Optics, Heat, & Modern Physics

Catalog description

This course is the third semester of a three-semester sequence of calculus-based introductory physics for scientists and engineers. The course builds a strong foundation in wave and geometrical optics; thermal physics, including the laws of thermodynamics and their microscopic origin; special relativity; early quantum theory and the wave mechanics function approach of modern quantum theory with simple applications to atomic and molecular physics. Topics include properties, interference, and diffraction of EM waves; reflection, refraction, and image formation by lenses and mirrors; heat transfer; the kinetic theory of gases; entropy and irreversibility; laws of thermodynamics; the postulates of special relativity and their consequences; relativistic momentum and energy and application to nuclear fission and fusion; blackbody radiation; discrete spectra of atoms and the photoelectric effect; the structure of the atom; de Broglie's hypothesis; Schrodinger's equation with applications to the 1D infinite well; the quantum harmonic oscillator and molecular vibrations; the hydrogen atom; quantum tunneling; lasers; and the periodic table. This course requires a graphing calculator.