Physics 201: Fundamentals of Physics III

Course Instructor - Winter 2010/2011: Prof. Brigita Urbanc

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

	Lectures:	RANDEL 327, MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS: 9:00-9:50 am
	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.37: Relativity (contd)
  Ch.38: Photons, Electrons, and Atoms (contd)
  Ch.39: The Wave Nature of Particles
  Important: Make-Up Labs on 03/11/2011---Contact Prof. Trout (st92l7c3@drexel.edu)!
  

• WEEK 9 TOPICS:
  Ch.37: Relativity (contd)
  

• WEEK 8 TOPICS:
  Ch.37: Relativity
  

• WEEK 7 TOPICS:
  Ch.38: Photons, Electrons, and Atoms (contd)
  

• WEEK 6 TOPICS:
  Chs.35/36: Diffraction & Interference (contd)
  Ch.38: Photons, Electrons, and Atoms
  

• WEEK 5 TOPICS:
  Ch.32: Electromagnetic Waves (contd)
  Chs.35/36: Diffraction & Interference
  

• WEEK 4 TOPICS:
  Ch.16: Sound and Hearing (contd)
  Ch.32: Electromagnetic Waves
  

• WEEK 3 TOPICS:
  Ch.16: Sound and Hearing
  

• WEEK 2 TOPICS:
  Ch.15: Mechanical Waves
  

• WEEK 1 TOPICS:
  Ch.13: Period Motion
  

REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION

• TEXTBOOK:
  Young & Freedman:
  University Physics, 12th Edition
  Pearson/Addison Wesley, 2007
  ISBN-10: 080532187X; ISBN-13: 978-0805321876
  


• UPDATED SYLLABUS (01/24/2011).

RECITATIONS (TA Assignment)

Benjamin Coy (btc24@drexel.edu)
Helenka Casler (helenka.i.casler@drexel.edu, hic27@drexel.edu)