Physics 201: Fundamentals of Physics III

Course Instructor - Spring 2011/2012: Prof. Brigita Urbanc

This course website is still under construction: Stay tuned for updates!

	Lectures:	DISQUE 103 	
			M & W / 1:00-1:50 pm / Section A 
			M & W / 2:00-2:50 pm / Section B
	Office:		DISQUE 909
	Office Hours:	BY E-MAIL APPOINTMENTS
	Phone:		(215) 895-2726
	e-mail:		brigita@drexel.edu

The course Fundamentals of Physics III introduces the basic conceptual understanding of modern physics needed to keep up with rapidly developing frontiers of science and technology of the 21st century. The end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century faced dramatic changes in understanding of basic physics principles. Prior to this time, physics dealt with Newton's laws of motion and gravitation, Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and kinetic theory. However, new problems surfaced when scientists confronted very high velocities and very small lengthscales. These new puzzles led to new concepts and new theories: special and general relativity, quantum theory, modern models of atoms and molecules, lasers, superconductivity, and more. This course is a serious though relatively non-mathematical introduction to modern physics concepts. The course begins with a mathematical description of mechanical and electromagnetic wave propagation and proceeds to description of wave phenomena, such as interference and diffraction. In quantum mechanics which dominates physical world at small lengthscales the concepts of a particle and wave merge into one dual description. A particle (e.g. an electron) can be treated either as a particle or as a wave, depending on the experimental situation under consideration. Similarly, electromagnetic radiation can be mathematically described either as a wave or a particle (photon). When the relative velocity of an object with respect to the observer approaches the speed of light, special relativity phenomena have to be taken into account. The course covers some of special relativity phenomena such as length contraction, time dilation, relativistic momentum & energy, and mass-energy relationship.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• PHYSICS HELP AVAILABLE DAILY

• WEEK 10 TOPICS:
  Ch.39: Relativity (contd.)
  Ch.41: Quantum Mechanics
  MAKE-UP LAB ON WEDNESDAY 06/06/2012 at 9:00 AM!
  E-mail Prof. Aprelev (aprelev@drexel.edu)
  

• WEEK 9 TOPICS:
  Ch.39: Relativity (contd.)
  EXAM 3 on THURSDAY: (a) Bring Your Calculator and (b) Know Your Recitation Section Number !
  

• WEEK 8 TOPICS:
  Ch.39: Relativity (contd.)
  

• WEEK 7 TOPICS:
  Ch.42: Atomic Physics
  Ch.39: Relativity
  EXAM 2 on THURSDAY: (a) Bring Your Calculator and (b) Know Your Recitation Section Number !
  

• WEEK 6 TOPICS:
  Ch.40: Introduction to Quantum Physics (contd.)
  

• WEEK 5 TOPICS:
  Ch.38: Wave Optics (contd.)
  Ch.40: Introduction to Quantum Physics
  EXAM 1 on THURSDAY: (a) Bring Your Calculator and (b) Know Your Recitation Section Number !
  

• WEEK 4 TOPICS:
  Ch.34: EM Waves (contd.)
  Ch.37: Wave Optics
  

• WEEK 3 TOPICS:
  Ch.17: Sound Waves
  Ch.34: EM Waves
  

• WEEK 2 TOPICS:
  Ch.16: Mechanical Waves
  Ch.18: Superposition and Standing Waves
  

• WEEK 1 TOPICS:
  Ch.15: Oscillatory Motion
  

• WELCOME TO PHYS 201: Fundamentals of Physics III !
  Homework Assignments Via Enhanced Web Assign (EWA) Website
  Serway & Jewett Textbook Package Contains an Access Code for the Account on EWA
  PHYS 201 Class Keys for WebAssign: drexel 1191 0613 (Section A) and drexel 4266 1635 (Section B)
  

REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION

• TEXTBOOK:
  Raymond A. Serway and John W. Jewett
  Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics
  Brooks Cole, 8th Edition (January 11, 2010)
  ISBN-13: 978-1-4390-4844-3
  ISBN-10: 1-4390-4844-4
  TEXTBOOK BUYING/RENTING OPTIONS FLYER


• SYLLABUS----04/08/2012
• What-You-Should-Know-About-PHYS-201-Labs.pdf

RECITATIONS (TA Assignment)

Vinothini Gunasekaran (vg347@drexel.edu),
Sean Lynch (sml72@drexel.edu),
Ryan Michaluk (rmm622@drexel.edu),
Nicholas Ridella (nicholas.ridella@drexel.edu),
John Schreck (jsschreck@gmail.com),
Matthew Voelker (matthew.j.voelker@drexel.edu)

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

You will be using Enhanced Web Assign (EWA) website to complete the homework assignments. Your Serway & Jewett textbook package contains an individual access code for the account on EWA. enter the EWA Website and click on I have a class key button. Choose an option to register as a new student for the PHYS 201 Class. You will be prompted to enter PHYS 201 Class Keys for EWA: drexel 1191 0613 (Section A) and drexel 4266 1635 (Section B).

There are eight (8) homework assignments, due weekly, starting at the end of week 2. Each homework assignment consists of five (5) problems that count towards 100% of the grade and one (1) extra credit assignment that will add additional 20% to the grade if correctly answered. The due day and time is Sundays at 11:59 pm. No extension of this deadline will be granted. It is recommended to start working on the homework assignment several days before the deadline. Note that all homework assignments will be visible and available to you from the first day of classes, 04/02/2012.

It is important that you complete Introduction to Webassign homework before starting the first homework assignment due on 01/22/2012 (due dates for each of the eight homework assignments are posted on the last page of the syllabus). This exercise will allow you to get acquainted with all available features of the EWA online homework system. You do not need to worry---- Introduction to Webassign homework assignment does not count toward your homework grade.

There are student resources available on The Student Help Website. This website includes online manuals and FAQs, a button to chat live with ewa student support staff, an email contact form and phone information.

LABS

Lab Director: Prof. Alexey Aprelev
E-Mail: aprelev@drexel.edu

REGULAR LABS

HONORS LABS

EXAM SCHEDULE

LECTURE NOTES

• PERIODIC MOTION
• MECHANICAL WAVES
• SOUND WAVES
• EM WAVES
• DIFFRACTION & INTERFERENCE
• QUANTUM PHYSICS
• RELATIVITY
• QUANTUM PHYSICS CONTD.
• QUANTUM MECHANICS