination and by a suitable choice of coordinates.

Normal modes: Coupled undamped oscillations in systems with two degrees of freedom. Normal frequencies, and amplitude ratios in normal modes. General solution (for two coupled oscillators) as a superposition of modes. Total energy, and individual mode energies.

The one dimensional wave equation: Derivation, and application to transverse waves on a stretched string. Characteristics of wave motion: amplitude, phase, frequency, wavelength, wavenumber, wave vector, phase velocity. Modes of a string with fixed end points (standing waves); general solution as a superposition of modes. Energy in a vibrating string. Travelling waves: energy, power, impedance, reflection and transmission at a boundary.

Fourier series: General series with both sine and cosine functions. Formulae for the Fourier coefficients. Full-range and half-range series, even and odd functions. Discontinuities; summation of series; integration and differentiation of Fourier series. (Questions on Parseval’s theorem will not be set.)

Partial differential equations in two independent variables: Method of separation of variables for the one-dimensional wave equation; separation constants; boundary and initial conditions. Method of separation of variables for Laplace’s equation in two dimensions, using Cartesian and polar coordinates. Solution of boundary and initial value problems using Fourier series.

Astronomy

The solar system: dimensions and dynamics; the celestial sphere; stellar parallax and stellar abberation; precession of the equinoxes.

The electromagnetic spectrum: basic principles of continuous and line spectra.

Astronomical instrumentation: physical principles of telescopes, interferometers, spectrographs, and detectors.

The Sun, a typical star: features of the quiet Sun and active Sun.

Stars in general: observable properties of single and multiple systems: spectral classification; the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram; elementary physics of stellar atmospheres and interiors; stellar evolution; degenerate, variable, and violent stars.

The interstellar medium: properties of gas and dust; the effect of dust on distance determinations; molecules and masers.

The Galaxy: components of the Galaxy: stellar populations and stellar motions: differential galactic rotation. Mass and distance estimates.

External galaxies: characteristics of normal and active galaxies. The extra galactic distance scale; red shift-distance relationship; missing mass; gravitational lensing.

Introduction to Cosmology: large scale structure of the Universe; the cosmic microwave background; the standard Big-Bang model.

Mathematical Physics

Functions of a complex variable. Analytic functions, and simple applications of the Cauchy-Riemann relations. Calculus of residues. The Fourier and Laplace transforms, including the evaluations of inverses by contour integrations, with simple applications.

Solution of ordinary differential equations by series. Partial differential equations, including the Laplace, diffusion, wave and Schrödinger in Cartesian, spherical polar, and cylindrical co-ordinates. Solutions by separation of variables. Initial and boundary value problems, including eigenvalue problems. Simple ideas of orthonormal sets of functions and eigenfunction expansions. Simple physical applications to gravitation, electrostatics, heat conduction, hydrodynamics and vibrations in a continuous medium.

General

Candidates will be expected to possess a general understanding of the macroscopic behaviour and phenomenological description of the properties of matter in bulk and to have such knowledge of chemistry and mathematics as is required to study the subjects of the examination. A knowledge of the topics in the syllabuses for the Physical Sciences Preliminary examination papers: Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2, Physics 1 and Physics 3 will be assumed.

Incidental use may be required on any paper of the following material: simple physical applications of the following topics. (The physics will be restricted to topics occurring elsewhere in the syllabuses.) Wave packets, phase and group velocity; the inverse proportionality between the widths of a function and its Fourier Transform and uncertainty relations; the formulae for the Fourier transform and its inverse and for Fourier sine and cosine transforms and their inverses. Use of the convolution theorem for Fourier transforms (proof excluded). (All transforms are restricted to one dimension only. The use of transforms in solving ordinary and partial differential equations and the use of contour integration are excluded).

Emphasis in the papers on the fundamental principles of physics will be placed on testing the candidates’ conceptual and experimental understanding of the subjects, apart from the mathematical questions.

A1 Thermal Physics and Mathematics

Kinetic Theory: Maxwell distribution of velocities: derivation assuming the Boltzmann factor, calculation of averages, experimental verification. Derivation of pressure and effusion formulae, distribution of velocities in an effusing beam, simple kinetic theory expressions for mean free path, thermal conductivity and viscosity; dependence on temperature and pressure, limits of validity. Principles of measurement of viscosity of gases.

Statistical mechanics of classical systems: Partition function and its relation to thermodynamic functions. Boltzmann factor (derivation not required). Density of states. Simple applications including ideal paramagnet, simple harmonic oscillator, perfect gas, rotational and vibrational contributions to the heat capacity of diatomic gases (homonuclear molecules are excluded), equipartition of energy.

Statistical mechanics of quantum systems: The effect of indistinguishability on particle statistics. Qualitative understanding of the relation between spin and statistics, fermions and bosons. Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distribution functions for non-interacting, indistinguishable particles (proof not required, except for zero chemical potential). Chemical potential, classical limit. Black-body radiation; proof of Planck's frequency distribution and Stefan-Boltzmann law. Simple treatment of Fermi systems e.g. electrons in metals, Fermi energy.

Conduction: Thermal conduction as a phenomenon that is described by a second-order partial differential equation

(‘heat-conduction equation’). Derivation and solutions of this differential equation involving dependences on time and one space coordinate; thermal waves in solids. Steady-state solutions of the one-dimensional heat-conduction equation, including those where heat is generated within a body and is conducted away. Mechanisms for heat transfer: conduction, convection, radiation; Newton's law of cooling.

