Africa Virtual University - AVU

Mode of Delivery

1. Rationale

Atomic physics may loosely be defined as the scientific study of the structure of the atom, its energy states, and its interactions with other particles and fields. Learning Atomic Physics is important not only for understanding the physics of the atom but also the technological applications thereof. For
example, the fact that each element has its own characteristic “fingerprint” spectrum has contributed significantly to advances in material science and also in cosmology.

2. Prerequisite or Knowledge

Before you start this Module, you are expected to be familiar with pre-university calculus, geometry and also to have done Physics modules Mechanics 1 & 2, Waves and Optics, Thermal Physics, Electricity 1 & 2 and Quantum Mechanics.

3. General objectives

The aim of this module is to guide the learner through a chronological development of Atomic Physics. The learner begins by studying the development of atomic models from Dalton, Thompson, Rutherford and finally Bohr. After atomic models the learner is guided through a phenomenon that led to the discovery of the electron and its negative charge. Gas discharge experiments also laid the ground as to how atoms could be excited.

After completing this module you will be able to

4. Time

You are expected to spend 120 hours of self study on this module. You should share the time allocation such that Learning Activities 1 and 3 take more time than Learning Activities 2 and 4. This works out to be 40 hours for Atomic Models, 20 hours for Electrical Discharges, 40 hours for Atomic Spectra and 20 hours for X-Rays.

5. Material

The following list identifies and describes the equipment necessary for all of the activities in this module. The quantities listed are required for each group.