Time Schedule:
Oscar E Vilches
PHYS 116
Seattle Campus
Basic principles of physics presented without use of calculus. Suitable for students majoring in technically oriented fields other than engineering or the physical sciences. Sound, light, and modern physics. Credit is not given for both 116 and 123. Prerequisite: PHYS 115 or 122; recommended: concurrent registration in PHYS 119. Offered: AWSpS.
Class description
This third quarter of algebra-based introductory physics will focus on the understanding of oscillations, waves and relatively modern physics. Information (momentum, angular momentum, energy) is transmitted from one person or place to another person or place mostly by waves, be them sound waves, water waves, electromagnetic waves, or matter waves. This course explores the sources, receptors, and transmitters of waves, and how these concepts were changed when quantum mechanics was introduced. Topics include oscillations, sound, electromagnetic waves, light, X- and gamma rays, simple optics, interference of waves, elementary atomic physics, electrons as waves, and the basic ideas of radiation and radiactive decay.
Student learning goals
Familiarization with different types of waves and their properties
Oscillations as sources, transmitters and receptors of waves
Superposition of waves leading to well known phenomena of interference
Changes introduced in classical physics the early 1900s with the recognition of quantum phenomena
The basic ideas behind radiactive decay, radiation, and shielding
General method of instruction
Four lectures per week, except on three exam days. Class participation encouraged by use of ITT "clickers" for instant multiple choice problem solving and feedback. Computer-graded homework plus other problems assigned weekly.
Recommended preparation
Students should have had the first two quarters of introductory physics, at UW they are Phys 114 (Mechanics) and 115 (Thermodynamics, Electricity and Magnetism)
Class assignments and grading
Please go to class web site and check Syllabus
Please go to class web site and check Syllabus
