printer friendly pagePHYSICS 25: Modern Physics
How do the discoveries since the dawn of the 20th century impact our understanding of 21st-century physics? This course introduces the foundations of modern physics: Einstein's theory of special relativity and quantum mechanics. Combining the language of physics with tools from algebra and trigonometry, students gain insights into how the universe works on both the smallest and largest scales. Topics may include atomic, molecular, and laser physics; semiconductors; elementary particles and the fundamental forces; nuclear physics (fission, fusion, and radioactivity); astrophysics and cosmology (the contents and evolution of the universe). Emphasis on applications of modern physics in everyday life, progress made in our understanding of the universe, and open questions that are the subject of active research. Physical understanding fostered by peer interaction and demonstrations in lecture, and interactive group problem solving in discussion sections. Prerequisite:
PHYSICS 23 or
PHYSICS 23S.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
PHYSICS 26: Modern Physics Laboratory
Guided hands-on and simulation-based exploration of concepts in modern physics, including special relativity, quantum mechanics and nuclear physics with an emphasis on student predictions, observations and explanations. Pre- or corequisite:
PHYSICS 25.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 1
PHYSICS 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:
Lee, Y. (PI)
;
BERGES, V. (TA)
;
Banerjee, A. (TA)
...
more instructors for PHYSICS 41 »
Instructors:
Lee, Y. (PI)
;
BERGES, V. (TA)
;
Banerjee, A. (TA)
;
Bevillard, B. (TA)
;
Chatterjee, E. (TA)
;
Cho, W. (TA)
;
Garland, R. (TA)
;
Jia, T. (TA)
;
Lin, Y. (TA)
;
MacPherson, Q. (TA)
;
McCandlish, S. (TA)
;
Murli, D. (TA)
;
Neish, A. (TA)
;
Rostaing, G. (TA)
;
Schucker, R. (TA)
;
Sun, P. (TA)
;
Warmoth, A. (TA)
;
Young, S. (TA)
PHYSICS 41A: Mechanics Concepts, Calculations, and Context
Additional assistance and applications for
PHYSICS 41. In-class problems in physics and engineering. Exercises in the concepts and calculations of vectors, translational and rotational velocity and acceleration, equations of motion for particles and rigid bodies, and principles of energy and linear/angular momentum. In-class participation required. Highly recommended for students with limited or no high school physics or calculus. Co-requisite:
PHYSICS 41.
Terms: Win
| Units: 1
Instructors:
Drell, P. (PI)
;
Nanavati, C. (PI)
;
Brackbill, N. (TA)
...
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Instructors:
Drell, P. (PI)
;
Nanavati, C. (PI)
;
Brackbill, N. (TA)
;
Davis, E. (TA)
;
Delacretaz, L. (TA)
;
Fudenberg, D. (TA)
;
Sahasrabuddhe, K. (TA)
PHYSICS 42: Classical Mechanics Laboratory
Hands-on exploration of concepts in classical mechanics: Newton's laws, conservation laws, rotational motion. Introduction to laboratory techniques, experimental equipment and data analysis. Pre- or corequisite:
PHYSICS 41
Terms: Win
| Units: 1
Instructors:
Michelson, P. (PI)
;
Bouton, M. (TA)
;
Gharibyan, H. (TA)
...
more instructors for PHYSICS 42 »
Instructors:
Michelson, P. (PI)
;
Bouton, M. (TA)
;
Gharibyan, H. (TA)
;
Haas, B. (TA)
;
Hergert, J. (TA)
;
Li, X. (TA)
;
Prochnow, B. (TA)
;
Teicher, S. (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)
;
BERGES, V. (TA)
;
Bevillard, B. (TA)
...
more instructors for PHYSICS 43 »
Instructors:
Kasevich, M. (PI)
;
BERGES, V. (TA)
;
Bevillard, B. (TA)
;
Cheung, A. (TA)
;
Haas, B. (TA)
;
Harbola, V. (TA)
;
Malia, B. (TA)
;
Markovic, O. (TA)
;
McLaughlin, S. (TA)
;
Murli, D. (TA)
;
Noordeh, E. (TA)
;
Saad, P. (TA)
;
Scherlis, A. (TA)
;
Sun, Y. (TA)
;
Wilkason, T. (TA)
;
Yang, Z. (TA)
;
de Becdelievre, J. (TA)
PHYSICS 43A: Electricity and Magnetism: Concepts, Calculations and Context
Additional assistance and applications for
Physics 43. In-class problems in physics and engineering. Exercises in calculations of electric and magnetic forces and field to reinforce concepts and techniques; Calculations involving inductors, transformers, AC circuits, motors and generators. Highly recommended for students with limited or no high school physics or calculus. Co-requisite:
PHYSICS 43.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 1
Instructors:
Church, S. (PI)
;
Nanavati, C. (PI)
;
Bulmash, D. (TA)
...
more instructors for PHYSICS 43A »
Instructors:
Church, S. (PI)
;
Nanavati, C. (PI)
;
Bulmash, D. (TA)
;
Jewell, M. (TA)
;
Ledbetter, K. (TA)
;
Van Houten, K. (TA)
;
Wiser, T. (TA)
PHYSICS 43N: Understanding Electromagnetic Phenomena
Preference to freshmen. Expands on the material presented in
PHYSICS 43; applications of concepts in electricity and magnetism to everyday phenomena and to topics in current physics research. Corequisite:
PHYSICS 43 or advanced placement.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 1
Instructors:
Chu, S. (PI)
PHYSICS 44: Electricity and Magnetism Lab
Hands-on exploration of concepts in electricity, magnetism, and circuits. Introduction to multimeters, function generators, oscilloscopes, and graphing techniques. Pre- or corequisite:
PHYSICS 43.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 1
Instructors:
Kasevich, M. (PI)
;
Chatterjee, E. (TA)
;
Liu, S. (TA)
...
more instructors for PHYSICS 44 »
Instructors:
Kasevich, M. (PI)
;
Chatterjee, E. (TA)
;
Liu, S. (TA)
;
Penington, G. (TA)
;
Sahasrabuddhe, K. (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 42 or
MATH 51 or
CME 100 or equivalent.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
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