PHYS 202
Vibrations, Waves and Optics
Spring 2020
Division III
Quantitative/Formal Reasoning
This is not the current course catalog
Class Details
Waves and oscillations characterize many different physical systems, including vibrating strings, springs, water waves, sound waves, electromagnetic waves, and gravitational waves. Quantum mechanics even describes particles with wave functions. Despite these diverse settings waves exhibit several common characteristics, so that the understanding of a few simple systems can provide insight into a wide array of phenomena. In this course we begin with the study of oscillations of simple systems with only a few degrees of freedom. We then move on to study transverse and longitudinal waves in continuous media in order to gain a general description of wave behavior. The rest of the course focuses on electromagnetic waves and in particular on optical examples of wave phenomena. In addition to well known optical effects such as interference and diffraction, we will study a number of modern applications of optics such as short pulse lasers and optical communications. Throughout the course mathematical methods useful for higher-level physics will be introduced.
The Class:
Format: lecture/laboratory; lecture three hours per week and laboratory three hours per week
Limit: none
Expected: 20
Class#: 3866
Grading: yes pass/fail option, yes fifth course option
Limit: none
Expected: 20
Class#: 3866
Grading: yes pass/fail option, yes fifth course option
Requirements/Evaluation:
problem sets, labs, two one-hour tests, and a final exam, all of which have a substantial quantitative component
Prerequisites:
PHYS 201; co-requisite: PHYS/MATH 210 or MATH 209 or permission of instructor
Enrollment Preferences:
none
Distributions:
Division III
Quantitative/Formal Reasoning
Class Grid
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HEADERS
Column header 1
CLASSESColumn header 2DREQColumn header 3INSTRUCTORSColumn header 4TIMESColumn header 5CLASS#
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PHYS 202 - 01 (S) LEC Vibrations, Waves and Optics
PHYS 202 - 01 (S) LEC Vibrations, Waves and OpticsDivision III Quantitative/Formal ReasoningMWF 10:00 am - 10:50 am
Physics 2053866 -
PHYS 202 - 02 (S) LAB Vibrations, Waves and Optics
PHYS 202 - 02 (S) LAB Vibrations, Waves and OpticsDivision III Quantitative/Formal ReasoningT 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
3867 -
PHYS 202 - 03 (S) LAB Vibrations, Waves and Optics
PHYS 202 - 03 (S) LAB Vibrations, Waves and OpticsDivision III Quantitative/Formal ReasoningW 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
3868
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