PH1130 C-Term 2009
From WPI PhysicsWiki
PH1130 C-Term 2009: Intro to Modern Physics is a survey course that considers pivotal ideas which revolutionized physics at the beginning of the 20th Century: Relativity, Photons, Wave Mechanics, Statistical Physics. Much more so than any previous physics topics you have studied, these concepts are very far removed from "normal" experience. Nevertheless, we will strive to make them real for you.
Contents |
Catalog Description
An introduction to the pivotal ideas and developments of twentieth-century physics. Topics include: special relativity, photoelectric effect, X-rays, Compton scattering, blackbody radiation, DeBroglie waves, uncertainty principle, Bohr theory of the atom, atomic nuclei, radioactivity, and elementary particles. Recommended background: familiarity with material covered in PH 1110 and PH 1120 (or PH 1111 and PH 1121) and completion of MA 1021 and MA 1022.[1]
The textbook for the course is : H. D. Young, R. A. Freedman, and A. L. Ford, University Physics with Modern Physics, 12th Edition, Pearson Education, Inc. San Francisco, 2007. (Complimentary copies kept in the Physics Study Lounge (Olin 118) and at Goddard Library's reserve desk.
Current Instructor/Teaching Information
- Prof. Rafael Garcia -- Organizer, Lecturer and Conf 1 instructor
- Prof. Carol Koleci -- Conference 2 and 3 instructor
Course Calendar
The PH 1130 course calendar C2009 lists the various topics covered in the course. This is linked to lecture materials and notes as available.
Lectures will be recorded and distributed through myWPI.
Class Discussion Page
Homework
- Regular homework is handled through Mastering Physics
- Course Title: ModernPhysics-PH1130C-2009
- Course ID: MPGARCIA56555
- If you are using someone else's Mastering Physics account, please change the student ID number to your own and append your name to the end of your ID, so that I will be able to identify you.
- Questions regarding the homework should be addressed to prof. Garcia on the class discussion page.
- Editing and improving the class's wiki pages counts as extra credit for the homework portion of the grade. To edit some of the main class pages you need to create an account by clicking on the "Log in/create account" icon at the upper right. When you do this please identify yourself by providing your last name and last two numbers of your student identification number.
Labs
- Lab coordinator: Mr. Fred Hutson
- Laboratories and lab assignments are handled through myWPI
- Laboratory instructions can also be read here: Sharepoint:Physicslabs
- Laboratory Schedule:C-Term 2009
Exams
There are two exams scheduled in class on Friday Feb.13 and Friday Mar.6. The format of the exams will primarily be multiple choice, like the suggested conference problems. The questions will often resemble lecture examples, Mastering Physics homework, and previous exams.
Grades
Grades for this course will be based approximately on:
- In-class Exams -- two exams, worth 40% each
- Laboratory and Homework -- 10%
- Conferences -- 10%
To pass the course, you must receive passing marks in all three parts of the course, including having done the lab and turned in an acceptable lab report.
Conference grades will be averaged to 80 % for each section, in order to normalize for instructor differences in grading. Additional information and policies will be provided by your conference instructor.
