PHY111 Medical Radiation Physics 1 (16)

• Understand and competently use the basic principles of general mathematics including basic algebra, sigma and delta notation, exponentials and logarithms, vectors, and some basic statistics including laws of probability, descriptive and inferential statistics.
• Be able to describe the basic principles of mechanics (kinematics, dynamics, elasticity and fluids), and demonstrate the ability to analyse and problem solve in these areas.
• Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the laws of thermal physics, electrostatics and DC electricity, magnetism and electromagnetism, and be able to solve numerical problems relating to these areas.
• Be able to describe the relevant physical principles and laws, and problem solve in the following topics as relevant to medical radiation science: electromagnetic induction, AC circuits, basic electronics, and the basic xray circuit, heat characteristics in xray tubes, oscillations and waves.
• Be able to conduct relevant experiments and write scientific experimental reports, relating relevant physical theory to the observed phenomena; then draw relevant conclusions and deductions from the observed results, using the experimental errors present.
• Commence the establishment of critical, analytical, and evaluative skills in a range of contexts including problem solving, research and empirical practice, and academic and professional discourse.
• Appreciate and demonstrate those characteristics that enhance autonomous and life long learning.

Mathematical Foundations: Basic algebra, sigma and delta notation, exponentials and logarithms, vectors, basic probability laws, simple descriptive and inferential statistics. Kinematics: Measurement, physical quantities, SI units, vectors, motion equations, uniform circular motion. Dynamics: Newtons Laws of motion, friction, inertial forces, gravitational forces, work, energy, conservation of energy, conservation of momentum, impulse, collisions. Elasticity: Hookes law, Youngs Modulus, stress and strain. Shear modulus, bulk modulus, fracture and ultimate strength. Fluids: Pressure, density, Archimedes principle, Pascals principle, surface tension, capillarity, fluid flow, continuity, Bernoullis equation, viscosity, specific gravity. Thermal Studies and Kinetic Theory: Thermal expansion, ideal gas law, Maxwellian distribution, internal energy, specific heat, latent heat, conduction, convection, radiation. Electrostatics and DC Electricity: Static electricity, insulators and conductors, Coulombs law, electric field, electric potential and potential difference, capacitance, energy storage, parallel plate capacitor, dielectrics, electromotive force, resistance, resistivity, Ohms law, multi-loop circuits, RC circuits. Electromagnetism: Magnetism, earths magnetic field, magnetic force on a moving charged particle, magnetic force on electric current, torque on current loop, lines of B, long solenoid. Electromagnetic Induction: Induced EMF, magnetic flux, Faradays Law of Induction, Lenzs Law, motional EMFs, generators, back EMFs, self inductance, RL circuits, energy stored in B field. AC Circuits: Resistors, capacitors and inductors in AC Circuits, RLC series circuit, power in an AC circuit, resonance in a series RLC circuit, the transformer and autotransformer. Basic Electronics: Semiconductors, diodes, transistors, thyristors and triacs, basic electronic circuits used in radiological applications (eg switches, filters, detection, logic circuit elements). Basic x-ray circuit: Primary circuit, secondary circuit, I2R losses. Heat characteristics in x-ray tubes: Power rating of tubes, Stefans Law and cooling curves, relationship to I-V waveform. Oscillations and Waves: Simple harmonic motion (SHM) and Hookes law, elastic potential energy and kinetic energy of vibrating objects, vibration velocity, period and frequency, equation for SHM, description of waves, properties of waves (superposition and interference), wave interactions, Fourier synthesis and analysis, wave phenomena, resonance.