The physical world
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| 7 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | 1 Computer-marked assignment (CMA) |
| Examination | No residential school |
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Summary
If you intend to take only one course in physics, it should be this one. It will give you an essential view of the whole subject. Physics is perhaps the most exciting intellectual adventure of our age – discoveries being made now will change your life, and learning physics will change the way you think about the world. This wide-ranging introduction to physics and its applications covers classical mechanics; thermal physics and fluids; fields, waves and electromagnetism; relativity; and quantum physics (including solids, atoms, nuclei and particles) – setting many of them in their historical context so that you can appreciate the evolution of the subject.
Course content
Natural curiosity leads all of us to ask how the world works. Physics provides the deepest and most reliable scientific answers. This course will improve access to physics regardless of your academic background or mathematical preparation, and will give you an appreciation of the wide relevance of physical principles to the natural and technological worlds. If your aim is to specialise, this is the most appropriate place to start, after you have completed a Level 1 course in science or maths or an appropriate technology course.
The text is presented in eight richly illustrated books, each supported by a video sequence and a few carefully designed computer activities, provided on DVD-ROM.
Book 1 The restless universe provides a non-mathematical overview of the course by bringing together the biggest ideas from every part of physics. The video sequence and DVD activities introduce the ‘big bang’ and give you some idea of the range of objects, from quarks to quasars, which physics tries to describe.
Book 2 Describing motion deals with the various forms of motion that arise in the physical world, and the quantitative methods used to describe them. The topics include the free-fall motion of micro-gravity test vehicles, the trajectories of long-jumpers, and the orbital motion of satellites and space probes. This book also covers, at some length, some essential mathematical tools that you will need later in the course.
Book 3 Predicting motion introduces force as the cause of change in the physical world, and asks how accurately the effect that forces have on the motion of a body can be predicted. Systems as diverse as colliding galaxies and decaying nuclei are considered, and essential concepts such as energy and momentum are explored. The book also has an optional section that discusses chaos and the limits of predictability.
Book 4 Classical physics of matter is concerned with the properties of matter that can be explained more or less directly in terms of classical physics. Among the topics are the principles of flight and the operation of engines and refrigerators. The discussion introduces ideas such as temperature, heat and entropy that will take you beyond Newtonian mechanics and into the realm of thermodynamics and statistical physics.
Book 5 Static fields and potentials describes two of the fundamental interactions in nature: gravity and electromagnetism. The associated fields, potentials and energies are introduced and the relationships between them explained. You will learn how these interactions manifest themselves in different ways, from the formation of stars to the operation of thunderstorms. You will also see how they are harnessed technologically in applications such as hydroelectricity, electrical circuitry and DNA fingerprinting.
Book 6 Dynamic fields and waves concentrates on electric and magnetic fields that vary with time, including light and other electromagnetic waves. Waves in general and light waves in particular are discussed, together with optical instruments such as telescopes and microscopes, and electrical devices such as generators and transformers. This book also explores Einstein’s special theory of relativity, which gives us our most basic insight into space and time.
Book 7 Quantum physics: an introduction guides you through the profound revolution in scientific thinking that overthrew classical physics in favour of quantum physics. You will learn the basic ideas of quantum physics and see their power in predicting the behaviour of matter on the atomic scale, including the emission of light by atoms (spectra) and the operation of lasers. You will also learn why the interpretation of quantum physics is still the subject of intense debate among scientists.
Book 8 Quantum physics of matter explores the way in which quantum physics determines the properties of materials. The quantum physics of solids, for example, dictates whether they are good insulators, semiconductors, conductors or even superconductors. At a deeper level, the quantum physics of nuclei and elementary particles determines the stability of matter and hence the range of substances that came into existence through the ‘big bang’ and the evolution of stars.
Associated residential school course
The 10-point residential school course Physics by experiment (SXR207) complements S207, and it would be particularly appropriate to take SXR207 as soon as possible after completing S207. If you want to count S207 towards an Open University qualification, you may need to include SXR207 as well. If you decide to attend the residential school, you must register for SXR207 separately, for which an additional fee is payable.
Entry
S207 offers a widely accessible route into physics, suitable for students from a range of backgrounds. However, to successfully complete the course you do need some basic scientific and mathematical skills. An appropriate level of mathematical and scientific knowledge can be obtained by studying Maths for science (S151) or Using mathematics (MST121), and Exploring science (S104) prior to studying S207. Students who have studied these courses usually complete S207 successfully.
Before starting S207 you should be familiar with basic algebraic manipulation (rearranging and combining equations etc.); addition and multiplication of fractions; scientific notation; logarithms; elementary geometry and trigonometry; vectors; and with scientific uses of statistics and probability. You should also be able to plot and interpret graphs, use a scientific calculator, and understand the use of unit (dimensional) analysis. A familiarity with the elementary concepts of calculus (differentiation) is also an advantage.
Discovering mathematics (MU123) or Exploring science (S104) provide some mathematical preparation, but Maths for science (S151) or Using mathematics (MST121) provide more substantial preparation. S151 is available four times a year and MST121 is presented twice a year.
It is essential that you establish whether or not your background and experience give you a sound basis on which to tackle the course, since students who are appropriately prepared have the best chance of completing their studies successfully. The Science Faculty has produced a booklet Are You Ready For S207? to help you to decide whether you already have the recommended background knowledge or experience to start the course or whether you first need to study appropriate Level 1 courses. This can be viewed as an interactive program for PC or printed as a PDF from the Are you ready for Science? website.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
This is a compulsory course in our:
This is a optional course in our:
- Diploma in Natural Sciences (D47)
- Diploma in Physical Science (E04)
- BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences (B16)
- BSc (Honours) Physical Science (B27)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it can help to weight your degree towards a BSc.We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
This course can be studied as part of the ‘2 plus 2’ scheme. The ‘2 plus 2’ scheme allows you to gain your degree by studying two years part-time with the OU followed by two years full-time with one of our partner universities. For more details, please visit the scheme website.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a course towards a qualification if you have already taken another course with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this course, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The course utilises large numbers of coloured illustrations, video sequences and some computer activities, several of which cannot be fully described in words. It is possible to complete and pass the course without looking at the video sequences and computer activities, however students with impaired sight or colour perception may benefit from the support of a sighted assistant.
The printed course materials are available on audio in DAISY Digital Talking Book format or in comb-bound format. Transcripts are available for the audio-visual material. Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of the course material are available, however some components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical or scientific materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other formats may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting your needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books, other printed materials, DVD-ROMs.
You will need
Scientific calculator.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with the OU before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You can choose whether to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) on paper or online through the eTMA system. You may want to use the eTMA system for some of your assignments but submit on paper for others. This is entirely your choice.
Assessment is an essential part of the teaching, so you are expected to complete it all. If you unavoidably miss or do badly in an assignment, some courses allow you a ‘substitution score’. In S207 this rule can apply to only one TMA. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the course.
Professional recognition
This course may help you to gain recognition from a professional body. You can download our Recognition leaflet 3.8 Scientific Institutions or ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for a copy.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2010.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Engineering and Technology and Science.
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Student Reviews
The course was much harder than I thought it would be, even after doing well in S103. There is a ...
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