Physics 123 Class Schedule and Readings
| Week | Topic | Lab(s) |
Reading |
Homework |
| 5 Sep | Electromagnetic Radiation
Polarization Geometric Optics |
Lab 1a: Polarization
Lab 1b: Geometric Optics |
Waves from Hyperphysics:
Nexus site: Electromagnetic Radiation Nice animation of EM field of accelerated charge Polarization at Hyperphysics |
Complete Homework #1
due Friday, September 7
Complete Homework #2 due Monday, September 10 Complete Homework #3 due Wednesday, September 12 |
| 12 Sep |
Geometric Optics
Paraxial Theory, Aberrations Optical Systems |
Lab 2: Optical Instruments |
Chapter 01-05 Camera and Eye at Hyperphysics Aberrations at Hyperphysics Derivation of refraction with spherical aberration + Coma images |
Complete Homework #4
due Friday, September 14
Complete Homework #5 due Monday, September 17 Complete Homework #6 due Wednesday, September 19 |
| 19 Sep | Optical Systems
Polarization by Reflection & Refraction Physical Optics: Interference September 25 and 26 (Tuesday and Wednesday): Arecibo Remote Observing (in N332) 21h30-03h15 |
Lab 3: 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.) Writeup due Monday, Oct 1. Please see lab writing instructions linked on Nexus page . |
Interference and Diffraction at Hyperphysics |
Complete Homework #7 due Friday, September 21 Complete Homework #8 due Monday, September 24 Complete Homework #9 due Wednesday, September 26 |
| 26 Sep | Physical Optics: Diffraction
Diffraction Gratings No class Wednesday, Sept 26 Hour Exam 1: Friday, Sept 28 Formula Sheet Web Page Term Project Select topic by Wednesday, Oct 17 |
Lab 4: Temperature and Thermal Equilibrium | Diffraction at Hyperphysics
Diffraction Reading posted on Nexus Scientific photos, including NICE diffraction photos, by Chris Jones |
Complete Homework #10 due Wednesday, Oct 3 |
| 3 Oct | Circular Apertures & Resolution
Radiation Pressure Thermal Energy |
Lab Exercises:
Atoms in Motion |
Resolution at Hyperphysics
Reading "Thermal Energy" posted on Nexus Chapter T1 from text Reading "Energy in Bonds" posted on Nexus Reading "Energy Quantization" posted on Nexus Spectra at Astronomynotes.com Periodic Table of Element Spectra Solar Spectrum Stellar Spectral Types |
Complete Homework #11 due Friday, Oct 5
Complete Homework #12 due Monday, Oct 8 Complete Homework #13 due Wednesday, Oct 10 |
| 10 Oct | Specific Heat Capacity
Kinetic Theory of Gases Gas Processes |
Class Exercise: Heat and Work in Constrained Gas Processes
Lab 5 |
Chapter T2, T3 | Complete Homework #14 due Friday, Oct 12
Complete Homework #15 due Monday, Oct 15 Complete Homework #16 due Wednesday, Oct 17 |
| 17 Oct |
Heat Transfer Mechanisms
Maxwell-Boltzman Distribution Blackbody Distribution |
Lab 6: Stefan-Boltzmann Law Temperature-Relative Resistance Data |
Heat Transfer Mechanisms
Mean Free Path Chapter T7.1 Maxwell Distribution Simulations Blackbody Radiation Curves |
Complete Homework #17 due Friday, Oct 19
Complete Homework #18 and Friday's Class Exercise for Monday, Oct 22 Complete Homework #19 due Wednesday, Oct 24 |
| 24 Oct | Statistical Model of Solids
Entropy Hour Exam 2: Friday, Oct 26 Formula Sheet |
Lab Exercise: Microstates
Lab 7: Heat Engines |
Chapter T4, T5 | Complete Homework #20 due Wednesday, Oct 31 |
| 31 Oct | Temperature and Entropy
Heat Engines |
|
T6 T8 T9 Carnot Cycle Simulation Links to Example Engines |
Complete Homework #21 due Friday, Nov 2
Complete Homework #22 due Monday, Nov 5 Complete Homework #23 due Wednesday, Nov 7 |
| 7 Nov | Astronomy Applications
|
Web Page Talks
Michael Miceli: Hurricanes and Thermodynamics Alex Clain: Meteor Interactions with the Atmosphere Caleb Novins: Solar Sails Xuanhan Zhao: Binary and Multi-Star Systems Stephen DiIorio: Black Holes |
Stellar Convection Simulations
Convection simulation Energy Transfer in the Sun Stellar Structure Stellar Evolution and Remnants |
|
| 14 Nov | Final Exam: 2:00pm Friday Nov 16
Formula Sheet |
Review Session: Friday, Nov 16, 10:00am |
Last Updated: November 15, 2012