printer friendly pagePHYSICS 81: Electricity and Magnetism Using Special Relativity and Vector Calculus
(Third in a three-part series:
PHYSICS 61,
PHYSICS 71,
PHYSICS 81.) This course recasts the foundations of electricity and magnetism in a way that will surprise, delight, and challenge students who have already encountered the subject at a college or AP level. Suitable for students contemplating a major in Physics or Engineering Physics, those interested in a rigorous treatment of physics as a foundation for other disciplines, or those curious about powerful concepts like transformations, symmetry, and conservation laws. Electrostatics and Gauss' law. Electric potential, electric field, conductors, image charges. Electric currents, DC circuits. Moving charges, magnetic field as a consequence of special relativity applied to electrostatics, Ampere's law. Solenoids, transformers, induction, AC circuits, resonance. Displacement current, Maxwell's equations. Electromagnetic waves. Throughout, we'll see the objects and theorems of vector calculus become manifest in charges, currents, and electromagnetic fields. Prerequisite: A score of 5 on the AP Physics C E&M exam or
Physics 43;
Physics 61; and
Math 52 or
Math 62CM. Recommended prerequisite:
Physics 71. Corequisite:
Math 53 or
Math 63CM. This course was offered as
PHYSICS 63 prior to Academic Year 2022-2023.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: WAY-FR, WAY-SMA, GER: DB-NatSci
PHYSICS 83N: Physics in the 21st Century
Preference to freshmen. This course provides an in-depth examination of frontiers of physics research, including fundamental physics, cosmology, and physics of the future. Questions such as: What is the universe made of? What is the nature of space, time, and matter? What can we learn about the history of the universe and what does it tell us about its future? A large part of 20th century was defined by revolutions in physics - everyday applications of electromagnetism, relativity, and quantum mechanics. What other revolutions can physics bring to human civilization in the 21st century? What is quantum computing? What can physics say about consciousness? What does it take to visit other parts of the solar system, or even other stars? We will also learn to convey these complex topics in engaging and diverse terms to the general public through writing and reading assignments, oral presentations, and multimedia projects. No prior knowledge of physics is necessary; all voices are welcome t
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Preference to freshmen. This course provides an in-depth examination of frontiers of physics research, including fundamental physics, cosmology, and physics of the future. Questions such as: What is the universe made of? What is the nature of space, time, and matter? What can we learn about the history of the universe and what does it tell us about its future? A large part of 20th century was defined by revolutions in physics - everyday applications of electromagnetism, relativity, and quantum mechanics. What other revolutions can physics bring to human civilization in the 21st century? What is quantum computing? What can physics say about consciousness? What does it take to visit other parts of the solar system, or even other stars? We will also learn to convey these complex topics in engaging and diverse terms to the general public through writing and reading assignments, oral presentations, and multimedia projects. No prior knowledge of physics is necessary; all voices are welcome to contribute to the discussion about these big ideas. Learning Goals: By the end of the quarter you will be able to explain the major questions that drive physics research to your friends and peers. You will understand how scientists study the impossibly small and impossibly large and be able to convey this knowledge in clear and concise terms.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Dimopoulos, S. (PI)
PHYSICS 89L: Introduction to Data Analysis, with Python and Jupyter
How do we draw conclusions about fundamental physics from experimental data? This course covers basic data analysis techniques and practical statistics used in experimental and computational physics research. Weekly Python-based labs will allow students to explore topics including data visualization, error propagation, evaluating hypotheses, and fitting analytical models. These labs incorporate real and simulated data from existing experiments such as a gamma-ray telescope and a detector that searches for dark matter. Students will learn to use Python libraries running in Jupyter Notebooks to analyze data and will, for example, study the rate at which the universe is expanding using existing data from multiple telescopes. No prior coding experience is required. Pre-requisite:
Physics 61.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 1
PHYSICS 91SI: Practical Computing for Scientists
Essential computing skills for researchers in the natural sciences. Helping students transition their computing skills from a classroom to a research environment. Topics include the Unix operating system, the Python programming language, and essential tools for data analysis, simulation, and optimization. More advanced topics as time allows. Prerequisite: CS106A or equivalent.
Last offered: Spring 2020
PHYSICS 93SI: Beyond the Laboratory: Physics, Identity, and Society
Beyond its laws and laboratories, what can physics teach us about society and ourselves? How do physicists¿ identities impact the types of scientific questions that are asked throughout history? And who do we call a physicist? This course seeks to address questions such as these, with an eye to understanding how physics relates to history, politics, and our own identities as young researchers. Students will develop a broader appreciation for where physics comes from, how it relates to themselves, and how they can shape its future. No prior knowledge of physics is necessary; all voices are welcome to contribute to the discussion about these big ideas. As an optional addendum to 93SI, students can participate in POISE (Physics Outreach through Inclusive Science Education), an intensive spring break program in which the themes discussed during the course will be explored in more depth. During POISE, students will develop short workshops for high school students that are geared towards making Physics interesting and accessible. In addition, we will take frequent off-campus trips to Bay Area national labs, museums, companies, the beach, camping sites, and more! Our intention is to create a retreat-style experience in which students can learn more about themselves and each other as Physicists, and put their knowledge to good use in the classroom. Those wishing to participate in the spring break component should apply here,
https://goo.gl/forms/KAOA0aCjD7QxxVbW2, and expect to be enrolled in 2 units. Those who are interested in only the course component should apply here,
https://goo.gl/forms/xlrsDP0V2ESkMnbS2, and expect to be enrolled in 1 unit.
Last offered: Winter 2019
PHYSICS 94SI: Diverse Perspectives in Physics
Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a professor, or what you could do with physics beyond academia? Do you want to hear about the life stories of people with diverse backgrounds who have studied or are studying physics? Professors and industry researchers possessing a diverse set of identities and backgrounds will share their journey in physics and their career trajectories, emphasizing their personal lives and experiences as undergraduates and graduate students. A Q&A session will follow.
