Course detail

Physics 2

FEKT-BPA-FY2Acad. year: 2025/2026

The course Physics 2 is closely linked with the course Physics 1. Within the framework of this course the student extends his knowledge from the theory of harmonic motion and will learn foundations of the theory of waves. The subjects of the following section are particular types of waves – electromagnetic waves and optics. Following topic will give to the students basic insight into the foundations of thermodynamics. Quantum mechanics and its application in the laser theory and the band theory of solids will complete the student´s general education in physics.
Seminars correspond to lectures and develop student’s ability to solve particular physical problems.
The knowledge gained in this course will help students to understand problems they can meet during the studies of other disciplines.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

6

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. RNDr. Milada Bartlová, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Physics (UFYZ)

Offered to foreign students

Of all faculties

Entry knowledge

Knowledge gained in the course Physics 1 (basic principles of classical mechnaics, electricity and magnetism), fundamentals of vector algebra, differential and integral calculus is requested.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

- Laboratories, up to 20 pts.
- Seminars, up to 15 pts. (1 written test up to 10 pts., 1 written test up to 5 pts.)
To qualify for final examination it is necessary to gain at least 12 points and to complete all laboratory measurements.
- Final examination, up to 65 pts.
Written test only, it consists from 5 parts: A -Oscillations, Waves, B - Optics, C - Thermodynamics, D – Modern Physics, E – Test questions. To pass the exam it is necessary to gain at least 5 points in each of parts A – D.

The content and forms of instruction in the evaluated course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every academic year.

Aims

- To obtain an overall view of the basic principles and laws of selected parts of classical and quantum physics
- To develop problem solving skills

Graduates in the subject are able to
- characterize harmonic motion, damped and forced oscillations, describe various harmonic oscillators
- explain properties of travelling and standing harmonic waves, illustrate the Doppler effect
- define properties of electromagnetic waves, characterize polarization
- demonstrate basic principles of geometrical optics, recognize the laws of reflection and refraction
- describe interference of light, demonstrate various examples
- explain principles of diffraction, characterize diffraction gratings, define principles of holography
- formulate basic laws of thermodynamics, describe heat engines and pumps
- explain basic concept of the kinetic theory of gases
- characterize photoelectric effect, Compton shift, photons and matter waves
- formulate Schrödinger equation, describe barrier tunnelling, quantum traps, and hydrogen atom
- characterize spontaneous and stimulated emission, describe principles of lasers
- recognize basic principles of band theory of solids
- solve basic problems in classical and quantum physics

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Halliday D., Resnick R., Walker J.: Fundamentals of Physics, John Wiley+Sons, USA, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014 (EN)
Halliday D., Resnick R., Walker J.: Fundamentals of Physics, 11th Edition, Wiley, USA, 2018 (EN)

Recommended reading

Hyperphysics: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html (EN)
Serway R., A.: Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics Saunders College Publishing, Philadelphia, London,..., 1996 (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BPA-ELE Bachelor's

    specialization BPA-ECT , 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

39 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. RNDr. Milada Bartlová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

The Simple Harmonic Oscillator, Energy of the Simple Harmonic Oscillator.
The Pendulum, Damped Oscillators, Forced Oscillators, Resonance.
Types of Waves. One-Dimensional Traveling Harmonic Waves, Plane and Spherical Waves. Energy Transmitted by Harmonic Waves.
Superposition and Interference of Harmonic Waves, Standing Waves. Sound Waves. The Doppler Effect.
The Nature of Light. The Laws of Geometric Optics: Reflection and Refraction. Fundamentals of Fiber Optics.
Interference of Light Waves: Conditions for Interference, Young´s Double-slit Experiment, Interference in Thin Films.
Single-slit Diffraction, the Diffraction Grating. Polarization of Light. Holography.
Temperature, Thermal Expansion, Heat, Specific Heats.
The First Law of Thermodynamics. Some Applications of the First Law.
Heat transfer, the Second Law of Thermodynamics, Heat Engines and Pumps.
The Limits of Classical Physics.
The Quantization of Energy, Absorption, Stimulated and Spontaneous Emission. Lasers.
The Crystal Structures of Solids. The Band Theory of Solids. Conduction in Metals, Insulators, and Semiconductors. Superconduction.

Fundamentals seminar

7 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. RNDr. Milada Bartlová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

The Simple Harmonic Oscillator.
Traveling Harmonic Waves, Standing Waves.
Reflection and Refraction of Light. Interference of Light.
Diffraction and Polarization of Light.
Heat and Work in Thermodynamic Processes. The First Law of Thermodynamics.
The Second Law of Thermodynamics, Heat Engines, and Pumps.
Blackbody Radiation, the Photoelectric Effect, Emission and Absorption.
Barrier tunneling, particle in a box.

Exercise in computer lab

6 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. RNDr. Milada Bartlová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

The Simple Harmonic Oscillator. Anharmonic Oscillators.
Traveling and Standing Waves.
Intereference, Diffraction, and Polarization of Light.
The Second Law of Thermodynamics, Heat Engines, Refrigerators.

Laboratory exercise

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. RNDr. Milada Bartlová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Characteristics of optoelectronic components.
 Polarized light.
The speed of light.
Wave propertise of lght - diffraction.
Temperature radiation, Stefan-Boltzman's law
Photoelectric effect, Planck's constant