Study information

Soft Matter - 2023 entry

MODULE TITLESoft Matter CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEPHY3071 MODULE CONVENERDr Peter Petrov (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 33
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content
This module will discuss important approaches for describing and understanding the behaviour and interactions in soft matter systems. In particular, topics explored in this module will include electrostatic and other interactions in solutions, random walks, conformation of (bio)polymers, diffusion processes, mechanics of soft membranes and hydrodynamic interactions in liquid films. In addition, it will introduce important experimental methods used to study soft matter systems and will discuss their theoretical bases.
 
AIMS - intentions of the module

The module will offer insights into the complex and fascinating physics of various systems generally known as soft matter. It aims to develop students' understanding of the physical principles, interactions and processes governing the behaviour of such systems and provide the necessary tools for quantitative description of their behaviour.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
 
A student who has passed this module should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1. describe the main forces controlling the behaviour of colloidal systems;
2. use random walk models to describe Brownian motion, diffusion and conformation of polymer chains;
3. solve a variety of diffusion problems using suitable mathematical techniques;
4. describe the factors controlling the morphology of soft membranes and their thermal fluctuations;
5. obtain the shape of liquid surfaces possessing surface tension;
6. use the equations of Navier-Stokes to model the hydrodynamics of thin liquid films;
7. describe the physical principles behind the experimental determination of important properties of soft matter systems;
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
8. apply a variety of mathematical techniques for quantitative description of complex systems;
9. apply principles from classical mechanics, electromagnetism and thermal physics to soft matter systems;
 
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
10. develop the ability to quantitatively model complex systems of practical importance such as suspensions, emulsions, membranes, polymers, foams etc.;
11. use mathematical techniques to solve problems.
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
I. Introduction to Soft Matter
II. Colloidal systems
  1. Introduction to colloids
  2. Electrostatic forces between surfaces in liquids.
    • Electric double layer.
    • Poisson-Boltzmann equation and the distribution of the electrostatic potential. Debye-Hückel approximation. Grahame equation.
    • Pressure and interaction energy between two charged surfaces in aqueous solutions.
    • Stern model of the double layer.
    • Limitations of the Poisson-Boltzmann theory.
  3. Van der Waals interactions between surfaces.
    • Van der Waals disjoining pressure and energy of interaction.
    • Hamaker constant. Lifshitz theory.
  4. The DLVO theory of the stability of colloidal suspensions.
    • The DLVO potential
    • Effect of Hamaker constant, surface electrostatic potential and electrolyte concentration. Secondary minimum.
  5. Experimental measurement of surface forces.
  6. Beyond DLVO: hydration forces, hydrophobic interaction, steric and fluctuation forces.
III. Diffusion processes
  1. Introduction to Brownian motion.
  2. Random walk model. Diffusion equation.
  3. Langevin equation. Einstein-Smoluchowski relation.
  4. Diffusion equation: classical approach.
  5. Solution to the diffusion equation. Laplace transform.
  6. Experimental methods for determination of diffusion coefficients.
IV. Polymers in solutions
  1. Introduction to macromolecules.
  2. Random walk model and polymer conformation. End-to-end distance and radius of gyration.
  3. Polymers in solution: frictional coefficient and diffusion.
  4. Entropic elasticity.
  5. Single molecule elasticity: experiments.
V. Soft membranes and free liquid surfaces
  1. Amphiphilic molecules. Supramolecular self-assembly.
  2. Mechanical properties of thin membranes.
  3. Curvature of surfaces. Curvature energy and bending rigidity. Shapes of lipid vesicles and biological membranes.
  4. Thermal fluctuation spectrum of soft membranes.
  5. Experimental determination of the bending elastic modulus and the area modulus of soft membranes.
  6. Surface tension. Laplace equation.
  7. Equilibrium shapes of free liquid surfaces. Exact and approximate solutions.
  8. Experimental determination of the surface tension.
VI. Hydrodynamic interactions in thin liquid films
  1. The Navier-Stokes equations. The equation of continuity.
  2. An exact solution: Poiseuille flow.
  3. Lubrication approximation.
  4. Hydrodynamics of thin liquid films.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 22 Guided Independent Study 128 Placement / Study Abroad
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 20 hours 20×1-hour lectures
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 2 hours 2×1-hour problems/revision classes
Guided independent study 30 hours 5×6-hour self-study packages
Guided independent study 16 hours 4×4-hour problem sets
Guided independent study 82 hours Reading, private study and revision

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Guided self-study (0%) 5×6-hour packages (fortnightly) 1-11 Discussion in class
4 × Problems sets (0%) 4 hours per set (fortnightly) 1-11 Solutions discussed in problems classes.
       
       
       

 

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 0 Written Exams 100 Practical Exams
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Final Examination 100% 2 hours 30 minutes (January) 1-11 Mark via MyExeter, collective feedback via ELE and solutions.
         
         
         
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Whole module Written examination (100%) 1-11 August/September assessment period

Re-assessment is not available except when required by referral or deferral.

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES
An original assessment that is based on both examination and coursework, tests, etc., is considered as a single element for the purpose of referral; i.e., the referred mark is based on the referred examination only, discounting all previous marks. In the event that the mark for a referred assessment is lower than that of the original assessment, the original higher mark will be retained.
 
Physics Modules with PHY Codes
Referred examinations will only be available in PHY3064, PHYM004 and those other modules for which the original assessment includes an examination component - this information is given in individual module descriptors.
RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener
ELE:
 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Extended Berg, J. C. An Introduction to Interfaces and Colloids: The Bridge to Nanoscience World Scientific 2009 978-9-814-29982-4
Extended Doi, M. Soft Matter Physics Oxford University Press 2015 978-0-199-65295-2
Extended Israelachvili, J. Intermolecular and Surface Forces 3rd Academic Press 2011 978-0-123-91927-4
Extended Jones, R. A. L. Soft Condensed Matter Oxford University Press 2002 978-0-198-50589-1
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES PHY1021, PHY1024, PHY2021, PHY2023, PHY2025
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Monday 6th December 2021 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 26th January 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Physics; Colloids; Soft matter; Electrostatics; Random walks; Diffusion; Polymers; Liquid Films; Transport.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.