Physics 123 Class Schedule and Readings
| Week | Topic | Lab(s) |
Reading |
Homework |
| 9 Sep | Electromagnetic Radiation
Polarization Geometric Optics |
Lab 1a: Polarization
Lab 1b: Geometric Optics |
Ch. 23.1 - 23.6
Ch. 24.1 through pg. 842 (up to Interference) Electromagnetic Wave Equation ( Plane Wave Expressions and Traveling Wave Solution ) Electromagnetic Radiation and Electromagnetic Spectrum Polarization at Hyperphysics Geometric Optics Supplement 23.12-14 (posted on Web Assign Course Page) |
Do 23.X.1 - 23.X.6.
Complete Web Assign Homework #1 due 9:00AM Friday, September 11 Do 24.X.1-4, 23.X.7-9 Complete Web Assign Homework #2 due 9:00AM Monday, September 14 Do 23.X.10-12 From Geometric Optics Supplement: Do 23.X.3-4 (pg. 843) Complete Web Assign Homework #3 due 9:00AM Wednesday, September 16 |
| 16 Sep |
Optical Systems
|
Lab 2: Optical Instruments
|
Geometric Optics Supplement 23.15-16
Mirrors at Hyperphysics Optical Systems and Aberrations Reading Telescope Applet |
Homework #4
due Friday, September 18 (on paper) Homework #5 due Monday, September 21 (on paper) Homework #6 due Wednesday, September 23 (on paper) Solutions Posted on Blackboard (Course Documents) |
| 23 Sep | Aberrations
Physical Optics: Interference |
Lab 3: Small Telescopes (Weather Permitting)
Meet Thursday, 7:00pm, Olin Rotunda. Dress warmly! Lab 4: Interference: Abstract and Results sections due Tuesday, Oct 6 For format review, see Chad Orzel's Guide to Formal Lab Reports . Grading will be based on a grading checklist . |
Ch. 24.1 through top of pg 847
Scientific Photographs by Chris Jones: Many nice photos of interference and diffraction. Links to Supplementary Material |
Homework #7
due Monday, September 28 (on paper) Homework #8 due Wednesday, September 30 (paper + WebAssign) |
| 30 Sep | Physical Optics: Diffraction
Diffraction Gratings Resolution Hour Exam 1: Friday, Oct 2 Formula Sheet |
Lab 5: X-Ray Diffraction
Bragg's Law Applet Bragg's Law Description (See also this part for insight into the use of filters in your lab.) Plots and Numerical Results due Monday, Oct 12 Results and Discussion sections due Wednesday, Oct 14 |
Ch. 24.3-24.4
Diffraction Readings at Hyperphysics |
Homework #9 due Monday, Oct 5 Complete lab analysis including plots for Lab 4. Homework #10 due Wednesday, October 7 ( WebAssign + on paper) |
| 7 Oct | Energy Quantization
Web Page Term Project Choose topic by Tuesday, Oct 20 |
Lab 6: Temperature and Thermal Equilibrium
Plots and Numerical Results due Monday, Oct 19
Introduction and Discussion sections due Tuesday, Oct 20 |
Ch. 7 Spectra at Astronomynotes.com Hydrogen spectrum at Hyperphysics Periodic Table of Element Spectra Solar Spectrum Stellar Spectral Types |
Homework #11 due Monday, Oct. 12 (on paper) Web Assign Homework #12 due 1:40PM Tuesday, October 13 |
| 14 Oct |
Thermal Energy
Statistical Model of Solids Entropy Maxwell-Boltzman Distribution |
Lab 7: Energy and Velocity Probability Distributions | Ch. 6.4-6.9, 6.13
Ch. 11.1 - 11.5, 11.7 Maxwell Distribution Simulations |
Web Assign Homework #13 due 9:00AM Friday, October 16 Web Assign Homework #14 and Microstates Exercise due 9:00AM Wednesday, October 21 |
| 21 Oct | Maxwell-Boltzman Distribution in a Gas | Lab 8: Stefan-Boltzmann Law
Temperture-Relative Resistance Data Analysis (graphs, results) due Monday, Nov 2 Writeup due Thursday, Nov 5 |
Ch 11.6, 11.8
|
Web Assign Homework #15
and Probability Exercise due 9:00AM Friday, October 23
Web Assign Homework #16 due 5:00PM Monday, October 26 Web Page Project Sources and Outline due Wednesday, Oct 28 |
| 28 Oct |
Equipartition of Energy
Blackbody Distribution Heat Transfer Mechanisms Hour Exam 2: Friday, Oct 30 Formula Sheet | Atoms in Motion Simulations |
Blackbody Radiation Curves
Heat Transfer Mechanisms , including Conduction, Convection, Radiation links. Also see these links: Thermal Conductivity Mean Free Path Ch 12.1- 12.3 |
Homework #17 due Wednesday, Nov. 4 |
| 4 Nov | Kinetic Theory of Gases
Gas Processes Heat Engines |
Lab 9: Heat Engines
Lab sheets due Friday, Nov 13 |
Ch. 12.4 - 12.9 |
Homework #18 due Friday, Nov. 6 Web Assign Homework #19 due 9:00AM Monday, November 9 Work and Heat Class Exercise due Tuesday, Nov. 10 Homework #20 due 9:00AM Wednesday, November 11 |
| 11 Nov | Astronomy Applications
| Web Page Talks:
Monday, November 16 1. Erin: Solar Sails 2. Anna: Hot Jupiters 3. Pam: Black Holes Tuesday, November 17 1. Rob: Interstellar Dust 2. Ana: Energy Transport in Stars 3. Archie: Solar Power 4. Dillon: Laser |
Stellar Convection Animations Energy Transfer in the Sun |
Homework #21 due 9:00AM Tuesday, November 17 (not collected) |
| 18 Nov | Final Exam
Thursday, Nov 19, 8:30am Formula Sheet |
Last Updated: November 16, 2009