Zeroth and First laws of thermodynamics: Thermodynamic equilibrium. Zeroth law. First law; internal energy as an example of a function of state, heat capacities. Form of the first law for a gas. Equation of state for ideal and simple non-ideal (including van der Waals) gases.

Second law of thermodynamics: Kelvin’s and Clausius’s statements of the second law. Heat engines, Carnot cycles and Carnot's theorem. Simple calculations for ideal heat engines. Reasons for failure of real engines to achieve maximum efficiency. Thermodynamic temperature scale, equivalence to ideal gas scale. Clausius' theorem. Definition of entropy. Proof that entropy is a function of state. Reversible and irreversible processes and associated changes in entropy.

Thermodynamic functions: Helmholtz free energy, Gibbs free energy and enthalpy. Relevance to defining equilibrium and the direction of thermodynamic changes. Maxwell relations. Joule expansion, Joule-Kelvin expansion and the principles of the liquefaction of gases; inversion temperature. Thermodynamics of black-body radiation, emissivity and absorptivity.

Phase changes: First-order phase changes. Proof of conditions for the equilibrium of a two-phase system. Clausius-Clapeyron equation, proof and simple applications.

Mathematics: Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of second-order linear ordinary differential equations of the Sturm-Liouville type; simple examples of orthogonality of eigenfunctions belonging to different eigenvalues; simple eigenfunction expansions. The method of separation of variables in linear partial differential equations in three and four variables. Use of Cartesian, spherical polar and cylindrical polar coordinates (proofs of the form of Ñ² will not be required). Elementary treatment of series solutions of linear, homogeneous second order differential equations, including solutions which terminate as a finite polynomial. (Formal questions of convergence are excluded, as is the method of Frobenius for obtaining a second solution containing a logarithmic function in the case in which the roots of the indicial equation differ by an integer.)

A2 Electromagnetism and Optics

Fundamental laws of electromagnetism: Electric and magnetic fields and their relation to time-dependent charge and current distributions via Coulomb’s, Faraday’s and Ampère’s laws. Treatment of electrostatic problems by solution of Poisson’s equation using separation of variables in Cartesian, cylindrical or spherical coordinate systems. Motion of charged particles in simple configurations of electric and magnetic fields. Maxwell’s introduction of the displacement current. Maxwell’s equations in free space. Representation of curl-free magnetic fields by a magnetic scalar potential.

Dielectric and magnetic media: Dielectric media, polarisation density and the electric displacement, D. Dielectric permittivity and susceptibility. Boundary conditions on E and D at an interface between two dielectrics. Magnetic media, magnetisation density and the magnetic field strength, H. Magnetic permeability and susceptibility; properties of magnetic materials as represented by hysteresis curves. Boundary conditions on B and H at an interface between two magnetic media. Maxwell’s equations in the presence of dielectric and magnetic media.

Electromagnetic waves in free space: Derivation of the electromagnetic wave equation in free space from Maxwell’s equations. Plane wave solutions. The speed of light and the impedance of free space in terms of e₀ and m₀. Derivation of expressions for the energy density and energy flux (Poynting vector) in an electromagnetic field. Radiation pressure.

Electromagnetic waves in media: Electromagnetic wave equation in dielectrics: refractive index and impedance of the medium. Reflection and transmission of light at a plane interface between two dielectric media: derivation of the Fresnel equations for the reflection and transmission coefficients from Maxwell’s equations. Single and multiple ^l/₄ coatings for normally incident light. The Brewster angle. The electromagnetic wave equation in a conductor: skin depth. Electromagnetic waves in a collisionless plasma; the plasma frequency. Scattering, dispersion and absorption of electromagnetic waves, treated in terms of the response of a damped classical harmonic oscillator.

Transmission lines: Theory of a loss-free transmission line: characteristic impedance and wave speed. Reflection and transmission of signals at connections between transmission lines and at loads; impedance matching using a quarter-wavelength transmission line.

Diffraction, and interference by division of wave-front (quasi-monochromatic light): Questions on diffraction will be limited to the Fraunhofer case. Statement of the Fraunhofer condition. Practical importance of Fraunhofer diffraction and experimental arrangements for its observation. Derivation of patterns for multiple slits and the rectangular aperture using Huygens-Fresnel theory with a scalar amplitude and neglecting obliquity factors. (The assumptions involved in this theory will not be asked for.) The resolving power of a telescope. Fourier transforms in Fraunhofer diffraction: the decomposition of a screen transmission function with simple periodic structure into its spatial frequency components. Spatial filtering. The Gaussian function and apodization. The resolving power of a microscope with coherent illumination. Young’s interference experiment; effects of source size and bandwidth of light. Experimental arrangement.

Interference by division of amplitude (quasi-monochromatic light): Two-beam interference, restricted to the limiting cases of fringes of equal thickness and of equal inclination. Qualitative understanding of fringe localisation. The Michelson interferometer, experimental detail, adjustment. Multiple-beam interference - the Fabry-Perot etalon, derivation of the pattern; definition of finesse.

Spectroscopic devices: Basic methods of spectroscopy in the visible, and the factors governing the choice of technique. Resolving power; its theoretical estimation and experimental measurement for the grating, Fourier Transform spectrometer and etalon. The grating spectrograph; details of particular mountings (e.g. Czerny-Turner, Littrow) will not be required. Dispersion, calibration, the effect of finite slit width. The principle of the blazed grating (qualitative only). The Fourier Transform spectrometer: basic experimental arrangement, analysis of interferograms for the case of one or two spectral lines which may have finite spectral width of Gaussian form. The Fabry-Perot etalon in spectroscopy; choice of spacing and reflectivity. Experimental arrangement for pressure-scanning and visual/photographic use. Reduction of data. The interference filter based on the etalon.

