printer friendly pagePHYSICS 15: The Nature of the Universe
The structure, origin, and evolution of the major components of the Universe: planets, stars, and galaxies. Emphasis is on the formation of the Sun and planets, the evolution of stars, and the structure and content of the Milky Way galaxy. Topics: cosmic enigmas (dark matter, black holes, pulsars, x-ray sources), star birth and death, and the origins of and search for life in the solar system and beyond.
Terms: Aut, Sum
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
PHYSICS 19: How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics
Introduction to the principles of physics through familiar objects and phenomena, including airplanes, cameras, computers, engines, refrigerators, lightning, radio, microwave ovens, and fluorescent lights. Estimates of real quantities from simple calculations. Prerequisite: high school algebra and trigonometry.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Wieman, C. (PI)
;
Allafort, A. (TA)
PHYSICS 21: Mechanics and Heat
For biology, social science, and premedical students. Introduction to Newtonian mechanics, fluid mechanics, theory of heat. Prerequisite: high school algebra and trigonometry; calculus not required.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Michelson, P. (PI)
;
Nanavati, C. (PI)
;
Bleich, A. (TA)
...
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Instructors:
Michelson, P. (PI)
;
Nanavati, C. (PI)
;
Bleich, A. (TA)
;
Kuzovleva, T. (TA)
;
Moy, K. (TA)
;
Starr, M. (TA)
;
Wright, D. (TA)
;
Zhang, R. (TA)
PHYSICS 22: Mechanics and Heat Laboratory
Guided hands-on exploration of concepts in classical mechanics and thermodynamics with an emphasis on student predictions, observations and explanations. Pre- or corequisite: PHYS 21.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 1
Instructors:
Michelson, P. (PI)
;
Ahmed, M. (TA)
;
Coss, G. (TA)
...
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Instructors:
Michelson, P. (PI)
;
Ahmed, M. (TA)
;
Coss, G. (TA)
;
Devin, J. (TA)
;
Fetroe, B. (TA)
;
Guo, S. (TA)
;
Jiang, M. (TA)
PHYSICS 45: Light and Heat
What is temperature? How do the elementary processes of mechanics, which are intrinsically reversible, result in phenomena that are clearly irreversible when applied to a very large number of particles, the ultimate example being life? In thermodynamics, students discover that the approach of classical mechanics is not sufficient to deal with the extremely large number of particles present in a macroscopic amount of gas. The paradigm of thermodynamics leads to a deeper understanding of real-world phenomena such as energy conversion and the performance limits of thermal engines. In optics, students see how a geometrical approach allows the design of optical systems based on reflection and refraction, while the wave nature of light leads to interference phenomena. The two approaches come together in understanding the diffraction limit of microscopes and telescopes. Discussions based on the language of mathematics, particularly calculus. Physical understanding fostered by peer interaction and demonstrations in lecture, and discussion sections based on interactive group problem solving. Prerequisite:
PHYSICS 41 or equivalent.
MATH 21 or
MATH 42 or
MATH 51 or
CME 100 or equivalent.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Gratta, G. (PI)
;
Agarwala, A. (TA)
;
Bray, C. (TA)
...
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Instructors:
Gratta, G. (PI)
;
Agarwala, A. (TA)
;
Bray, C. (TA)
;
Lee, Y. (TA)
;
Martin, V. (TA)
;
McLeod, A. (TA)
;
Rosen, M. (TA)
;
Sahasrabuddhe, K. (TA)
;
Waisberg, I. (TA)
;
Wolff, A. (TA)
PHYSICS 45N: Advanced Topics in Light and Heat
Preference to freshmen. Expands on the subject matter presented in
PHYSICS 45 to include optics and thermodynamics in everyday life, and applications from modern physics and astrophysics. Corequisite:
PHYSICS 45 or advanced placement.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 1
Instructors:
Bucksbaum, P. (PI)
PHYSICS 46: Light and Heat Laboratory
Hands-on exploration of concepts in geometrical optics, wave optics and thermodynamics. Pre- or corequisite:
PHYSICS 45.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 1
Instructors:
Gratta, G. (PI)
;
Chatterjee, E. (TA)
;
Fasman, N. (TA)
...
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Instructors:
Gratta, G. (PI)
;
Chatterjee, E. (TA)
;
Fasman, N. (TA)
;
Garcia-Doty, I. (TA)
;
Jain, H. (TA)
;
Thompson, J. (TA)
PHYSICS 50: Astronomy Laboratory and Observational Astronomy
Introduction to observational astronomy emphasizing the use of optical telescopes. Observations of stars, nebulae, and galaxies in laboratory sessions with 16- and 24-inch telescopes at the Stanford Observatory. Meets one evening per week from dusk until well after dark at the Stanford Observatory. No previous physics required. Limited enrollment. Lab.
Terms: Aut, Sum
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-AQR, WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Ahmed, Z. (PI)
;
Kuo, C. (PI)
;
Goldman, H. (TA)
;
Olivo, D. (TA)
;
Subramaniam, A. (TA)
PHYSICS 59: FRONTIERS OF PHYSICS RESEARCH
Recommended for prospective Physics and Engineering Physics majors, and anyone with an interest in learning about the big questions and unknowns that physicists tackle in their research at Stanford. Weekly faculty presentations, in some cases followed by tours of experimental laboratories where the research is conducted.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 1
Instructors:
Shen, Z. (PI)
PHYSICS 61: Mechanics and Special Relativity
(First in a three-part series:
PHYSICS 61,
PHYSICS 63,
PHYSICS 65.) Advanced freshman physics. For students with a strong high school mathematics and physics background contemplating a major in Physics or interested in a rigorous treatment of physics. Special theory of relativity and Newtonian mechanics with multi- variable calculus. Postulates of special relativity, simultaneity, time dilation, length contraction, the Lorentz transformation, causality, and relativistic mechanics. Central forces, contact forces, linear restoring forces. Momentum transport, work, energy, collisions. Angular momentum, torque, moment of inertia in three dimensions. Damped and forced harmonic oscillators. Recommended prerequisites: Mastery of mechanics at the level of AP Physics C and AP Calculus B/C or equivalent. Corequisite:
MATH 51.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-FR, WAY-SMA
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