General Physics III

Catalog description

This course is the third course in a three-semester sequence of university level physics (PHY- 2020, PHY-2030, PHY-2040) for a variety of majors, including but not limited to engineering, mathematics, and science. This course is a calculus-based study of oscillations, wave phenomena, and modern physics. Students investigate wave phenomena, optics, and modern physics through mathematical modeling, conceptual analysis, and laboratory experiments. They solve problems involving the behavior of light by applying its wave and particle characteristics and utilizing Maxwell's Laws. Students analyze atomic and molecular structure using quantum numbers and Pauli's exclusion principle, explore nuclear forces and reactions, and examine the processes behind radioactive decay. They compare relativistic and nonrelativistic motion and use the special theory of relativity to predict the behavior of objects at high speeds. Students also apply Schrödinger's equation to understand quantum tunneling and bound states. Through these investigations, students refine their ability to connect theory with physical systems, communicate scientific reasoning, and analyze experimental data through identifying discrepancies between expected and observed outcomes. This course deepens students' understanding of the laws of nature through problem solving and experimentation.