Polarization: Distinction between completely polarized, partially polarized and unpolarized light. Phenomenological understanding of birefringence; principles of the use of uniaxial crystals in practical polarizers, compensators and wave plates (detailed knowledge of individual devices will not be required). Production and analysis of completely polarized light. Practical applications of polarized light. The polarimeter. The interference of polarized light; conditions for observation.

Energy flow through optical systems: Dependence of the power per unit area in an image on such parameters as the focal lengths of lenses, aperture dimensions, source size. Correct illumination and alignment of practical optical systems.

A3 Quantum Mechanics and Atomic Physics

Topics on quantum mechanics not listed may be examined if they can be treated using the principles listed below.

Wave-particle duality and quantisation: Evidence for wave and particle nature of light and matter; Planck’s and de Broglie’s formulae. The Heisenberg uncertainty principle and the Pauli exclusion principle. Quantization of energy and angular momentum. Directional quantisation in external fields – the principle of the Stern-Gerlach experiment.

Schrödinger equation: Time-dependent and time-independent Schrödinger equation for one particle and relative motion of two particles; plane waves; wavepackets in position and momentum space (time-dependence is excluded); relation to Uncertainty Principle. Probability density and probability current density (derivation of formula for probability current density required); reflection and transmission of plane waves at potential barriers in one dimension. Properties of the solutions to the Schrödinger equation for the harmonic oscillator in Cartesian co-ordinates. Solutions for the cubical box. Degeneracy. Qualitative understanding of the solutions for a finite well. Central potentials, basic properties of radial wavefunctions; orbital angular momentum, including l=0 and 1 spherical harmonics operators, commutation relations, quantum numbers and parity. (Knowledge of the properties of ladder operators will not be assumed.)

Postulates of quantum mechanics: Postulates; operators (relevance of Hermitian operators); eigenvalues, expectation values and measurements. (Knowledge of matrix representations will not be assumed). Commutators, simultaneous eigenfunctions and compatibility of measurements. Possible results of a measurement and their probabilities; the wavefunction before and after measurement.

Perturbation theory: First-order, time-independent, non-degenerate perturbation theory. Proof of change in energy. Variational principle, proof and simple one-dimensional examples. The formula (Fermi golden rule) for transition probabilities - proof not required.

Structure of simple atoms: Non-relativistic expressions for the energy levels of hydrogen and other two-body systems, including reduced mass. The vector model; the concept of good quantum numbers as constants of the motion. Vector model calculation of spin-orbit interaction in hydrogen (derivation of Thomas precession not required), qualitative understanding of relativistic mass correction. The central field model; quantum numbers for individual electron states; the configuration. The Periodic Table; basic chemical and physical properties associated with filled and unfilled shells. The alkalis: gross and fine structure; the quantum defect. Quantum numbers for atomic states. Magnetic hyperfine structure; the Interval Rule in hyperfine structure; spectroscopic determination of nuclear spin.

Radiation: Selection rules for electric dipole radiation based on simple arguments. Relation between change in magnetic quantum number and polarization of the radiation. Einstein A and B coefficients; derivation of the relations between them.

Complex atoms, X-rays and lasers: Atoms with two valence electrons; electrostatic and magnetic perturbations to energy levels, LS coupling and the Interval Rule. Symmetry of two-electron wave functions, singlet and triplet states. X-rays: emission, simple formulae for characteristic wavelengths, Moseley plot, absorption spectra. Qualitative understanding of fine structure. Auger effect. Basic techniques for the production and detection of X-rays; the crystal spectrometer. The principle of operation of the laser; simple rate equation calculation of laser oscillation condition.

Atoms in magnetic fields: Normal and Anomalous Zeeman effects; vector model calculation of Landé g-factor in LS coupling. The relative intensities of Zeeman components are not required. The Zeeman effect in hyperfine structure is not required.

Atomic spectra: Methods of obtaining emission and absorption spectra using a grating spectrograph, their calibration and interpretation in terms of energy levels. Width and shape of spectral lines: calculation of Doppler broadening, estimates of natural and collisional broadening. Measurement of Zeeman and hyperfine patterns using optical high resolution techniques.

A4 Condensed Matter and Electronics

Simple ideas of crystalline structure: The meaning of lattice and basis, Bravais lattice, unit cell, primitive unit cell, lattice planes and Miller indices. Wigner-Seitz cell, reciprocal lattice and Brillouin zones in one and two dimensions. Knowledge of monoatomic simple cubic, CsCl, monoatomic b.c.c. and monoatomic f.c.c structures only will be assumed.

X-ray determination of lattice constant for cubic structures: The principles of Laue, rotating crystal and powder diffraction measurements. The Bragg law of diffraction. Separation of crystal planes defined by Miller indices in cubic crystals only. Calculation of structure factors and the use of the powder method to determine crystal structures and lattice constants for crystals with monoatomic simple cubic, CsCl, monoatomic b.c.c and monoatomic f.c.c structures.

Interatomic forces: Qualitative understanding of ionic, metallic, covalent, van der Waals and hydrogen bonding including the Madelung constant and the Lennard-Jones potential. Calculations of binding energies and the equilibrium separation of atoms/ions given an interaction potential.

Lattice vibrations: Calculation of the dispersion of lattice vibrations (one-dimensional monoatomic systems only). Group velocity and density of states. Quantization of vibrational energy (phonons) and its implications for heat capacities. Einstein and Debye models. The principles of inelastic scattering experiments which measure phonon dispersion curves (including wavevector and energy conservation laws).

