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Physics NATURAL SCIENCES D IVISION Faculty Electronics), PHYS 105 (Unifying calculus. There is a weekly laboratory Thomas B. Greenslade Jr. Professor Ideas in Physics), PHYS 106 that makes extensive use of comput- (Astronomy: Planets and Moons), or ers for data acquisition and analysis. John D. Idoine Chair, Professor PHYS 107 (Astronomy: Stars and Franklin D. Miller Jr. Professor Emeritus Galaxies). These courses are suitable strong background in high-school for diversification in the sciences and physics, or who receive high scores Benjamin W. Schumacher Associate Professor are accessible to any Kenyon student. on the Advanced Placement C-level All contain some laboratory sessions Physics Examination, should consider Timothy S. Sullivan Associate Professor in which students become familiar beginning their study of physics with Paula C. Turner Associate Professor with the phenomena discussed in PHYS 223 (Fields and Spacetime). lectures. Placement in this course is done in The second option is PHYS 111 Physics is the study of the most basic and 112 (General Physics I and II). principles of nature that describe the PHYS 111 and 112 constitute a world around us, from the subatomic general survey of physics designed particles to the motion of everyday primarily for students who will take particles to the galaxies and beyond. only one year of physics. These Courses in physics allow students to courses make use of mathematical develop a sound knowledge of these techniques from high-school algebra principles, as well as the analytical and trigonometry. There is a weekly and experimental techniques laboratory that makes extensive use necessary to apply them to a broad of computers for data acquisition and range of theoretical and experimental analysis. problems. The Department of Physics offers The third option is PHYS 115 (Classical Physics) and PHYS 116 three options for students wishing to (Modern Physics), which, together begin their exploration of physics. with PHYS 223 (Fields and Space- Look for the u symbol, which time), form a calculus-based introduc- designates those courses particularly tion to the fundamentals of physics. appropriate for first-year or upperclass These courses are more analytical students new to the physics depart- than PHYS 111 and 112 and treat ment curriculum. topics in greater depth. PHYS 115 Students who want a less and PHYS 116 are particularly mathematical approach to interesting suitable for students who plan to take subfields of physics should consider more physics or upper-level chemistry PHYS 101 (Natural Philosophy), or mathematics courses. They require PHYS 103 (Fundamentals of Modern current enrollment in or credit for Students who have an unusually consultation with the instructor and chair of the department. Requirements for the Major The program for a major in physics consists of the following: l l l PHYS 111 and 112, or 115 and 116 (115 and 116 recommended); 223; 224; 231; 445 One additional unit selected from physics courses numbered above 300 and including PHYS 332, 335, or 441. MATH 111; 112; 221; either 224 or 333. Additional physics courses may be elected; a student preparing for graduate study in physics should enroll in several advanced physics courses in addition to the minimum requirements and may wish to take further work in mathematics and chemistry. Honors work in physics involves directed research on a specific topic in experimental physics, theoretical physics, or the history of physics, culminating in a written thesis, an oral presentation to a departmental colloquium, and a written and oral examination by an outside specialist. The Senior Exercise consists of a paper on a topic in physics. Each senior also presents a talk related to the exercise at a physics department colloquium. Note: All courses in physics numbered above 220 have as prerequisites PHYS 111 and 112, or 115 and 116 and MATH 111 and 112, unless otherwise noted. Laboratory work is included in PHYS 111; 112; 115; 116; 223; 224; 231; 442; and 445. Requirements for the Minor The department offers two minors (physics and astronomy), both requiring 2 1/2 units of work in physics. Students considering one of these minors should work with a faculty member in the physics department as the minor is being planned, since some courses are not offered every year. Requirements for the Physics Minor The program for a minor in physics consists of the following: l l PHYS 111 and 112, or 115 and 116 (115 and 116 recommended); PHYS 223 One additional unit selected from physics courses numbered above 220. This minor is open to students with all majors, but may be especially attractive to students in disciplines that have strong ties to physics, such as chemistry, mathematics, and biology. Other combinations of introductory courses may also be acceptable. Note: All courses in physics numbered above 220 have as prerequisites PHYS 111 and 112 (1112) or 115 and 116 (15 and 16) and MATH 111 (11) and 112 (12), unless otherwise noted. Requirements for the Astronomy Minor The program for a minor in astronomy consists of the following: l PHYS 111 and 112, or 115 and 116; 106; 107 l An additional 1/2 unit selected from all physics courses (see suggestions below). There are several options for the choice of the fifth course. PHYS 223 (Fields and Spacetime) and PHYS 224 (Oscillations and Waves) provide further experience with the foundations of physics (note that these two courses have prerequisites in mathematics). Students with interests in instrumentation can choose PHYS 231 (Electronics). Other options may include Independent Study and Special Topics courses related to astronomy. Year Courses Senior Honors PHYS 497-498 (1 unit) Staff This course offers guided experimental or theoretical research for senior honors candidates. Prerequisite: permission of department chair. First-Semester Courses Astronomy: Planets and Moons u PHYS 106 (1/2 unit) Turner, Schumacher An introduction to the modern understanding of the solar system, including planets, moons, and smaller bodies (asteroids, comets, meteorites). Topics include: planetary interiors; surface modification processes; planetary atmospheres; the evolution of the solar system. An evening laboratory will be scheduled. This course is complementary to PHYS 107 (Astronomy and Cosmology). Limited enrollment. No prerequisites. General Physics I u PHYS 111 (1/2 unit) Turner This course is taught through lectures, with one afternoon laboratory per week. A basic introduction to the discipline of physics, the course includes theoretical and experimental work in mechanics, wave phenomena, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, optics, atomic physics, and nuclear physics. College Physics, by Franklin Miller Jr., is the textbook for the course. Three one-hour examinations, one formal laboratory report or other paper, a laboratory examination, and regular problem sets are assigned. A knowledge of calculus is not required. Prerequisites: high-school algebra and trigonometry. All students enrolled in this course must reserve one afternoon each week for the required laboratory. Classical Physics u PHYS 115 (1/2 unit) Sullivan This course is the first in a threesemester, calculus-based introduction to physics. It is taught through lectures, with one afternoon laboratory session per week. Topics include the kinematics and dynamics of particles and solid objects, work and energy, linear and angular momentum, gravitational, electrostatic, and magnetic forces, and usually the theory of single, directcurrent circuits as well. PHYS 115, 116, and 223 are recommended for students who may wish to major in physics, and are also appropriate for students majoring in other sciences and mathematics. The course will include weekly homework assignments, three midterm exams, one formal lab report, and a lab exam. Prerequisite: trigonometry. Co-requisite: MATH 111 or 112 taken concurrently, or equivalent. (While calculus is a corequisite, we will develop the necessary mathematical tools in our lectures as well.) All students enrolled in this course must reserve one afternoon each week for the required laboratory. PHYS 115 is open only to first- and second-year students, or by permission of the instructor. Fields and Spacetime PHYS 223 (1/2 unit) Schumacher This course is the third semester of the calculus-based introductory sequence in physics, which begins with PHYS 115 and PHYS 116. It is taught through lectures, with one afternoon laboratory session per week. Topics covered include electric charge, electric and magnetic fields, electrostatic potentials, Ampere’s law, electromagnetic induction, Maxwell’s equations in integral form, electromagnetic waves, the postulates of the special theory of relativity, relativistic kinematics and dynamics, and the connections between special relativity and electromagnetism. This course may be an appropriate first course for students with advanced placement in physics or two years of high-school physics; such students should contact the chair of the physics department. Prerequisites: PHYS 115 (15) or equivalent and MATH 111 (11). All students enrolled in this course must reserve one afternoon each week for the required laboratory. Classical Mechanics PHYS 335 (1/2 unit) Greenslade This is an analytic course in physical mechanics. Topics include the general theory of Newtonian mechanics, fluid statics and dynamics, rigid body motion, Langrangian mechanics, and Hamiltonian mechanics. Prerequisites: PHYS 224 (24) and MATH 221 (21). Quantum Mechanics PHYS 441 (1/2 unit) Sullivan This course presents an introduction to theoretical quantum mechanics. Topics to be covered include wave mechanics, the Schrödinger equation, angular momentum, the hydrogen atom, and spin. Prerequisites: PHYS 223 (23), 224 (24), and MATH 221 (21). Advanced Laboratory in Experimental Physics PHYS 445 (1/2 unit) Idoine This advanced course in experimental physics includes extensive laboratory work and the theory and methods of data analysis. Students will gain experience with nuclear detection equipment, x-ray diffraction and fluorescence techniques, noise reduction using phase-sensitive detection, computer data acquisition and analysis in Fortran and/or C, Fourier techniques in optics, and use of superconducting quantum interference devices. Prerequisites: PHYS 223 (23), 224 (24), and 231 (31). Individual Study PHYS 493 (1/2 unit) Staff The student may conduct special experimental or theoretical work on advanced topics in physics. Prerequisites: permission of instructor and department chair. Second-Semester Courses Natural Philosophy u PHYS 101 (1/2 unit) Greenslade This is a lecture course with evening laboratories. The course is designed for nonscience majors who wish to study topics in acoustics and optics. It starts with general discussions of oscillations and waves, and then applies these ideas to a