printer friendly pagePHYSICS 41: Mechanics
How are motions of objects in the physical world determined by laws of physics? Students learn to describe the motion of objects (kinematics) and then understand why motions have the form they do (dynamics). Emphasis on how the important physical principles in mechanics, such as conservation of momentum and energy for translational and rotational motion, follow from just three laws of nature: Newton's laws of motion. Distinction made between fundamental laws of nature and empirical rules that are useful approximations for more complex physics. Problems drawn from examples of mechanics in everyday life. Skills developed in verifying that derived results satisfy criteria for correctness, such as dimensional consistency and expected behavior in limiting cases. Discussions based on language of mathematics, particularly vector representations and operations, and calculus. Physical understanding fostered by peer interaction and demonstrations in lecture, and discussion sections based on interactive group problem solving. Prerequisite: High school physics or concurrent enrollment in
PHYSICS 41A.
MATH 41 or
MATH 51 or
CME 100 or equivalent. Minimum corequisite:
MATH 42 or equivalent.
Terms: Win
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Burchat, P. (PI)
;
Bejnood, A. (TA)
;
Boone, D. (TA)
...
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Instructors:
Burchat, P. (PI)
;
Bejnood, A. (TA)
;
Boone, D. (TA)
;
Bray, C. (TA)
;
Cukierman, A. (TA)
;
Espinel, D. (TA)
;
Esterlis, I. (TA)
;
Koppell, S. (TA)
;
Lam, D. (TA)
;
Mazenc, E. (TA)
;
McIntyre, S. (TA)
;
Sahasrabuddhe, K. (TA)
;
Solt, M. (TA)
;
Wolff, A. (TA)
;
Wright, D. (TA)
;
Yuan, H. (TA)
;
Zimet, M. (TA)
PHYSICS 43: Electricity and Magnetism
What is electricity? What is magnetism? How are they related? How do these phenomena manifest themselves in the physical world? The theory of electricity and magnetism, as codified by Maxwell's equations, underlies much of the observable universe. Students develop both conceptual and quantitative knowledge of this theory. Topics include: electrostatics; magnetostatics; simple AC and DC circuits involving capacitors, inductors, and resistors; integral form of Maxwell's equations; electromagnetic waves. Principles illustrated in the context of modern technologies. Broader scientific questions addressed include: How do physical theories evolve? What is the interplay between basic physical theories and associated technologies? Discussions based on the language of mathematics, particularly differential and integral calculus, and vectors. 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 42 or
MATH 51 or
CME 100 or equivalent. Recommended corequisite:
MATH 52 or
CME 102.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Kasevich, M. (PI)
;
Chi, H. (TA)
;
Cho, W. (TA)
;
Delacretaz, L. (TA)
;
Kamath, S. (TA)
;
Koppell, S. (TA)
;
Lee, Y. (TA)
;
McIntyre, S. (TA)
;
Morningstar, W. (TA)
;
Murli, D. (TA)
;
Overstreet, C. (TA)
;
Pourshafeie, A. (TA)
;
Sahasrabuddhe, K. (TA)
;
Sun, Y. (TA)
;
Waisberg, I. (TA)
;
Zhao, Z. (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)
...
more instructors for PHYSICS 45 »
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 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 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
PHYSICS 63: Electricity, Magnetism, and Waves
(Second in a three-part advanced freshman physics series:
PHYSICS 61,
PHYSICS 63,
PHYSICS 65.) This course covers the foundations of electricity and magnetism for students with a strong high school mathematics and physics background, who are contemplating a major in Physics or Engineering Physics, or are interested in a rigorous treatment of physics. Electricity, magnetism, and waves with some description of optics. Electrostatics and Gauss' law. Electric potential, electric field, conductors, image charges. Other theorems of vector calculus. Electric currents, DC circuits. Moving charges, magnetic field, Ampere's law. Solenoids, transformers, induction, AC circuits, resonance. Relativistic point of view for moving charges. Displacement current, Maxwell's equations. Electromagnetic waves, dielectrics. Diffraction, interference, refraction, reflection, polarization.
Terms: Win
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-FR, WAY-SMA
PHYSICS 65: Quantum and Thermal Physics
(Third 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. Introduction to quantum mechanics: matter waves, atomic structure, Schrödinger's equation. Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics: entropy and heat, Boltzmann statistics, quantum statistics. Prerequisites:
PHYSICS 61 &
PHYSICS 63. Pre- or corequisite:
MATH 53.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA, GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-FR
PHYSICS 70: Foundations of Modern Physics
Required for Physics majors who completed the
PHYSICS 40 series, or the
PHYSICS 60 series prior to 2005-06. Special relativity, the experimental basis of quantum theory, atomic structure, quantization of light, Schrödinger equation, nuclear physics, elementary particles and cosmology. Prerequisites:
PHYSICS 41,
PHYSICS 43. Pre or corequisite:
PHYSICS 45. Recommended: prior or concurrent registration in
MATH 53.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
PHYSICS 83N: Physics in the 21st Century
Preference to freshmen. Current topics at the frontier of modern physics. Topics include subatomic particles and the standard model, symmetries in nature, extra dimensions of space, string theory, supersymmetry, the big bang theory of the origin of the universe, black holes, dark matter, and dark energy of the universe. Why the sun shines. Cosmology and inflation.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Tompkins, L. (PI)
PHYSICS 100: Introduction to Observational and Laboratory Astronomy
Designed for undergraduate physics majors but open to all students with a calculus-based physics background and some laboratory experience. Students make and analyze observations using telescopes at the Stanford Student Observatory. Topics include navigating the night sky, the physics of stars and galaxies, telescope instrumentation and operation, quantitative error analysis, and effective scientific communication. Limited enrollment. Prerequisites: prior completion of
Physics 40 or
PHYSICS 60 series.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA, GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-AQR
Instructors:
Allen, S. (PI)
;
Urban, O. (TA)
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