DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL Revision History
Revision: 00
ENGINEERING: MECHATRONICS Approv
ed
Date:
Approved By
Faculty of Engineering Programme Coordinator:
and the Built
Environment SUBJECT GUIDE: Signature
PHYSICAL SCIENCE HOD:
2023 PSC151S Signature
QUALIFICATION INFORMATION
QUALIFICATION TYPE: DIPLOMA IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING IN MECHATRONICS
SAQA CODE: D3MECH
SAQA CREDITS: 28
NQF LEVEL (EXIT): 5
SUBJECT GUIDE
SUBJECT NAME: PHYSICAL SCIENCE
SUBJECT CODE: PSC151S
IMPLEMENTATION: 2023
SEMESTER OR YEAR COURSE: YEAR
LEVEL OF SUBJECT WITHIN
1
PROGRAMME:
DURATION: ONE YEAR
GENERAL
CONTACT INFORMATION
Name Building/Room Telephone e-mail address Consulting Hours
Math & Physics
LECTURER/EXAMINER: MK Mohamed [email protected] Open door policy
department
EXTERNAL MODERATOR: N/A
Mechanical
COURSE COORDINATOR: O Ayodele [email protected] Appointments
Engineering Building
Mechanical
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: S Nqabisa 0219596982 [email protected] Appointments
Engineering Building
Mechanical
DEPARTMENT SECRETARY: K Muhamed 0219538655 [email protected] Open door policy
Engineering Building
COURSEWARE
1. Chemistry, The central science, 13th Edition – Theodore L Brown, H. Eugine LeMay Jr
COMPULSORY COURSE TEXTBOOK/S: 2. Physics for Scientists and Engineers (With Modern Physics) – Raymond A Serway and John W
Jewett Jr.
RECOMMENDED BOOK/S: 1. Foundation Science for Engineers - Keith L. Watson
1. A-Level Chemistry - E. N. Ramsden
RECOMMENDED READINGS:
2. Thermodynamics (An Engineering Approach) 8th Edition, 2015, Cengel & Boles
CRITICAL CROSS-FIELD OUTCOMES (CCFO s)
The aim of CCFO’s is to direct educational activities towards the development of learners within a social and economic environment. Critical Cross-
field Outcomes include, but are not limited to:
1. Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made
2. Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization or community
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3. Organizing and managing oneself and one’s activities responsibly and effectively
4. Collecting, analysing, organizing and critically evaluating information
5. Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and / or language skills in the modes of oral and / or written persuasions
6. Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others
7. Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
8. Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large
KNOWLEDGE AREAS
Mathematics Natural Science Engineering Science Design and Synthesis Complementary Studies
- 100 % - - -
GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES
Graduate Attribute 1: Problem solving
Apply engineering principles to systematically diagnose and solve well-defined engineering problems.
Graduate Attribute 2: Application of scientific and engineering knowledge
Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science and engineering sciences to applied engineering procedures, processes, systems and
methodologies to solve well-defined engineering problems.
Graduate Attribute 3: Engineering Design
Perform procedural design of components, systems, works, products or processes to meet requirements, normally within applicable standards, codes
of practice and legislation.
Graduate Attribute 4: Investigations, experiments and data analysis
Conduct investigations of well-defined problems through locating and searching relevant codes and catalogues, conducting standard tests,
experiments and measurements.
Graduate Attribute 5: Engineering methods, skills and tools, including Information Technology
Use appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering tools including information technology for the solution of well-defined engineering
problems, with an awareness of the limitations, restrictions, premises, assumptions and constraints.
Graduate Attribute 6: Professional and technical communication
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing within an engineering context.
Graduate Attribute 7: Sustainability and Impact of Engineering Activity
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the impact of engineering activity on the society, economy, industrial and physical environment, and
address issues by defined procedures.
Graduate Attribute 8: Individual, Team and Multidisciplinary Working
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles and apply these to one’s own work, as a member and leader in a
technical team and to manage projects.
Graduate Attribute 9: Independent Learning Ability
Engage in independent and life-long learning through well-developed learning skills.
