Course info

This course is basically an introduction to the properties of matter. It starts off with atoms, molecules and ions which are the basic building blocks of matter. The forces between these particles determine the states of matter to form the condensed matter. The materials thus formed can be crystalline and amorphous. The structure of a crystal can be determined by using Bragg’s law. Defects in crystals will be used to characterize elasticity and plasticity. The course then touches on the properties of liquid matter such as viscosity, surface effects and capillarity. Finally, discussions will focus on the properties of gaseous matter using the Ideal Gas model. The kinetic theory of gas relates the pressure of a gas in a vessel with the speed of the gas molecules. It is also used to describe molar heat capacity and the internal energy. Maxwell Distribution Law derives from the different speeds and mean free path of the gas molecules.

This course also instills basic physics laboratory skills in a team.