Physics 320 Modern Physics Fall (12) 2007
Instructor: Mark Taylor Office: Gerstacker 118
Phone: 569-5241
email: taylormp
Office Hours: MW 4:15-6:00; Tues. 1:30-6:00, Thurs. 8:00-12:00; Sunday 2:00-6:00
Physics Study Session: Thursday evening 6:00-9:00 in Gerstacker 123
Meeting Times: MWF 9:30-10:50; Gerstacker 10
Textbook: "Nonclassical Physics" by Randy Harris
Course Overview: This course will provide an introduction to the
fundamental concepts of "modern" physics. In particular we will study the theories of special
relativity, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics. These new theories, developed primarily
in the 20th century, are conceptually more difficult to grasp than those of
classical physics since they are not in accord with our everyday physical intuition. Thus we must develop a new intuition
based on the equations of this new physics. In the laboratory part of this course you will have the
opportunity to carry out some of the classic experiments that stymied the
"old physics" and demanded the invention of a "new
physics".
Links to pdf files:
Course Information Sheet
Syllabus Lab Schedule
Downloadable Software:
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