PHYS 112 General Physics III (Calculus)
Students will develop an
understanding of general wave phenomena including propagation, superposition,
standing waves, and Fourier series with applications to mechanical,
electromagnetic, and quantum mechanical waves. Students will also investigate
wave intensity, geometric and wave optics, photons and the photoelectric
effect, and a brief introduction to special relativity. Students will refine
their understanding through small group and whole class discussions, class
demonstrations, laboratory experiments, computer simulations, practice problems
and tutorials (involving calculus as needed), and self-reflection. In the
laboratory portion of the course, students will learn to use common physics
equipment (including microcomputer-based sensors), design experiments, analyze
data and uncertainty, develop empirical models of phenomena, and communicate
their results.
Hours Weekly
2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab weekly
Course Objectives
- Recognize intuitive ideas about the behavior of the physical world and refine these ideas
through class discussions and by comparing and contrasting these ideas with results from
experiments and computer simulations.
- Interpret and communicate concepts through written descriptions, equations, graphs, and
diagrams using appropriate symbols, notation, and vocabulary.
- Describe the characteristics, propagation, reflection, and superposition of linear waves both
graphically and mathematically.
- Apply ray, wave, or photon models as appropriate to solve problems involving light interacting
with boundaries, lenses, mirrors, obstructions, openings, and atoms. - Apply the de Broglie wavelength concept to simple examples to calculate quantized energy
levels and explain Heisenberg‘s uncertainty principle. - Identify and operate common laboratory equipment and data gathering tools such as
microphones, function generators, speakers and mechanical oscillators, lenses, and
computer simulations to gather information about a system or phenomenon. - Design experiments, analyze uncertainty, and use experimental results to develop and
assess models and/or to develop empirical equations and communicate these findings both
orally and in writing. - Solve problems accurately by: identifying or estimating essential information and questions,
formulating a solution strategy, applying appropriate analytical and computational techniques
(e.g. spreadsheets, simulations), interpreting the solution physically, and assessing the
reasonableness of the solution (e.g. sign, order of magnitude).
Course Objectives
- Recognize intuitive ideas about the behavior of the physical world and refine these ideas
through class discussions and by comparing and contrasting these ideas with results from
experiments and computer simulations.
- Interpret and communicate concepts through written descriptions, equations, graphs, and
diagrams using appropriate symbols, notation, and vocabulary.
- Describe the characteristics, propagation, reflection, and superposition of linear waves both
graphically and mathematically.
- Apply ray, wave, or photon models as appropriate to solve problems involving light interacting
with boundaries, lenses, mirrors, obstructions, openings, and atoms. - Apply the de Broglie wavelength concept to simple examples to calculate quantized energy
levels and explain Heisenberg‘s uncertainty principle. - Identify and operate common laboratory equipment and data gathering tools such as
microphones, function generators, speakers and mechanical oscillators, lenses, and
computer simulations to gather information about a system or phenomenon. - Design experiments, analyze uncertainty, and use experimental results to develop and
assess models and/or to develop empirical equations and communicate these findings both
orally and in writing. - Solve problems accurately by: identifying or estimating essential information and questions,
formulating a solution strategy, applying appropriate analytical and computational techniques
(e.g. spreadsheets, simulations), interpreting the solution physically, and assessing the
reasonableness of the solution (e.g. sign, order of magnitude).