| source Caltech (X) |
level |
department Physics (X) |
The first year of a two-year course in introductory classical and modern physics. Topics: Newtonian mechanics in Ph 1 a; electricity and magnetism, and special relativity, in Ph 1 b, c. Emphasis on physical insight and problem solving. Ph 1 b, c is divided into two tracks: the Practical Track emphasizing practical electricity, and the Analytic Track, which teaches and uses methods of multivariable calculus. Students enrolled in the Practical Track are encouraged to take Ph 8 bc concurrently. Students will be given information helping them to choose a track at the end of fall term. Instructors: Lange, McKeown, Soifer, Politzer.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
An introduction to experimental technique, commonly used in the physical sciences. A variety of topics is presented, including the Maxwell top, electrical and mechanical resonant systems, and radioactivity. Special emphasis is given to data analysis techniques based on modern statistical methods. The course consists of one three-hour laboratory session a week, conferences with the instructor, prelaboratory preparation, and analysis of experimental results. Graded pass/fail; seniors receive letter grades. Only one term may be taken for credit. Instructors: Sannibale, Adhikari.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
A laboratory course dealing with “operational’’ electronics with emphasis on analog electronics. The following topics are studied: RC circuits, electrical oscillations, operational amplifiers, diodes, and transistors. Combining diodes, transistors, and operational amplifiers; computer data acquisitions. The course culminates in a two-week project of the student’s choosing. Instructors: Rice, Sannibale, Adhikari.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
Experiments in electromagnetic phenomena such as electromagnetic induction, properties of magnetic materials, and high-frequency circuits. Mobility of ions in gases; precise measurement of the value of e/m of the electron. Instructors: Rice, Sannibale, Adhikari.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
Experiments in atomic and nuclear physics, including studies of the Balmer series of hydrogen and deuterium, the decay of radio- active nuclei, absorption of X rays and gamma rays, ratios of abun-dances of isotopes, and the Stern-Gerlach experiment. Instructors: Rice, Sannibale, Adhikari.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
A two-term sequence of experiments that parallel the material of Ph 1 bc. It includes measuring the force between wires with a homemade analytical balance, measuring properties of a 1,000-volt spark, and building and studying a radio-wave transmitter and receiver. The take-home experiments are constructed from a kit of tools and electronic parts. Measurements are compared to theoretical expectations. Instructor: Politzer.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
Weekly seminar by a member of the physics department or a visitor, to discuss his or her research at an introductory level; the other class meetings will be used to explore background material related to seminar topics and to answer questions that arise. The course will also help students find faculty sponsors for individual research projects. Graded pass/fail. Instructor: Soifer.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
Introduction to scientific computing with applications to physics. Use of numerical algorithms and symbolic manipulation packages for solution of physical problems. Numerical integration and numerical solution of differential equations of motion. Simulation of orbital mechanics.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
Introduction to numerical algorithms for scientific computing. Root-finding, Runge-Kutta methods, Monte Carlo techniques, numerical solution of partial differential equations, minimization techniques such as neural networks. Applications to problems in classical mechanics and discrete- element electromagnetism.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
Introduction to scientific computing on parallel computers. Introduction to parallel computing and multiprocessing. Message passing on networked workstations. Algorithm decomposition and parallelization. Numerical solution of N-body systems on multiprocessor computers.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
Provides practice and guidance in oral and written communication of material related to contemporary physics research. Students will choose a topic of interest, make presentations of this material in a variety of formats, and, through a guided process, draft and revise a technical or review article on the topic. The course is intended for senior physics majors.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
This research must be supervised by a faculty member, the student’s thesis adviser. Laboratory work is required for this course. Two 15-minute presentations to the Physics Undergraduate Committee are required, one at the end of the first term and the second at the midterm week of the third term. The written thesis must be completed and distributed to the committee one week before the second presentation. Not offered on a pass/fail basis. See Note, below.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
This research must be supervised by a faculty member, your thesis adviser. Two 15-minute presentations to the Physics Undergraduate Committee are required, one at the end of the first term and the second at the midterm week of the third term. The written thesis must be completed and distributed to the committee one week before the second presentation. Not offered on a pass/fail basis. See Note, below.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
Emphasis will be on using basic physics to understand complicated systems. Examples will be selected from properties of materials, geophysics, weather, planetary science, astrophysics, cosmology, biomechanics, etc. Instructors: Phinney, Stevenson.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
A series of introductory one-term, independent courses. Students may register for any particular term or terms.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
This course will review the basic spectroscopy of atoms and molecules, with applications to astrophysics, the terrestrial atmosphere, and the laboratory. Species to be discussed include hydrogen and simple multielectron atoms such as carbon, diatomic and polyatomic molecules, and some solids. Mechanisms and effects determining linewidths and lineshapes will be discussed for laboratory, atmospheric, and astrophysical conditions. Instructor: Phillips.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
A reading and discussion course on topics ranging from the function of single neurons to methods for studying multineural activity in synapses; electrical recording; vision; positron and NMR topography; and neural modeling. Preference is given to physics seniors. Instructor: Pine.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
A laboratory course dealing with “operational’’ electronics with emphasis on analog electronics. The following topics are studied: RC circuits, electrical oscillations, operational amplifiers, diodes, and transistors. Combining diodes, transistors, and operational amplifiers; computer data acquisition. The course culminates in a two-week project of the student’s choosing. Instructors: Rice, Sannibale, Adhikari.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
For course description, see Applied Physics.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
An introduction to ultralow-noise electrical measurements and sensor technology as applied to experimental research. Topics include physical noise processes, signal transduction, synchronous and lock-in detection, digital signal transforms, and other aspects of precision measurements. Specific sensor technologies will include SQUID sensors, single electron transistors, transition-edge sensors, tunnel junction detectors, micro- and nanomechanical detectors, and biosensors. Instructor: Roukes.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
A one-year course in quantum mechanics and its applications, for students who have completed Ph 12 or Ph 2. Wave mechanics in 3-D, scattering theory, Hilbert spaces, matrix mechanics, angular momentum, symmetries, spin-
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
A course in the fundamental ideas and applications of classical and quantum statistical mechanics. Topics to be covered include the statistical basis of thermodynamics; ideal classical and quantum gases (Bose and Fermi); lattice vibrations and phonons; weak interaction expansions; phase transitions; and fluctuations and dynamics. Instructors: Refael, Motrunich.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
Mathematical methods and their application in physics. First term includes analytic and numerical methods for solving differential equations, integral equations, and transforms, and other applications of real analysis. Second term focuses on probability and statistics in physics. Third term covers group theoretic methods in physics. The three terms can be taken independently. Instructors: Porter, Gottschalk.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
A basic course in string theory designed to be accessible to a broad audience. The main topics include the motion of relativistic point particles and strings, actions, world-sheet symmetries and currents, light-cone quantization, and the spectra of relativistic open and closed strings. The course will conclude with an exploration of D-branes, T-duality, or string thermodynamics, depending on student interest. Not offered 2008–09.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page
Applications of classical physics to topics of interest in contemporary “macroscopic’’ physics. Continuum physics and classical field theory; elasticity and hydrodynamics; plasma physics; magnetohydrodynamics; thermodynamics and statistical mechanics; gravitation theory, including general relativity and cosmology; modern optics. Content will vary from year to year, depending on the instructor. An attempt will be made to organize the material so that the terms may be taken independently. Instructor: Thorne.
Score: 8.015305 Details | Listing | Web page