--- title: 'PHY 121 - Waves and Oscillations, Optics and Thermal Physics' url: 'https://eee.buet.ac.bd/academics/undergraduate/courses/phy121' markdown: 'https://eee.buet.ac.bd/academics/undergraduate/courses/phy121.md' date: '2026-04-28' description: 'PHY 121 - Waves and Oscillations, Optics and Thermal Physics Section A: General Information Course Title: Waves and Oscillations, Optics and Thermal Physics Type of Course: Compulsory, Theory, Non-departmental Offered to: EEE Pre-requisite Course(s): None Section B: Course Details Course…' taxonomy: archives_month: - apr_2026 archives_year: - '2026' --- # PHY 121 - Waves and Oscillations, Optics and Thermal Physics ## Section A: General Information - **Course Title:** Waves and Oscillations, Optics and Thermal Physics - **Type of Course:** Compulsory, Theory, Non-departmental - **Offered to:** EEE - **Pre-requisite Course(s):** None ## Section B: Course Details Course Content (As approved by the Academic Council) **Waves and Oscillations:** Differential equation of simple harmonic oscillator, Total energy and average energy, Combination of simple harmonic oscillations, Spring mass system, Torsional pendulum; Two body oscillation, Reduced mass, Damped oscillation, Forced oscillation, Resonance; Progressive wave, Power and intensity of wave, Stationary wave, Group and phase velocities. **Optics:** Defects of images: Spherical aberration, Astigmatism, Coma, Distortion, Curvature, Chromatic aberration. Theories of light; Interference of light: Young's double slit experiment, Displacements of fringes and its uses, Fresnel bi-prism, Interference in thin films, Newton's rings, Interferometers; Diffraction: Diffraction by single slit, Diffraction from a circular aperture, Resolving power of optical instruments, Diffraction at double slit and N-slits, Diffraction grating; Polarization: Production and analysis of polarized light, Brewster's Law, Malus Law, Polarization by double refraction, Nicol prism, Optical activity, Polarimeters. **Thermal Physics:** Heat and work- the first Law of Thermodynamics and its applications; Kinetic theory of gases - kinetic interpretation of temperature, Specific heats of ideal gases, Equipartition of energy, Mean free path, Maxwell's distribution of molecular speeds, Reversible and irreversible processes, Carnot's cycle, Second Law of Thermodynamics, Carnot's theorem, Entropy, Thermodynamic functions, Maxwell relations, Clausius and Clapeyron equation. Course Objectives Objective 1: To develop logical and critical thinking with scientific knowledge of waves & oscillation, optics, and thermal physics required for the students of electrical and electronic engineering. Objective 2: To understand the different laws of physics associated with waves & oscillation, optics, and thermal physics, and apply them to solve the real life problems. ### Knowledge required N/A ### Course Outcomes | CO No. | CO Statement | Corresponding PO(s)\* | Domains and Taxonomy level(s)\*\* | Delivery Method(s) and Activity(-ies) | Assessment Tool(s) | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | At the end of the course, a student should be able to | | CO1 | Describe the basic laws of physics related to waves & oscillation, optics, and thermal physics to express different phenomena in the physical world. | PO(a) | C1 | e.g., Lectures, Homework | e.g., Written exams; viva voce; presentation; assignment | | CO2 | Explain the fundamental concepts and theories of waves & oscillation, optics, and thermal physics applicable for different physical conditions. | PO(a) | C2 | e.g., Lectures, Homework | e.g., Written exams; viva voce; presentation; assignment | | CO3 | Apply the relevant laws of physics to solve various mathematical problems and interpret the result and its consequences. | PO(a) | C3, C4 | e.g., Lectures, Homework | e.g., Written exams; viva voce; presentation; assignment | Cognitive Domain Taxonomy Levels: **C1** – Knowledge, **C2** – Comprehension, **C3** – Application, **C4** – Analysis, **C5** – Synthesis, **C6** – Evaluation, **Affective Domain Taxonomy Levels**: **A1**: Receive; **A2:** Respond; **A3:** Value (demonstrate); **A4:** Organize; **A5:** Characterize; **Psychomotor Domain Taxonomy Levels:** **P1:** Perception; **P2**: Set; **P3:** Guided Response; **P4:** Mechanism; **P5:** Complex Overt Response; **P6:** Adaptation; **P7:** Organization Program Outcomes (PO): **PO(a)** Engineering Knowledge, **PO(b)** Problem Analysis, **PO(c)** Design/development Solution, **PO(d)** Investigation, **PO(e)** Modern tool usage, **PO(f)** The Engineer and Society, **PO(g)** Environment and sustainability, **PO(h)** Ethics, **PO(i)** Individual work and team work, **PO(j)**. Communication, **PO(k)** Project management and finance, PO**(l)** Life-long Learning \* For details of program outcome (PO) statements, please see the departmental website or course curriculum ### Mapping of Knowledge Profile, Complex Engineering Problem Solving and Complex Engineering Activities | K1 | K2 | K3 | K4 | K5 | K6 | K7 | K8 | P1 | P2 | P3 | P4 | P5 | P6 | P7 | A1 | A2 | A3 | A4 | A5 | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ### Lecture Plan | wk | Lecture Topics | Corresponding CO(s) | |---|---|---| | 1 | 1. Introductory discussion of this course; definition of wave motion and Simple harmonic motion (SHM), differential equation of SHM. 2. Defects of images: spherical aberration, astigmatism, coma 3. Heat and work, state and