Free electron theory of metals: The free electron theory of metals. Electron density of states, Fermi energy, Fermi surface. Simple treatment of electrical conductivity and Ohm’s law. Electronic heat capacity and electronic contribution to the thermal conductivity of metals. The principles of the experimental determination of the mobility and mean free path of a metal (from its carrier density and conductivity), and of the density of states at the Fermi level (from measurement of low-temperature heat capacity).

Simple ideas of electron energy band structure: The nearly free electron model: changes to the electron dispersion curve and Fermi surface (one- and two-dimensional systems only) and the existence of band gaps as a consequence of a periodic potential. The distinction between metals, semiconductors and insulators.

Elementary properties of intrinsic and impurity semiconductors: Band structure of direct and indirect bandgap semiconductors (knowledge of the qualitative features of the conduction band structures near the band edge in Si, Ge, GaAs only will be assumed; knowledge of the positions of finite-wavevector conduction band minima in reciprocal space will not be required). The effect of these band structures on optical absorption and on the motion of particles: effective mass and holes. Temperature dependence of carrier concentration (parabolic bands only); law of mass action. Knowledge of the scale of impurity binding energies and temperature-dependence of thermal ionisation of donors and acceptors (calculation of the ionisation state of impurity levels will not be required). Mobility and Hall effect in systems with one dominant carrier type. The current characteristics of the p-n junction. The principles of experiments which determine the band gap (from the temperature dependence of conductivity or Hall resistance), direct band gap (from the optical absorption spectrum), sign and concentration of the majority carrier (Hall effect) and mobility of the majority carrier (Hall resistance and conductivity).

Magnetic properties of solids: Larmor diamagnetism. The paramagnetic susceptibility of atoms/ions with a permanent magnetic moment: the Brillouin function, Curie’s Law. Application of Hund’s rules and the quenching of orbital angular momentum. Free electron theory of paramagnetism in metal. The origin of exchange interactions. Simple molecular field theory of ferromagnetism. Ferromagnetic domains; qualitative description of boundaries between domains. The principles of the measurement of magnetic order by neutron scattering. Magnetic resonance of electrons and nuclei; principles of experimental techniques employed.

Simple ideas of Type I superconductivity: Experimental evidence for the superconducting state. The Meissner effect, perfect diamagnetism, the origin of superconductivity in a coherent paired electron state, flux quantization.

Diodes and bipolar transistors: Diode characteristics. Half and full wave rectifier circuits. Characteristics of the npn and pnp junction transistor. Definition and calculation of mutual conductance, current and voltage gains, input and output impedances. Virtual earths. Bipolar transistors in common emitter, common collector, common base and long tailed pair configurations. Biasing a transistor and calculation of quiescent conditions. Coupling and bypass capacitors. The DC and small signal analysis of circuits containing up to two bipolar transistors. High frequency effects in semiconductor devices are excluded.

Feedback and operational amplifiers: The definition of positive and negative feedback. Series and shunt feedback. The use of operational amplifiers. Integrator, differentiator, logarithmic, exponentiator and summing circuits. Filter circuits. The comparator and Schmitt trigger. The Wien bridge and simple phase shift oscillators.

Digital electronics: Binary numbers and arithmetic. BCD and Gray code. Boolean algebra. Manipulation of logic expressions using De Morgan’s laws. Truth tables and Karnaugh maps. Analysis and design of simple combinatorial logic circuits using ideal AND, OR, NOT, NOR, and NAND gates. The XOR gate. The half adder and full adder circuits. Subtracting using two’s complement. Memory elements (flip-flops) constructed from NAND or NOR gates. The properties of S-R, D-type and J-K flip-flops. The shift register. The binary counter. A knowledge of synchronous and asynchronous operation. Analysis and design of simple sequential logic circuits incorporating flip-flops. Simple error checking codes in digital transmission.

A5 Special Relativity, Sub-Atomic Physics and Mathematics

Experimental basis for the special theory of relativity: The principles of the Michelson-Morley experiment; energy and momentum measurements in particle physics; the Doppler shifts of atomic spectra observed in astrophysics; time dilation in the decays of relativistic particles.

Lorentz transformation and four-vectors: The postulates of special relativity; concept of an inertial frame; covariance. The Lorentz transformation; its derivation and use in elementary problems in mechanics and optics; the concept of a four-vector. Proper time; the light cone; time-like and space-like intervals; the four-velocity.

Relativistic mechanics and photons: The four-momentum. The transformation of energy, momentum and angles. Energy and momentum for systems of particles in the centre of mass and other frames; invariant mass; threshold energies. The application of conservation laws and invariants to simple problems; Doppler effect and Compton scattering. (Problems will not require the explicit use of four-vectors.)

Nuclear stability, shell model and beta decay: The size of nuclei. Semi-empirical mass formula and nuclear stability; b⁺, b^-, EC, a and fission decay. Radioactivity; simple applications. The single-particle shell model; spin and parity of nuclear states. Fermi theory of allowed beta decay; the effect of kinematics on 2-body and 3-body weak processes; for example, the relationship between n+n®p+e^- and n® p + e^-+_`n .

Resonances, fission and fusion: The concept of cross section; qualitative treatment of resonances, including the energy dependence of the Breit-Wigner formula and the concept of partial widths. The principles of energy generation in fission reactors, including neutron moderation and beta-delayed neutrons. Fusion reactions in stars; the p-p and CNO cycles.

