Combining this with the idea of energy conservation, most of mechanics is shown to consist of simple energy and momentum conservation. Finally, the connection between momentum and forces is introduced as Newtons Second Law. Throughout, emphasis is given to identifying forces, momentum transfers and energy transfers. Experimental Methods - Physics is an experimental science, so it is vital that students learn what can be measured and how to measure it effectively. Order of magnitude estimates, sources of error in equipment, linearising equations for graphing and other simple techniques are developed in lectures.
Students combine in pairs to conduct four two-hour experiments.
For this reason, three seminars are conducted in the evenings covering the Special Theory of Relativity, Quantum Technology and Cosmology. In addition, during the week a variety of short topics are included such as the workings of a nuclear reactor, stellar evolution, the Leidenfrost Effect, lasers and angular momentum. Finally, students will tour the research centres of the University of Queensland, including the Supersonic Shock Tunnel, Laser Tweezers, and the Advanced Computational Modelling Centre.