Module Code and Title : PHY101 Engineering Physics – I

Programme : BE in Electronics and Communication Engineering

Credit : 12
Module Tutor : Mr. Rajesh Subedi / Mr. Kelzang Dorji
Module Coordinator : Mr. Rajesh Subedi

General objective:
This module will provide students with fundamental understanding of physics and the
engineering knowledge work for a variety of technical position. This will facilitate student
learning through use of appropriate activities, and technology and the illustration of physics
applications in the real world.

Learning outcomes:
On completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. convert units from one system to other system
2. apply vectors in plane and polar co-ordinates
3. explain the formation of waves on stretched string
4. discuss the nature of light and describe interference, diffraction and polarization
5. identify the components of a laser and the principles of laser light generation
6. explain the failure of classical mechanics and the evolution of Quantum mechanics.
7. discuss the significance of theory of relativity in universe and its postulates.

Learning and Teaching approach:

Type Approach Hours per Total Credit

Week Hours
Contact Lecture/flip 4
60
class
Practical 2 30
Independent study Assignment 2
30
Self-study
Total 8 120

Assessment approach:

Assessment will be carried out on a continuous basis through the following tests, assignments,
practical and semester end examinations.

A. Term Test (20%)

Each student will appear for one scheduled term tests for 20 marks for a duration of one hour..
Each of these tests will be one hour long. The test will be conducted at the end of 5 th week ..

Term Test 1: Unit 1, Unit 2 and Unit 3

Achievement Test for Learning Outcome 1, 2 ,3 and 4

B. Assignments (15%)
Two assignments are given for one-week duration each in 6th and 10th weeks. Each assignment
will be of 7.5 marks. The contents of each assignment are as follows:

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 Assignment 1: Conceptual Questions and Numerical from Unit I to Unit III.
 Assignment 2: Conceptual Questions and Numerical from Unit IV to Unit VI.

C. Practical (25%)
Students will be divided into groups of 3 or 4 to conduct practical classes. Each student will
maintain a lab record for their practical classes. The report will be assessed every week. Every
student should also sit for their lab exam and viva-voce.
Viva will be conducted individually during the examination in the Lab.

Assessment criteria
Regular Lab Report (10 Marks)

 Objective (Aims or goals of the practical) (0.5 mark).

 Formulas required for the experiment (1.0 mark)
 Diagram and theory and least count (2.0 Marks)
 Step by step procedure (2.0 marks).
 Table of observation and record (3.0 marks)
 Results (state outcomes of the experiment) (1.0Mark)
 Conclusion (inference from the result): (0.5 Mark)

Practical Exam: (15 marks). Closed book, 2-hour duration in 14th week.
Exam will be conducted individually.
Assessment criteria
 Formula and Symbols: (1 Mark)
 Theory: (1 Mark)
 Apparatus and Diagram: (2 marks)
 Observation Tab: (3 marks)
 Calculation: (1 mark)
 Result: (1 marks)
 Precautions: (0.5 Marks)
 Conclusion: (0.5 Mark)
 Viva-Voce 5 marks

D. Semester End Examination (40 Marks)

Students will undertake a semester-end examination which is closed book for 3 hours of 40
marks covering all the units taught. The question paper will be set as per the prescribed format
of the College.

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 Overview of the assessment approaches and weightage

Marks
Mode of Assessment Quantity Weightage
Allocated
1. Continuous Assessment (Theory)
Term Test 1 20
35
Assignment 2 7.5, 7.5

2. Practical
Regular Assessments (Lab Report) 9 10
Practical Examination 1 10 25
Viva-Voce 1 5
Semester-End Examinations: 1 40 40

Pre-requisites: None.
Subject matter:
Unit I: Mathematical tools applied to Physical problem
1.1 Units and their conversion.
1.2 Vector operations in Cartesian and plane polar co-ordinates with physical
examples.
1.3 Function plotting with physical examples; No derivation of the equations to be
done.
1.4 Scalar and Vector Physics