Energy loss of particles and photons: Qualitative treatment of the interaction of charged particles and photons with matter: ionisation energy loss, the Compton and photoelectric effect, pair-production and bremsstrahlung; the physical principles involved in the detection of charged particles and photons.

Fundamental interactions and the quark model: The strong, electromagnetic and weak interactions; concept of virtual particle exchange; coupling constants; conservation laws; particles and anti-particles. The quark model; spin, parity and charge of hadrons; the quark flavours; heavy quark-antiquark systems. Evidence for quarks and colour; the ratio R of hadron to m⁺m^- production in e⁺ e^-annihilation.

Weak interactions and parity violation: Electron, muon and tau lepton; neutrinos; identification of different types. Parity violation in weak interactions. The production and decay of the W and Z bosons; the width of the Z and the number of neutrino types.

The production and decay of particles: Quark flow diagrams. The basic components of a generic collider detector; the identification of muons, hadrons, electrons and photons. (Details of accelerators and detectors are not required.)

Mathematics: Matrices and linear transformations, including translations and rotations in three dimensions and Lorentz transformations in four dimensions. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of real symmetric matrices and of Hermitian matrices. Diagonalization of real symmetric matrices with distinct eigenvalues.

Theoretical physics (‘The Theory Option’)

A knowledge of the relevant topics in the A-paper syllabuses will be assumed.

Section A – Classical Mechanics: The calculus of variations for functions of one variable and application to Hamilton’s Principle. Lagrange’s and Hamilton’s equations with applications to simple systems with few degrees of freedom, but excluding continuous systems. The relationship between different formulations of classical mechanics (Hamilton-Jacobi excluded). Normal modes and coordinates from Lagrangians: matrix formulation and solution for general kinetic energy and potential energy matrices; condition of stability of quadratic systems. Symmetries and conservation laws in Lagrangian mechanics; Poisson brackets and symmetries and conservation laws in Hamiltonian mechanics. (Canonical transformations are excluded.)

Section B – Quantum Mechanics: State vectors, bra and ket notation; simple ideas of representations; Quantum mechanics of finite systems: application of concepts on A3-paper syllabus, change of basis, physical examples. First and second order time-independent perturbation theory (including the degenerate case); first order time-dependent perturbation theory (proofs of formulae are required). Solution of problems in coordinate and matrix representations. Hamiltonian for a non-relativistic particle in an external classical electromagnetic field; physical identification of terms. Operator methods for the simple harmonic oscillator and for angular momentum. Matrix representations of angular momentum, including in particular the Pauli spin matrix formalism for spin-½ particles. Wave functions for two identical particles of spin-0 and spin-½ ; the forms of spin wave functions for S=0 and S=1.

Section C – Statistical Mechanics: The ensemble formulation of statistical mechanics: partition functions as generating functions, and contacts with thermodynamics. The microcanonical, canonical and grand canonical ensembles and examples of the use of each. Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics, and the derivation of the distributions for non-interacting particles. Boltzmann distribution and classical gas partition function as a limiting case. Questions involving the mutual interaction of gas molecules will not be set. Bose-Einstein condensation. Treatment of fluctuations of macroscopic and microscopic variables. The one-dimensional Ising model and other one-dimensional models mathematically equivalent to it: solutions in zero field only. (Transfer matrices not required.)

General

Fundamental Principles I: Quantum Mechanics and Atomic Physics

Topics on quantum mechanics not listed may be examined if they can be treated using the principles listed below.

Fundamental Principles II: Special Relativity, Sub-Atomic Physics and Mathematics

Weak interactions and parity violation: Electron, muon and tau lepton; neutrinos; identification of different types. Parity violation in weak interactions. The production and decay of the W and Z bosons; the width of the Z and the number of neutrino types.

The production and decay of particles: Quark flow diagrams. The basic components of a generic collider detector; the identification of muons, hadrons, electrons and photons. (Details of accelerators and detectors are not required.)

Mathematics: Matrices and linear transformations, including translations and rotations in three dimensions and Lorentz transformations in four dimensions. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of real symmetric matrices and of Hermitian matrices. Diagonalization of real symmetric matrices with distinct eigenvalues.

Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of second-order linear ordinary differential equations of the Sturm-Liouville type; simple examples of orthogonality of eigenfunctions belonging to different eigenvalues; simple eigenfunction expansions. The method of separation of variables in linear partial differential equations in three and four variables. Use of Cartesian, spherical polar and cylindrical polar coordinates (proofs of the form of Ñ² will not be required). Elementary treatment of series solutions of linear, homogeneous second order differential equations, including solutions which terminate as a finite polynomial. (Formal questions of convergence are excluded, as is the method of Frobenius for obtaining a second solution containing a logarithmic function in the case in which the roots of the indicial equation differ by an integer.)

Theoretical Physics

A knowledge of the relevant topics in the A-paper syllabuses will be assumed.

1. Astrophysics

Stellar physics. Theory of stellar photospheres; continuous and absorption-line spectra; chromospheres and coronae; emission-line formation; physics of stellar interiors; structure of main-sequence stars; post-main-sequence evolution; degenerate stars; supernovae.

Normal galaxies. Components and kinematics of our own Galaxy; galaxy morphology; rotation curves and dark halos; mass estimates; gravitational lensing.

High-energy astrophysics: basic physics of interactions between high energy particles and radiation; interacting binary stellar systems, black holes; active galactic nuclei and relativistic jets.

2. Atoms, Lasers and Optics

The option includes the essential features of experimental techniques and important practical considerations in addition to theoretical concepts. A knowledge of atomic physics at the level of the A-papers is assumed e.g. the Normal and Anomalous Zeeman effect.