Last offered: Spring 2021
PHYSICS 96N: Harmony and the Universe
Harmony is a multifaceted concept that has profoundly connects music, mathematics, physics, philosophy, physiology, and psychology. We will explore the evolution of our understanding of harmony and its immediate application in the function of musical instruments, and employ it as a nexus to understand its role in revolutionary scientific advances in gravity, relativity, quantum mechanics, and cosmology. In these explorations, we will examine some of the fundamental mathematical tools which provide us our current understanding of harmony. We will also see how the some concepts surrounding harmony are in tension, if not conflict, and how some great thinkers have followed them down down blind alleys and dead ends. The aim of the course is to show the enormous consequences of harmony in the evolution of our understanding of the universe, and how science itself progresses in fits, starts, and setbacks as old ideas intermingle with new developments. We will also see how objective/quantitative aspects of harmony interact with subjective/qualitative considerations, and how cultural perspectives and prejudices can affect the progression of science.
Last offered: Summer 2021
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
PHYSICS 100: Introduction to Observational Astrophysics
Designed for undergraduate physics majors but is open to all students with a calculus-based physics background and some laboratory and coding experience. Students make and analyze observations using the telescopes at the Stanford Student Observatory. Topics covered include navigating the night sky, the physics of stars and galaxies, telescope instrumentation and operation, imaging techniques, quantitative error analysis, and effective scientific communication. The course concludes with an independent project where student teams propose and execute an observational astronomy project of their choosing, using techniques learned in class to gather and analyze their data, and presenting their findings in the forms of professional-style oral presentations and research papers. Suggested preparation:
Physics 89L. Enrollment by permission. Due to physical limitations at the observatory, this class has a firm enrollment cap. We may not be able to accommodate all requests to enroll. Before permission numbers are given students must complete this form:
https://forms.gle/KDarBRcZWJZG3qr66.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA, GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-AQR
Instructors:
Allen, S. (PI)
;
Flores, A. (PI)
;
Cantrall, B. (TA)
...
more instructors for PHYSICS 100 »
Instructors:
Allen, S. (PI)
;
Flores, A. (PI)
;
Cantrall, B. (TA)
;
Dodge, B. (TA)
;
Flores, A. (TA)
;
Schutt, T. (TA)
;
Wan, J. (TA)
PHYSICS 104: Electronics and Introduction to Experimental Methods
Introductory laboratory electronics, intended for Physics and Engineering Physics majors but open to all students with science or engineering interests in analog circuits, instrumentation, and signal processing. The first part of the course is focused on hands-on exercises that build skills needed for measurements, including input/output impedance concepts, filters, amplifiers, sensors, and fundamentals of noise in physical systems. Lab exercises include DC circuits, RC and diode circuits, applications of operational amplifiers, optoelectronics, synchronous detection, and noise in measurements. The second portion of the class is an instrumentation design project, where essential instrumentation for a practical lab measurement is designed, constructed, and applied for an experiment. Example measurements can include temperature measurement in a cryostat, resistivity measurement of a superconducting material, measurement of the 2-D position of an optical beam, development of a high impeda
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Introductory laboratory electronics, intended for Physics and Engineering Physics majors but open to all students with science or engineering interests in analog circuits, instrumentation, and signal processing. The first part of the course is focused on hands-on exercises that build skills needed for measurements, including input/output impedance concepts, filters, amplifiers, sensors, and fundamentals of noise in physical systems. Lab exercises include DC circuits, RC and diode circuits, applications of operational amplifiers, optoelectronics, synchronous detection, and noise in measurements. The second portion of the class is an instrumentation design project, where essential instrumentation for a practical lab measurement is designed, constructed, and applied for an experiment. Example measurements can include temperature measurement in a cryostat, resistivity measurement of a superconducting material, measurement of the 2-D position of an optical beam, development of a high impedance ion probe and clamp for neuroscience, or other projects of personal interest. The course focuses on practical techniques and insight from the lab exercises, with the goal of preparing undergraduates for laboratory research. No formal electronics experience is required beyond exposure to concepts from introductory Physics or Engineering courses (Ohm's law, charge conservation, physics of capacitors and inductors, etc.). Students who have previously taken
Physics 105 should not enroll in this course due to significant overlap. Recommended prerequisite: (
Physics 43 and 44) OR (
Physics 81 (formerly
Physics 63) and 89L (formerly
Physics 67), OR (Engineering 40A or 40M).
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: WAY-AQR, WAY-SMA
PHYSICS 105: Intermediate Physics Laboratory I: Analog Electronics
Introductory laboratory electronics, designed for Physics and Engineering Physics majors but open to all students with science or engineering interests in analog circuits, instrumentation and signal processing. The course is focused on laboratory exercises that build skills needed for measurements, including sensors, amplification and filtering, and fundamentals of noise in physical systems. The hands-on lab exercises include DC circuits, RC and diode circuits, applications of operational amplifiers, non-linear circuits and optoelectronics. The class exercises build towards a lock-in amplifier contest where each lab section designs and builds a synchronous detection system to measure a weak optical signal, with opportunities to understand the limits of the design, build improvements and compare results with the other lab sections. The course focuses on practical techniques and insight from the lab exercises, with a goal to prepare undergraduates for laboratory research. No formal electronics experience is required beyond exposure to concepts from introductory Physics or Engineering courses (Ohm's law, charge conservation, physics of capacitors and inductors, etc.). Now offered as
PHYSICS 104. Recommended prerequisite:
Physics 43 or 63, or Engineering 40A or 40M.
Last offered: Autumn 2019
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-AQR, WAY-SMA
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