Graduate Attribute 10: Engineering Professionalism
Understand and commit to professional ethics, responsibilities and norms of engineering technical practice.
Graduate Attribute 11: Workplace practices
Demonstrate an understanding of workplace practices to solve engineering problems consistent with academic learning achieved.
LEARNING OUTCOMES GRADUATE ATTRIBUTE ASSESSMENT METHOD CCFO’S
Student Name: Graduate Attempt 1 Attempt 2 Attempt 3
Attributes
Students successfully complete this course will be Score (0–1) Score (0-1) Score (0-1)
able to:
Present work in a professional manner: solved problems 1 1, 2 & 3
are logically structured with appropriate, scaled accurate
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diagrams.
Work with relationships amongst physical variables, draw 2 1, 4, 5 & 7
and interpret graphs of those variables against time and
use graphical and analytical approaches in the solution of
the problem.
Explain and apply the necessary fundamental definitions, 2 1-8
nomenclature, laws and principles utilized in the
introduction to Physics and Chemistry.
Apply fundamental knowledge of physical phenomena 2 1-8
and processes to the calculation of aspects of those
physical phenomena.
Preform basic skills required to be able to engage in 2 1-8
problem solving through the use of Physics and
Chemistry models.
Distinguish between definitions, derived results, concepts 2 1&6
and principles and laws.
Employ the models used in physics to solve convergent 2 1, 2 & 3
problems.
Have a deeper awareness of the usefulness of chemistry 2 1&6
in the engineering applications.
Use the variety of strategies that are employed in solving 2 1, 2, 3 & 6
problems and be able to identify and choose the
appropriate strategies for problem at hand.
Use laboratory equipment to set up and conduct an 4 6
experiment related to some fundamental physics and
chemistry phenomenon.
Compute the uncertainty in the results of laboratory 4 6
experiment and report that uncertainty appropriately.
Write a neat, well-structure laboratory report of an 4 6
experiment with appropriate descriptions, explanations,
calculations and conclusions.
Comments:
ASSESSMENT ADMINISTRATION
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
DESCRIPTION: Assignment /
Tutorials / Practical’s Mid-year Four Tests Final Exam.
Spot tests
ASSESSMENT TYPE Formative Summative Summative Summative Summative
TERM: Continuous 1 each term Mid-year Continuous Four
WEIGHT IN %: 10 % 10 % 20 % 20 % 40 %
Sub-minimum: - 50% - - 40%
SUBJECT STRUCTURE
SYLLABUS AND SCHEDULE
Summary of subject content Time (weeks) Practical / Assignment
Topic Detail
Introduction to Physical Science The Study of Physical Science 1
Physical Science Observations and Models
Observations in Science
Interpreting Observations
Models in Science
Numbers and Measurements in Science
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Units
Numbers and Significant Figures
Problem Solving in Science and Engineering
Atoms and Molecules Atomic Structure and Mass 1
Ions
Compounds and Chemical Bonds
The Periodic Table
Inorganic and Organic Chemistry
Chemical Nomenclature
The Ionic Bond 1
Chemical Bonding and
The Covalent Bond
Molecular Structure
Electronegativity and Bond Polarity
Chemical Formulas and Equations 2 Assignment 1
Molecules, Moles, and Aqueous Solutions and Net Ionic Equations
Chemical Equations Interpreting Equations and the Mole
Calculations Using Moles and Molar Masses
Bonding in Solids: Metals and Insulators 1
Solid State Physics:
Molecules and Materials • Condensed Phases – Liquids
• Condensed Phases – Solids
• Intermolecular and Intramolecular Forces
Rates of Chemical Reactions 2 Assignment 2
Rate Laws and the Concentration Dependence of Rates
Integrated Rate Laws
Temperature and Kinetics
Chemical Kinetics
Reaction Mechanisms
Catalysis
Acids and Bases
Chemical Equilibrium
Electrochemistry Basic Electrochemistry 2
Oxidation – Reduction Reactions and Galvanic Cells
Voltaic Cells
Electromotive Force
Commercial Batteries
Electrolysis
Corrosion
Temperature 3 Experiment 1
Temperature and the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
Thermometers and the Celsius Temperature Scale Volume, mass and density
The Constant-Volume Gas Thermometer and the Absolute
Temperature Scale
Thermal Expansion of Solids and Liquids
Macroscopic Description of an Ideal Gas (PV=nRT)
Heat and the First Law of Thermodynamics
Temperature and heat
Heat and Internal Energy
(Thermodynamics and Thermal
Specific Heat and Calorimetry
Physics)
Latent Heat
Work and Heat in Thermodynamic Processes
The First Law of Thermodynamics and Some Applications of
the First Law
The Second Law of Thermodynamics
Heat Engines, Entropy and the Second Law of
Thermodynamics
Reversible and Irreversible Processes
Wave Motion and Sound Propagation of a Disturbance 2 Experiment 2
Waves Sinusoidal Waves
The Speed of Waves on Strings Simple Harmonic Motion
Reflection and Transmission (Pendulum)
Sound Waves - Speed of Sound Waves, Periodic Sound
Waves, Intensity of Periodic Sound Waves
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The Doppler Effect
Applications: Digital Sound Recording, microphone, speaker
etc.