Unit II: Waves

2.1 Stationary and Progressive Waves
2.2 Waves on a stretched string
2.3 Differential equation of wave
2.4 Superposition of waves,
2.5 Plane, spherical and cylindrical wavefronts.
2.6 Acoustics and Ultrasonic
2.6.1 Reverberation, Sabine formula and absorption coefficient
2.6.2 Production and detection of ultrasonic waves and their properties
2.6.3 Application of ultrasonic waves

Unit III: Optics:

3.1 Introduction to nature of light
3.2 Interference of light; Coherent sources
3.3 Interference in Thin films
3.4 Michelson’s interferometer
3.5 Diffraction
3.5.1 Fraunhofer single slit diffraction resolving power
3.5.2 Two slit diffraction plane diffraction grating
3.6 Spectrum resolution
3.7 Polarization of light
3.8 Dieletric and optical materials
Unit IV: Lasers
4.1 Introduction to Laser
4.2 Stimulated absorption, stimulated emission and spontaneous emission

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 4.3 Atomic and molecular spectra
4.4 Population inversion and pumping methods
4.5 Einstein’s A and B coefficients (Qualitative)
4.6 Types of lasers – Nd-YAG laser, CO2 laser
4.7 Semiconductor lasers (homo-junction and hetero-junction)
4.8 Application of Lasers in welding, cutting and heat treatment, Medical
applications, Holography
Unit V: Quantum Mechanics
5.1 An introduction to quantum Physics
5.2 Newtonian and quantum mechanics
5.3 Failure of Classical mechanics
5.4 Plank’s law of black body radiation
5.5 Plank’s quantum theory
5.6 Wave Packet and Properties of Photons
5.7 Photoelectric Effect and its fundamental Laws
5.8 Einstein’s Photoelectric equation
5.9 Photoelectric cells and their applications
5.10 Compton Scattering Phenomena and its applications

Unit VI: Theory of Relativity

6.1 Introduction to general and special theory of relativity
6.2 Frame of references
6.3 Einstein theory of relativity
6.4 Lorentz transformation of space, time and length
6.5 Michelson-Morley experiment to determine the velocity of light
6.6 Equivalence of mass energy relation

List of Practical:
1. Measurement of dimensions of a given object using Screw Gauge and Vernier
Caliper
2. Measurement of diameter of a capillary tube using travelling microscope
3. Study of oscillatory systems of a mass spring oscillator to determine ‘g’
4. Study of stationary waves to find the frequency of vibration using tuning fork
5. Use of prism spectrometer to find the angle of minimum deviation
6. Study of polarization of light using Laurent’s half shade polarimeter
7. Measurement of wavelength of light using Interference of light from
(a) Sodium source and (b) Helium-Neon source by 1. Newton’ ring and
2. Air wedge methods
8. Study of diffraction of light using sodium and mercury source to find the
wavelengths of primary colours of light
9. Determination of Planck’s Constant using photocells

Reading List:
Essential Reading List
Dunningham, J., & Vedral, V. (2018). Introduction to Quantum Physics and Relativity
(2nd edn.). World Scientific Publishing Company.
Halliday, D., Resnic, R.& Walker, J. (2014). Fundamentals of Physics (10th edn.).
John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Verma, H.C & Bharati, B (2020). Concepts of Physics Part-I. Bharati Bhawani

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 Publishers and Distributors.
Verma, H.C & Bharati, B (2014). Concepts of Physics Part-II Bharati Bhawani
Publishers and Distributors.

Additional Reading List

Arumugam, M (2002). Engineering Physics. Anuradha publication.
Gaur, R.K. & Gupta, S.L. (2007). Engineering Physics (8th edn.). Dhanpat Rai
Publication (P) Ltd.
Jenkins & White (2021). Optics (4th edn.). McGraw-Hill Book Company.
Vasudeva, A.S (2009). Modern Engineering Physics (6th edn.).. S. Chand & Company.

Date: July, 2024