Physics and Astronomy

Key to Course Numbering

Courses numbered in the 100s and 200s are aimed at first- and second-year students; courses numbered in the 300s and 400s are upper-level.

The second digit of the course number for Physics courses specifies its subfield within the discipline. Courses numbered #0# are courses of general interest; #1# courses (for example PHYS 115 or 415) are in astronomy; #2#, in mechanics; #3#, in electro-magnetism; #4#, in modern physics; #5#, laboratory-focused courses; #6#, mathematical physics; and #7#, thermal physics.

Courses

Courses with * fulfill
General Education requirements

(A-AP) = Arts - Applied

(A-TH) = Arts -
Theoretical/Historical

(A-AR) = Analytical -
Abstract Reasoning

(A-QR) = Analytical -
Quantitative Reasoning

(CP) = Comparative Practices

(D-D) = Diversity - Domestic

(D-I) = Diversity - International

(D-L) = Diversity - Language

(ES) = Earlham Seminar

(IP) = Interpretive Practices

(SI) = Scientific Inquiry

(W) = Wellness

(AY) = Offered in Alternative Year

*PHYS 105 PHYSICS OF SOUND
(3 credits)
A study of the physical principles that underlie the production of sound, with particular emphasis on the behavior of musical instruments and room acoustics. Designed for non-science majors, and assumes no math beyond high school algebra. Non-lab. (A-QR, SI) (AY)

*PHYS 115 DESCRIPTIVE
ASTRONOMY (4 credits)
Descriptive study of the origin and evolution of the universe and the nature of the solar system, the stars and galactic systems. Lab. (A-QR, SI)

*PHYS 120 GENERAL PHYSICS I:
MECHANICS AND HEAT AND
WAVES (4 credits)
The concepts of force, momentum, energy and wave motion are developed and applied to a variety of phenomena ranging from the motion of elementary particles to the motion of the planets. High school algebra and trigonometry are used. Lab. (A-AR, A-QR, SI)

*PHYS 125 ANALYTICAL PHYSICS I: MECHANICS (5 credits)
The concepts of force, heat, and momentum and energy are developed using the techniques of calculus. Other mathematical techniques developed as needed. Lab. Co-requisite: MATH 180 or background in Calculus. (A-AR, A-QR, SI)

*PHYS 150 EARLHAM SEMINAR (4 credits)
Offered for first-year students. Topics vary. (ES)

*PHYS 230 GENERAL PHYSICS II:
ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM, OPTICS AND MODERN PHYSICS (4 credits)
Electrostatics, current electricity, electromagnetism, optics, electromagnetic waves and modern physics are investigated. Lab. Prerequisite: PHYS 120. (A-AR, A-QR, SI)

*PHYS 235 ANALYTICAL PHYSICS II: ELECTROMAGNETISM AND WAVES
(5 credits)
Electrostatics, electromagnetism, electric and magnetic fields, waves and optics are treated using analytical techniques of calculus and vector analysis. Lab. Prerequisite: PHYS 125. Co-requisite: MATH 280. (A-AR, A-QR, SI)

*PHYS 345 INTRODUCTION TO MODERN PHYSICS (4 credits)
An introductory treatment of special relativity, quantum physics, atomic and nuclear physics with elementary classical physics as a foundation. Lab. Prerequisites: MATH 280 and PHYS 235. (SI)

PHYS 350 ELECTRONICS AND INSTRUMENTATION (3 credits)
A laboratory-oriented course dealing with analog and digital circuits. Circuit theory is developed for diodes, transistors and operational amplifiers. During the course, these components are used to construct a range of devices, including power supplies, oscillators and amplifiers. Lab. Prerequisites: PHYS 230 or 235. Also listed as CS 350. (AY)

PHYS 355 ADVANCED PHYSICS LABORATORY (3 credits)
Explores experimental techniques associated with advanced undergraduate physics courses. Some time is devoted to performing standard experiments and some to individual projects. Lab. Prerequisite: PHYS 345.

*PHYS 360 APPLIED MATHEMATICS / THEORETICAL PHYSICS (3 credits)
Students learn the application of mathematical techniques to the study of physical systems. Examines vector analysis, complex variables, Fourier series and boundary value problems. Prerequisites: MATH 320 and 350. Also listed as MATH 360. (A-AR, A-QR)

PHYS 375 THERMAL PHYSICS (3 credits)
Examines basic concepts of thermodynamics such as internal energy, heat, work, temperature, reversibility and entropy. Applies the insights of probability and statistics to examine the kinetic theory of gases, statistical mechanics and distribution functions. Quantum applications include Planck's theory of blackbody radiation and statistics for identical particles. Prerequisites: PHYS 345 and MATH 280. (AY)

PHYS 415 GENERAL RELATIVITY AND COSMOLOGY (3 credits)
A systematic quantitative introduction to the theory of general relativity as applied to systems with spherical symmetry. Considers experimental tests of general relativity and applications of general relativity to the physics of massive stars, black holes and the evolution of the universe. Sometimes presented in seminar format as PHYS 488. Prerequisite: PHYS 345. Offered periodically.

*PHYS 425 ANALYTICAL MECHANICS (3 credits)
Examines statics and dynamics of particles, rigid bodies and continuous media, along with Lagrangian mechanics and normal coordinates. Prerequisites: PHYS 235, MATH 320 and MATH 350. (AY) (SI)

*PHYS 435 CLASSICAL ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM (3 credits)
The development and application of electromagnetic field theory. Topics include electric and magnetic fields, dielectric and magnetic materials, and Maxwell's field equations. Prerequisites: PHYS 235, MATH 320 and MATH 350. (AY) (SI)

PHYS 445 INTRODUCTORY QUANTUM MECHANICS (3 credits)
An introduction to the techniques, problems and interpretation of quantum mechanics. The quantum conditions, Schroedinger's equation and other formulations are applied to the rectangular potential well, the harmonic oscillator and the hydrogen atom. Also considers perturbation theory, identical particles and multiparticle systems. Prerequisites: PHYS 345, MATH 320, MATH 350 or MATH 360. (AY)

PHYS 481 INTERNSHIPS, FIELD STUDIES AND OTHER FIELD EXPERIENCES
(1-3 credits)

PHYS 482 SPECIAL TOPICS (3 credits)
Selected topics determined by the instructor for upper-level study.

PHYS 483 TEACHING ASSISTANTS (1-3 credits)

PHYS 484 FORD/KNIGHT RESEARCH PROJECT (1-4 credits)
Collaborative research with faculty funded by the Ford/Knight Program.

PHYS 485 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-3 credits)
An investigation of a specific problem or topic.

PHYS 486 PHYSICS RESEARCH (1-3 credits)
Qualified students engage in independent research under the direction of a faculty supervisor. The research is typically part of ongoing research projects which in recent years have included a study of X-ray emission from active galactic nuclei, vibrational modes of drumheads and the fabrication of nanobelts for use in analyzing the composition of gases. Offered by special arrangement.

PHYS 488 SENIOR CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE (3 credits)
Students and faculty meet to discuss topics of current interest in physics. These topics may be in some area of physics or in areas in which physics overlaps with other disciplines. Prerequisite: PHYS 375 or PHYS 445.