Superposition and Interference 2 Standing waves
Standing Waves - Standing Waves in a String Fixed at Both experiment demonstration
ends
Superposition and Standing Resonance
Waves Standing Waves - in Air Columns, Rods and Membranes
Beats: Interference in Time
Non-sinusoidal Wave Patterns: Introduction to harmonic
analysis
The Nature of Light and speed of light 2 Experiment 3
The Ray Approximation in Geometric Optics
Reflection and Refraction - Law of reflection
Dispersion and Prisms
Total Internal Reflection: Application to fiber optics - Index of reflection
Image Formation (Snell’s Law)
• Images Formed by Flat Mirrors
• Images Formed by Spherical Mirrors - Apparent depth method
• Images Formed by Refraction
• Thin Lenses - Total internal reflection
• Lens Aberrations of a semi-circular glass
Application of geometric optics block
• The Camera
• The Eye
Light and Optics • The Simple Magnifier
• The Compound Microscope
• The Telescope
Interference of Light Waves
• Conditions for Interference
• Young’s Double-Slit Experiment
• Intensity Distribution of the Double-Slit Interference
Pattern
• Phasor Addition of waves
• Interference in Thin Films
Diffraction Patterns and Polarization
• Introduction to Diffraction Patterns
• Diffraction Patterns from Narrow Slits
• The Diffraction Grating
• Polarization of Light Waves
Electricity and Magnetism Electric Fields 3 Experiment 4
• Properties of Electric Charges
• Charging Objects by Induction Ohm’s Law
• Coulomb’s Law
• The Electric Field
• Electric Field of a Continuous Charge Distribution
• Electric Field Lines
• Motion of Charged Particles in a Uniform Electric
Field
Electric Potential
• Potential Difference and Electric Potential
• Potential Differences in a Uniform Electric Field
• Electric Potential and Potential Energy Due to Point
Charges
• Obtaining the Value of the Electric Field from the
Electric Potential
Applications of Electrostatics: The Millikan Oil-Drop Experiment
Capacitance and Dielectrics
• Definition of capacitance
• Calculating Capacitance
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• Combinations of Capacitors
• Energy Stored in a Charged Capacitor
Current and Resistance
• Electric current
• Ohm’s Law
• Resistance and Temperature
• Electrical Power
Magnetic Fields and Forces
• Magnetic Fields
• Magnetic Force Acting on a Current-Carrying
• Torque on a Current Loop in a Uniform Magnetic
• Motion of a Charged Particle in a Uniform Magnetic
Field
• Applications Involving Charged Particles Moving in a
Magnetic Field
Sources of the Magnetic field
• The Magnetic Force Between Two Parallel
conductors
• Ampère’s Law
• The Magnetic Field of a Solenoid
• Magnetic Flux
Faraday’s Law
• Faraday’s Law of Induction
• Lenz’s Law
• Induced EMF and Electric Fields
• Generators and Motors
• Eddy Currents
Semiconductor Diode Characteristics 2 Experiment 5
The p-n Junction Diode in Reverse Bias
The p-n Junction Diode in Forward Bias Characteristic curve of a
Band Structure of an Open Circuit p-n Junction junction diode
The Current Components in a p-n Junction Diode
Law of the Junction
Diode Current equation
Volt-Ampere Characteristics of a p-n Junction diode
Semi-conductor Theory Temperature Dependence of p-n Junction Diode
Characteristics
Space Charge or Transition Capacitance CT
Diffusion Capacitance, CD
Diode Switching Times
Break Down Mechanism
Zener Diode
The Tunnel Diode
Varactor Diode
Introduction to Quantum Physics 2 Assignment 3
• Blackbody Radiation
• Planck’s Quantum Hypotheses
• Photoelectric Effect
• Wave Properties of Particles (Photon)
Introduction to Atomic Physics
• Lasers and its Applications
Modern Physics
Introduction to Nuclear Structure
• Properties of Nuclei
• Radioactivity
Applications of Nuclear Physics
• Nuclear Energy (Fission and Fusion)
