Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Department of Physics
Self-Learning Physics Modules

for Transfer Students
Home

Topics to be Covered for each Self-Learning Physics Module

Thermal Physics Module
  • Define temperature and heat and explain the relationship between the two. Explain the consequences of heat transfer to or from a system.
  • Describe the behavior of ideal gases. Calculate the macroscopic properties of a gas (pressure, volume, temperature) in terms of the microscopic properties of its molecules (speed, momentum, kinetic energy).
  • State the first law of thermodynamics and apply it to thermodynamic processes. Explain the first law of thermodynamics in the context of the principle of the conservation of energy.
  • Apply the first law of thermodynamics to use heat to do work and to use work to move heat. Explain the limitations placed on such processes by the second law of thermodynamics.
Waves & Sound Physics Module
  • Describe the types of mechanical waves, define the terms used to describe mechanical waves, and use the mathematical description of traveling waves.
  • Describe interference of waves and show how it leads to standing waves and resonance.
  • Apply the principles of wave motion to sound waves and perform calculations on sound intensity, beats, and the Doppler effect.
Optics Physics Module
  • Describe the nature of light, how it propagates, and how it interacts with bulk quantities of matter, including reflection, refraction, total internal reflection, dispersion, and polarization.
  • Describe how the reflection and refraction of light determine the action of mirrors, lenses, and more complex optical instruments.
  • Describe the interference of light, and calculate the intensity of light at various points in an interference pattern.
  • Describe diffraction of light, and calculate the intensity of light at various points in a diffraction pattern for single, double, and multiple slits.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Physics Department, Robeson Hall (0435), Blacksburg, VA 24061
Phone:(540) 231-6544; Fax: (540) 231-7511