Download Physics - Kenyon College

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