number of examples, including human vision and hearing, cameras, theater lighting instruments, optical illusions, and architectural and musical acoustics. These are placed in historical contexts when appropriate. The text for the course is College Physics, by Franklin Miller Jr. Required work includes two examinations, regular problem assignments, and a paper relating course material to an area of interest to the student. No prerequisite. General Physics II u PHYS 112 (1/2 unit) Idoine See first semester description for PHYS 111. Modern Physics u PHYS 116 (1/2 unit) Schumacher This course is a calculus-based introduction to the physics of the twentieth century. The course meets for three morning lectures and one afternoon laboratory session per week. Topics include geometrical and wave optics, special relativity, photons, photon-electron interactions, elementary quantum theory (including wave-particle duality, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, and the time-independent Schrödinger equation), atomic physics, solid-state physics, nuclear physics, and elementary particles. PHYS 116 is recommended for students who may wish to major in physics, and is also appropriate for students majoring in other sciences or mathematics. There will be two or three midterm exams, regular homework assignments, one formal laboratory report, and a laboratory exam. Prerequisite: MATH 111 (11) and PHYS 115 (15) or permission of the instructor. Co-requisite: MATH 112 (12) taken concurrently or equivalent. All students enrolled in this course must reserve one afternoon each week for the required laboratory. Complex Systems and Scientific Computing u PHYS 219 (1/2 unit) Schumacher The underlying laws governing nature are usually fairly simple, yet the phenomena of nature are often extremely complex. How can this happen? In this course we discuss several definitions of “complexity” and use computers to explore how simple rules can give rise to complex behavior. We will construct cellular automata and related models to simulate a variety of systems: the growth of random fractals, the spread of forest fires, magnetic materials near phase transitions, the statistics of avalanches, the movements of flocks of birds, and even the formation of traffic jams. A number of common ideas and characteristics will emerge from these explorations. Since the computer is our primary tool, some knowledge of computer programming will be required. Prerequisite: MATH 218 (18) or permission of the instructor. Oscillations and Waves PHYS 224 (1/2 unit) Sullivan The topics of oscillations and waves serve to unify many subfields of physics. This course begins with a discussion of damped and undamped, and free and driven, mechanical and electrical oscillations. Oscillations of coupled bodies and normal modes of oscillations are studied along with the techniques of Fourier analysis and synthesis. It then considers waves and wave equations in continuous and discontinuous media, both bounded and unbounded. The course may also treat properties of special mathematical functions that are the solutions to the various wave equations in certain coordinate systems. Lab experiments focus on the mathematical analysis of oscillating systems, while written lab reports help students learn to express quantitative ideas and explain physical phenomena in words. Prerequisites: MATH 111 (11); 112 (12); 221 (21) (may be taken concurrently), and PHYS 115 (15) or equivalent or permission of instructor. Electronics PHYS 231 (1/2 unit) Greenslade The emphasis of this course is on the two laboratory sessions each week. The accompanying classes provide the theoretical background to the work. The course begins with the study of logic circuits and continues with other digital circuits. Analogue electronics is then investigated using discrete and integrated circuits. Laboratory projects allow the students to try out ideas developed in the formal laboratory work. Prerequisites: MATH 111 (11); 112 (12) (may be taken concurrently); and PHYS 116 (16). Atomic and Nuclear Physics PHYS 442 (1/2 unit) Turner Application of quantum mechanics to atomic, nuclear, and molecular systems. Topics to be covered include atomic and molecular spectra, the Zeeman effect, nuclear structure and reactions, cosmic rays, scattering, and perturbation theory. Prerequisite: PHYS 441. Special Topics: Elementary Particles PHYS 492 (1/2 unit) Idoine All matter consists of leptons and quarks. In this course we will use conservation laws, symmetry arguments, and Feynman diagrams to study these elementary particles and the fundamental strong, weak, and electromagnetic forces. Topics will include the Pauli exclusion principle, fermions and bosons, gluons, hadrons, radioactive decay, high-energy physics, and antimatter. Individual Study PHYS 494 (1/2 unit) Staff The student may conduct special experimental or theoretical work on advanced topics in physics. Prerequisites: permission of instructor and department chair. The following courses will be offered in 20012002: PHYS 107 Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies PHYS 111 and 112 General Physics PHYS 115 Classical Physics PHYS 116 Modern Physics PHYS 223 Fields and Spacetime PHYS 224 Oscillations and Waves PHYS 231 Electronics PHYS 332 Electromagnetic Theory PHYS 333 Thermal and Statistical Physics PHYS 335 Theoretical Mechanics PHYS 336 Optics PHYS 445 Experimental Physics PHYS 493, 494 Individual Study PHYS 497-498 Senior Honors