Atoms:

Atomic and molecular spectra and structure:

Hydrogen and hydrogen-like systems, alkali atoms, helium and atoms with two electrons outside closed shells. Diatomic molecules. Selection rules and techniques of spectroscopy.

Atomic and molecular spectroscopy and manipulation of atoms:

Homonuclear molecules. Hyperfine structure including effects of external magnetic fields. Optical pumping. Doppler-free laser spectroscopy. Laser cooling and trapping of atoms and ions.

Lasers:

The theory of the laser with some important examples of gas and solid-state lasers:

Einstein A and B coefficients for the treatment of the interaction of radiation and atoms. Linewidths and lineshapes. Amplification by stimulated emission and the laser oscillator. Cavity effects. Gas lasers (He-Ne, He-Cd+, argon-ion and copper vapours). Solid state lasers (ruby and Nd:YAG).

Survey of laser systems:

High power infrared molecular lasers. Lasers operating in the ultraviolet. Dye lasers. Semiconductor lasers. Diode pumped solid-state lasers. Use of lasers in chemical physics.

Optics:

Diffraction and other phenomena related to lasers:

Fourier transforms. Gaussian beams and their propagation. Cavity eigenfunctions. Electro-optic effect. Second harmonic generation.

Advanced optics:

Coherence. Holography. Nonlinear optics (third-order effects in atoms and molecules and their applications).

3. Condensed Matter Physics

Crystal structures. Reciprocal lattices, Brillouin zones. Structure determination - X-ray, neutron and electron diffraction. Symmetry.

Acoustic and optic phonons: measurements of phonon dispersion. Anharmonicity: thermal properties. Structural phase changes.

Electrons in a periodic potential. Band gaps: electron dispersion: effective mass. Fermi surfaces. Semiconductors. Transport of heat and electrical current in metals and semiconductors. Landau Quantisation. Low dimensional structures.

Interband optical transitions and excitons. Plasmons. Infra-red absorption/reflectivity and Raman scattering from phonons. Nonlinear optical properties. Applications.

Diamagnetism. Crystal field theory: paramagnetism. Magnetic ordering and phase transitions. Low dimensional magnetism. Spin waves. Magnetic resonance. Critical phenomena. Domains. Applications.

Conventional, organic and high T_c superconductors: thermodynamics, London and BCS theories. Josephson effects. Applications.

No more than one question may be set on experimental work performed as part of this subject.

4. Particle Physics

Experimental Techniques. Physics of accelerators. Colliders and fixed targets. Event rates and luminosity. Triggers and signal and background processes. Physics of particle detectors. Applications to real experiments. Wire chambers, silicon detectors, calorimeters and muon chambers.

Quark structure of hadrons. Deep inelastic scattering, the quark-parton model and QCD. Light hadron masses, magnetic moments and EM decays. Heavy quark states.

Theoretical Principles. Breit-Wigner resonance. Elementary introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics. Matrix elements. Discrete and continuous symmetries. Applications of gauge symmetries.

Applications to the Standard Model. Charged current (CC) weak interactions. V-A theory. Universality of CC and 4 component neutrino theory. Neutral current weak interactions. Oscillations in the K^o and B° system. Discovery of the top quark. Electroweak symmetry breaking. The Z resonance and number of neutrino species.

5. Physics of Atmospheres and Oceans

Structure and composition of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans. Atmospheric thermodynamics. Energy sources, sinks and transport. Cloud physics.

Fluid motions on a rotating planet. Scale analysis, hydrostatic and geostrophic balance. Inertio-gravity waves. Conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy. Vorticity, Rossby waves. Boundary layers. Boundary currents. Weather forecasting. Predictability and chaos.

The atmospheric radiation budget. Solar radiation. Radiative transfer. Radiative equilibrium. The Greenhouse Effect. Molecular spectra and line shapes.

Atmospheric chemistry, ozone. Catalytic cycles. The Ozone Hole.

Remote sounding of atmospheres. Absorption and emission spectroscopy. Techniques and data interpretation. Satellite and ground-based instrumentation. Current measurement programmes.

Climate and climate variability. Paleoclimates.

Physics and dynamics of planetary atmospheres.

6. Theoretical Physics

Statistical physics: statistical mechanics of interacting systems, cooperative ordering, mean field theory, scaling and criticality, renormalization group ideas. Stochastic processes, random walks, Brownian motion, Markov processes, Langevin and Fokker-Planck equations.

Quantum mechanics: scattering theory for non-relativistic particles; relativistic quantum mechanics; many-particle systems.

Classical fields: covariant formulation of electrodynamics, gauge invariance, retarded potentials, dipole radiation. General Relativity, the equivalence principle, Einstein's equations, geodesics, perihelion of Mercury, simple applications to cosmology.