• Radiation and its application
Introduction to Particle Physics and Cosmology
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ASSESSMENT METHODS
Assessment will comprise combination of formative (tutorials and spot tests) and summative (class tests, projects and major individual
assessments). The formative assessments do not count toward the final mark but they are designed to enable students to gain expertise of the
various outcomes. Feedback will regularly be given to students in order for them to know their weaknesses with the view to work on the areas
where they are deficient in knowledge.
Progress Marks
You are entitled to know your progress mark especially before the final assessment
You are required to take responsibility for your marks to ensure that accurate marks are captured for you for all evaluations (mid-term
test, class tests, projects, etc.) before final assessment
Queries on all evaluations (mid-term test, class tests, projects, etc.) before final assessment must be raised and resolved before final
assessment is written
Queries on all evaluations (mid-term test, class tests, projects, etc.) before final assessment will not be considered after the final
evaluation is written
Rules and Responsibilities:
Students must familiarize themselves with all rules, policies, and responsibilities as outlined in the program guide. Students should read
their emails on CPUT addresses regularly (at least twice in a day, morning and evening)
Students must please note that class attendance is compulsory, punctuality is compulsory to avoid unnecessary distraction
Noise making in any form (via conversations, cell phones, music, games etc) is totally forbidden.
Eating in the classroom during lecture is totally forbidden
Absence from any assessment without a very good reason will result in a zero (0) mark being awarded
Although not encouraged, but if a student has a very good reason for being absent (e.g. sickness) and he/she provides proof (e.g. medical
certificate), a substitute test may be considered. Such a proof of absence must be submitted to the subject lecturer by the affected student on the
day he/she returns to class, late and no submissions of tasks without acceptable reason will result in a zero (0) mark being awarded.
Special Tests (Sick and Trauma)
Only MISSED Mid-Year test and Final Assessment will be accommodated for special test.
Relevant certificate (medical, death, etc.) must be made available to Mechatronics administrative office (1.87) or email to the
Administrative Assistant, Miss Nkuli Soyekwa (
[email protected]), NO LATER than three (3) days after the ‘missed’ assessment
is written.
Re-Assessment
To qualify for re-assessment, your FINAL MARK must be between 45% and 49% and you must have completed ALL evaluations
(tutorials, class tests, spot tests, etc) given in the entire year.
Re-assessment is NOT for students who have already secured final marks of 50% and above in order to improve their final marks.
The scope of re-assessment is ALL the topics covered during the year.
Questions for re-assessment will cover ALL topics taught throughout the year.
Re-assessment mark will only replace the mark of the relevant assessment(s) which must be a maximum of 20% weighting.
Should the re-assessment enable you to pass, you can only obtain a FINAL MARK of 50%
RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. REFER TO THE CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY ACADEMIC AND STUDENTS RULES AND REGULATION
BOOK, AVAILABLE ONLINE AT THE UNIVERSITY WEBSITE.
2. REFER TO BLACK RULE BOOK
1. This document is subject to revision.
2. Subject Guide is electronically available on the Learner Management System (Blackboard).
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