path functions, internal energy, first law of thermodynamics for close system. | CO1, CO2 | | 2 | Solution of differential equation of SHM, Velocity and acceleration of SHM, Significance of angular frequency, and solving mathematical problems. Distortion, Curvature, Chromatic aberration Application of the first law of thermodynamics to steady flow systems (water and gas turbine, spray nozzle, compressors, Boiler, etc.) | CO1, CO2, CO3 | | 3 | Total energy and average energy of SHM, and Solving mathematical problems related to energy of SHM Solving mathematical problems related to aberration Kinetic theory of gases, kinetic gas equation, kinetic interpretation of temperature and mathematical problems related to kinetic theory of gas. | CO1, CO2, CO3 | | 4 | Examples of SHM: Spring-mass system, Effect of spring mass in the oscillation (effective mass), Torsional pendulum, and Solving mathematical problems Theories of light, Interference of light, Young's double slit experiment, displacements of fringes and its uses Specific heats of ideal gases, equipartition of energy and calculation of specific heat for monoatomic, diatomic, and triatomic molecules, mean free path | CO1, CO2, CO3 | | 5 | Combination of simple harmonic motions (In a same line and right angles), Lissajous figures Class Test (Optics) Maxwell’s distribution of molecular speeds, graphical representation of distribution function and molecular speeds different gases, solving mathematical problems related to Maxwell’s distribution. | CO1, CO2, CO3 | | 6 | Damped harmonic oscillation (over-, under- and critical-damping conditions), Quality factor, and logarithmic decrement Fresnel bi-prism, interference in thin films Class Test (Thermal Physics) | CO1, CO2, CO3 | | 7 | Forced oscillation, Resonance, Two-body oscillations and Reduced mass Newton's rings, Interferometers Average speed, most probable speed, root mean square speeds, and solving mathematical problems related to these speeds | CO1, CO2, CO3 | | 8 | Solving mathematical problems related to damped, forced and two-body oscillations Solving mathematical problems related to interference of light Thermodynamic variables, process, equilibrium, reversible and irreversible processes and examples | CO1, CO2, CO3 | | 9 | Class Test ( Waves & Oscillations) Diffraction of light, Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction, diffraction due to single slit Caront’s heat engine and cycles, efficiency of heat engine, PV diagram, calculation of work done and efficiency from PV diagram | CO1, CO2, CO3 | | 10 | Various types of waves, progressive wave equation and differential equation of a progressive wave, and solving mathematical problems Diffraction from a circular aperture, diffraction at double slits Carnot’s theorem and second law of thermodynamics and their uses in solving thermodynamic problem | CO1, CO2, CO3 | | 11 | Energy, power and intensity of wave motion, stationary wave n-slits- diffraction grating General notation of entropy, Clausius inequality, physical significance of entropy, entropy in reversible and irreversible cycles, calculation of work done and efficiency from T-S diagram | CO1, CO2, CO3 | | 12 | Analytical treatment of stationary wave, and solving mathematical problems. Resolving power of optical instruments, solving mathematical problems related to diffraction of light Thermodynamic functions- internal energy, enthalpy, Helmholtz free energy and Gibb’s free energy, uses of these functions in solving thermodynamic problems | CO1, CO2, CO3 | | 13 | Energy of stationary wave, group velocity, phase velocity Polarization of light, production and analysis of polarized light, Brewster's Law, Malus law Maxwell’s thermodynamic relations and their uses for solving thermodynamic problem | CO1, CO2, CO3 | | 14 | Relation between group velocity and phase velocity, mathematical problems Polarization by double refraction, Nicol prism, optical activity, polarimeters, polaroid Clausius-Clapeyron equation, experimental determination of latent heat of vaporization, uses of Clausius-Clapeyron equation in different phase transitions. | CO1, CO2, CO3 | ### Assessment Strategy - Class Participation: Class participation and attendance will be recorded in every class. - Continuous Assessment: Continuous assessment any of the activities such as quizzes, assignment, presentation, etc. The scheme of the continuous assessment for the course will be declared on the first day of classes. - Final Examination: A comprehensive term final examination will be held at the end of the Term following the guideline of academic Council ### Distribution of Marks - Class Participation 10% - Continuous Assessment 20% - Final Examination 70% - Total 100% ### Textbook/ Reference Fundamentals of Physics (10th Edition), D. Halliday, R. Resnick, and J. Walker Vibrations & Waves; A. P. French Fundamentals of Optics (4th Edition); F. A. Jenkins, and H. E. White Fundamentals of Thermodynamics (4th edition); C. Borgnakke and R. E. Sonntag Physics for Engineers - Part-1; Giasuddin Ahmad Waves & Oscillations; N. Subrahmanyum and Brij Lal --- ## Navigation - Parent: [Courses](https://eee.buet.ac.bd/academics/undergraduate/courses.md) - Previous: [PHY 102 - Physics Sessional](https://eee.buet.ac.bd/academics/undergraduate/courses/phy102.md) - Next: [PHY 165 - Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics and Mechanics](https://eee.buet.ac.bd/academics/undergraduate/courses/phy165.md)