APPENDIX G

P J C C LECTURE QUESTIONNAIRE LECTURER'S NAME	What was the level of the material presented in the lecture?	How well did the lecturer organise the material?	How clearly was the lecturer heard?	How well did the lecturer use the blackboard or the O.H.P.?	How useful were the printed notes, if any?	How useful were the question sheets, if any?	How useful were the lectures in helping you understand the subject?	2ND YEAR 2^ND YEAR COMMENTS ON LECTURERS
	Far too easy 1 Too easy 2 Reasonable 3 Hard 4 Far too Hard 5	Very poorly 1 Poorly 2 Reasonably 3 Well 4 Very Well 5	Very poorly 1 Poorly 2 Reasonably 3 Well 4 Very Well 5	Very poorly 1 Poorly 2 Reasonably 3 Well 4 Very Well 5	None 1 Not very useful 2 Reasonable 3 Useful 4 Extremely Useful 5	None 1 Not very useful 2 Reasonable 3 Useful 4 Extremely Useful 5	Useless 1 Not very useful 2 Reasonable 3 Useful 4 Extremely Useful 5
Lecturer A Mechanics
Lecturer B Electronics and Circuit Theory
Lecturer C Waves and Optics
Lecturer D Calculus
Lecturer E Vectors
Lecturer F Complex Numbers and ODEs
Lecturer G Astronomy
Lecturer H Friendly Vectors
GENERAL COMMENTS:

APPENDIX H

Academic Staff Telephone Numbers and College Affiliations

(College telephone numbers are for the College Lodge, and numbers for the Sub-Department are for the departmental receptionist).

All staff in the Department can be contacted by e-mail. The general form of address is:

a.other@physics.ox.ac.uk

(If there are two or more people in the Department with the same name, they would be distinguished by a number eg. a.other1@physics.ox.ac.uk)

NAME	COLLEGE	TEL NO	SUB-DEPARTMENT	TEL NO
Abraham, D B Prof	Wolfson	74100	Theoretical Physics	73999
Aitchison, I J R Prof	Worcester	78300	Theoretical Physics	73999
Allison W W M Prof	Keble	72727	Particle & Nuclear	73333
Andrews D G Dr	LMH	74300	Atmospheric Physics	72901
Barr G Dr	Magdalen	76000	Particle & Nuclear	73333
Biller S Dr	Mansfield	70999	Particle & Nuclear	73333

Binney J J Prof	Merton	76310	Theoretical Physics	73999
Blundell S J Dr	Mansfield	70999	Condensed Matter	72200
Boothroyd A T Dr	Oriel	76555	Condensed Matter	72200
Bowler M G Dr	Merton	76310	Particle & Nuclear	73333
Brooker G A Dr	Wadham	77900	Atomic & Laser	72200
Buck B Dr	Wolfson	74100	Theoretical Physics	73999

Burnett K Prof	St. John’s	77300	Atomic & Laser	72200
Chalker J T Dr	St. Hugh’s	74900	Theoretical Physics	73999
Charles P A Prof	St. Hugh’s	74900	Astrophysics	73302
Cooper S Prof	St. Catherine’s	71700	Particle & Nuclear	73333
Cowley R A Prof	Wadham	77900	Condensed Matter	72200
Dalton G B Dr	Worcester	78300	Astrophysics	73302

Devenish R C E Prof	Hertford	79400	Particle & Nuclear	73333
Edmonds D T Prof	Wadham	77900	Condensed Matter	72200
Ekert A Prof	Keble	72727	Atomic & Laser	72200
Ewart P Prof	Worcester	78300	Atomic & Laser	72200
Foot C J Dr	St. Peter’s	78900	Atomic & Laser	72200
Glazer A M Prof	Jesus	79700	Condensed Matter	72200

Haine T W N Dr	Wolfson	74100	Atmospheric Physics	72901
Harnew N Dr	St. Anne’s	74800	Particle & Nuclear	73333
Hodby J W Dr	Balliol	77777	Condensed Matter	72200
Huffman B T Dr	LMH	74300	Particle & Nuclear	73333
Irwin P G J Dr	St. Anne’s	74800	Atmospheric Physics	72901
Jelley N A Dr	Lincoln	79800	Particle & Nuclear	73333

Johnson N F Dr	Lincoln	79800	Condensed Matter	72200
Jones P B Dr	Exeter	79600	Particle & Nuclear	73333
Jordan C Prof	Somerville	70600	Theoretical Physics	73999
Klipstein P C Dr	Merton	76310	Condensed Matter	72200
Kogan I I Dr	Balliol	77777	Theoretical Physics	73999
Kraus H Dr	Corpus Christi	76700	Particle & Nuclear	73333

Leask M J M Dr	St. Catherine’s	71700	Condensed Matter	72200
Lyons L Dr	Jesus	79700	Particle & Nuclear	73333
Miller L Dr	St. Catherine’s	71700	Astrophysics	73302
Myatt G Dr	Green	74770	Particle & Nuclear	73333
Nicholas R J Prof	University	76602	Condensed Matter	72200

Academic Staff Telephone Numbers and College Affiliations - cont’d ...

(College telephone numbers are for the College Lodge, and numbers for the Sub-Department are for the departmental receptionist).

All staff in the Department can be contacted by e-mail. The general form of address is:

a.other@physics.ox.ac.uk

(If there are two or more people in the Department with the same name, they would be distinguished by a number eg. a.other1@physics.ox.ac.uk)

Nickerson R B Dr	Queen’s	79120	Particle & Nuclear	73333
Paton J E Dr	Christ Church	76150	Theoretical Physics	73999
Peach J V Dr	Brasenose	77830	Astrophysics	73302
Podsiadlowski P Dr	St. Edmund Hall	79000	Astrophysics	73302
Rae W D M Dr	St Cross	79900	Particle & Nuclear	73333
Rawlings S G Dr	St. Peter’s	78900	Astrophysics	73302

Read P L Dr	Trinity	79900	Atmospheric Physics	72901
Roaf D J Dr	Exeter	79600	Theoretical Physics	73999
Roche P F Dr	Hertford	79400	Astrophysics	73302
Rodgers C D Dr	Jesus	79700	Atmospheric Physics	72901
Ross G G Prof	Wadham	77900	Theoretical Physics	73999
Ryan J F Prof	Christ Church	76150	Condensed Matter	72200

Sandars P G H Prof	Christ Church	76150	Atomic & Laser	72200
Sarkar S Dr	Linacre	71650	Theoretical Physics	73999
Segar A M Dr	Oriel	76555	Particle & Nuclear	73333
Sherrington D Prof	New	79555	Theoretical Physics	73999
Silk J Prof	New	79555	Astrophysics	73302
Silver J D Prof	New	79555	Atomic & Laser	72200

Singleton J Dr	Corpus Christi	76700	Condensed Matter	72200
Smith G Dr	St. Cross	78490	Astrophysics	73302
Stacey D N Prof	Christ Church	76150	Atomic & Laser	72200
Steane A M Dr	Exeter	79600	Atomic & Laser	72200
Stinchcombe R B Dr	New	79555	Theoretical Physics	73999
Stone N J Prof	St. Edmund Hall	79000	Condensed Matter	72200

Summy G Dr			Atomic & Laser	72200
Taylor F W Prof	Jesus	79700	Atmospheric Physics	72901
Taylor R A Dr	Queen’s	79120	Condensed Matter	72200
Tsvelik A M Prof	Brasenose	77830	Theoretical Physics	73999
Turberfield A J Dr	Magdalen	76000	Condensed Matter	72200
Walczak R Dr	Somerville	70600	Particle & Nuclear	73333

Wark J S Dr	Trinity	79900	Atomic & Laser	72200
Webb C E Prof	Jesus	79700	Atomic & Laser	72200
Weidberg A R Dr	St. John’s	77300	Particle & Nuclear	73333
Wheater J F Dr	University	76602	Theoretical Physics	73999
Williamson E J Dr	St. Cross	78490	Atmospheric Physics	72901
Yeomans J M Dr	St. Hilda’s	76884	Theoretical Physics	73999

APPENDIX I

Useful Numbers

	_{1st Year}	_{2nd Year}	_{3rd Year}_{(BA or Mphys)}	_{4th Year}_(Mphys)
Michaelmas 1999	Lectures Practicals	Lectures Practicals	Lectures Practicals/Theory	Major Options
Hilary 2000	Lectures Practicals	Lectures Practicals/Theory	Consolidation Lectures Finals Part A (BA and MPhys)	Major Options
Trinity 2000	Lectures Practicals Prelims	Lectures Talks Theory	Minor Options (BA) Adv Practical/Essay (BA) Finals Part B (BA) Projects (Mphys) Major Options (Mphys)	Minor Options Finals Part B (MPhys)

	1^st Year	2^nd Year	3^rd Year	4^th Year
Michaelmas 1999	Lectures	Lectures 1 Practical	Lectures 1 Practical	Physics Major Option(s)
Hilary 2000	Lectures	Lectures 1 Practical	Physics Consolidation Lectures Physics Papers in Part A	Physics Major Option(s)
Trinity 2000	Lectures Moderations	Lectures Talks	Philosophy Papers in Part A Physics Major Option(s)	Physics Minor Option (or essay/project) Finals Part B

Consolidation Lectures Finals Part A

Lectures Practicals Prelims

Lectures

Physics Papers

Philosophy Papers

Finals Part B

Michaelmas Term

Hilary Term

Michaelmas Term

Hilary Term

First Year

Michaelmas Term

Waves and Optics

Electronics and Circuit Theory

Vectors and Friendly Vectors

Calculus

Friendly Complex Numbers

Astronomy

Hilary Term

Quantum Physics

Electromagnetism

Multiple Integrals

Vector Calculus

Normal Modes and Partial Differential Equations

Functions of a Complex Variable

Advanced Partial Differential Equations

Trinity Term

Michaelmas Term

Kinetic Theory

Quantum Mechanics

Thermodynamics

Hilary Term

Special Relativity

Optics

Further Mathematical Methods

Functions of a Complex Variable

Numerical Methods

Electromagnetism for Physics and Philosophy

Theory Option: Classical Mechanics

Trinity Term

Atomic Physics

Statistical Mechanics

Electronics

Analogue Electronics Book List

Theory Option: Quantum Mechanics

Michaelmas Term

Condensed Matter Physics

Theory Option: Statistical Mechanics

Hilary Term

Third Year

Trinity Term

BA Minor Options

Fourth Year

Michaelmas and Hilary Terms

MPhys Major Options

Atoms, Lasers and Optics Major Option

Particle Physics Major Option

Physics of Atmospheres and Oceans Major Option

Statistical Physics

Trinity Term

BA and MPhys Minor Options

C. Medical and Environmental Physics

H. Biophysics

I. Energy Studies

General

Weak interactions and parity violation: Electron, muon and tau lepton; neutrinos; identification of different types. Parity violation in weak interactions. The production and decay of the W and Z bosons; the width of the Z and the number of neutrino types.

The production and decay of particles: Quark flow diagrams. The basic components of a generic collider detector; the identification of muons, hadrons, electrons and photons. (Details of accelerators and detectors are not required.)

Theoretical physics (‘The Theory Option’)

General

Weak interactions and parity violation: Electron, muon and tau lepton; neutrinos; identification of different types. Parity violation in weak interactions. The production and decay of the W and Z bosons; the width of the Z and the number of neutrino types.

The production and decay of particles: Quark flow diagrams. The basic components of a generic collider detector; the identification of muons, hadrons, electrons and photons. (Details of accelerators and detectors are not required.)

Theoretical Physics

APPENDIX H