Aaron Reinhard

For many centuries, both scientists and artists have pondered the myriad compositions of light, including rainbows, shadows, colors and mirages. While the beauty of these phenomena is fascinating, it is also rewarding to grapple with the underlying theory that explains them. In this course, students explore how light can be modelled as a ray, wave or particle, and use these ideas to explain concepts such as reflection, refraction, scattering, diffraction and absorption. Several in-class laboratory exercises strengthen the conceptual understanding of light. Throughout the course, the focus is to explain various phenomena, ranging from fiber-optic technology to pointillism. A final project, which synthesizes the conceptual understanding of light, is required, and students are encouraged to follow their interests, through various forms, in order to fulfill it. This course is not open to physics majors. No prerequisite.

Nuclear power produces needed energy, but nuclear waste threatens our future. Nuclear weapons make us strong, but dirty bombs make us vulnerable. Nuclear medicine can cure us, but nuclear radiation can kill us. Radiocarbon dating tells us about the past, but it can challenge religious faith. This course is designed to give each student the scientific knowledge necessary to understand and participate in public discussions of nuclear issues. The concepts include classification of nuclei; the types of energy (radiation) released in nuclear reactions; the interactions of that radiation with matter, including human health effects; and the design of nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons. Hands-on demonstrations and experiments explore radioactive decay, antimatter, transmutation of atoms, nuclear detectors and interactions of radiation with matter. We apply the core concepts to understanding contemporary issues, such as electric power generation using nuclear energy, including its environmental effects; advances in nuclear medicine; the challenges of preventing nuclear weapons proliferation; the threat of "dirty bombs"; and dating the universe. We also cover the history of the Manhattan Project and the use of nuclear weapons that brought an end to World War II. The course offers a field trip to at least one significant nuclear site in Ohio. This course is not open to physics majors without permission from the instructor. No prerequisite.\n

This laboratory course meets one afternoon each week and is organized around weekly experiments that explore the phenomena of classical mechanics and electromagnetism, including motion, forces, fluid mechanics and conservation of energy and momentum. Lectures cover the theory and instrumentation required to understand each experiment. Experimental techniques emphasize computerized acquisition and analysis of video images to study motion. Students are introduced to computer-assisted graphical and statistical analysis of data as well as the analysis of experimental uncertainty. Except in rare instances, this course does not count toward the physics major. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in PHYS 130 (or PHYS 140 for sophomores enrolled in PHYS 140). Offered every fall.

This course is the second in a one-year introductory physics sequence. Topics include wave phenomena, geometrical and physical optics, elementary quantum theory, atomic physics, X-rays, radioactivity, nuclear physics and thermodynamics. When possible, examples relate to life science contexts. The course combines lectures, in-class exercises, homework assignments and examinations. Knowledge of calculus is not required. This course does not count toward the physics major. Prerequisite: PHYS 130 and concurrent enrollment in PHYS 136. Offered every spring.

This laboratory course meets one afternoon each week and is organized around weekly experiments that explore the phenomena of waves phenomena, geometrical and physical optics, elementary quantum theory, atomic physics, X-rays, radioactivity, nuclear physics and thermodynamics. Lectures cover the theory and instrumentation required to understand each experiment. Students continue to develop skills in computer-assisted graphical and statistical analysis of data as well as the analysis of experimental uncertainty. This course does not count toward the physics major. Prerequisite: PHYS 131 and concurrent enrollment in PHYS 135. Offered every spring.

This lecture course is the first in a three-semester, calculus-based introduction to physics (PHYS 140, 145 and 240). Topics include the kinematics and dynamics of particles and solid objects; work and energy; linear and angular momentum; and gravitational, electrostatic and magnetic forces. PHYS 140 is recommended for students who might major in physics and is appropriate for students majoring in other sciences and mathematics, particularly those who are considering careers in engineering. The course combines lectures, in-class exercises, homework assignments and examinations. This course is required for the physics major. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment or credit for MATH 111, or equivalent, and concurrent enrollment in PHYS 141 (first-year students) or PHYS 131 (sophomore students). Open only to first-year and sophomore students. Offered every fall.

This course extends the formalism of quantum mechanics and applies it to a variety of physical systems. Topics covered may include atomic and molecular spectra, nuclear structure and reactions, NMR, scattering, perturbation theory, quantum optics, open-system dynamics and quantum entanglement. This counts toward the theoretical elective for the major. Prerequisite: PHYS 360. Offered every other spring.

This introduction to thermodynamics and statistical mechanics focuses on how microscopic physical processes give rise to macroscopic phenomena; that is, how, when averaged, the dynamics of atoms and molecules can explain the large-scale behavior of solids, liquids and gases. We extend the concept of conservation of energy to include thermal energy (heat) and develop the concept of entropy for use in determining equilibrium states. We then apply these concepts to a wide variety of physical systems, from steam engines to superfluids. This counts toward the theoretical elective for the major. Prerequisite: PHYS 245 and MATH 213. Offered every other fall.

Modern field theories may find their inspiration in the quest for understanding the most fundamental forces of the universe, but they find crucial tests and fruitful applications when used to describe the properties of the materials that make up our everyday world. In fact, these theories have made great strides in allowing scientists to create new materials with properties that have revolutionized technology and our daily lives. This course includes crystal structure as the fundamental building block of most solid materials; how crystal lattice periodicity creates electronic band structure; the electron-hole pair as the fundamental excitation of the "sea" of electrons; and Bose-Einstein condensation as a model for superfluidity and superconductivity. Additional topics are selected from the renormalization group theory of continuous phase transitions, the interaction of light with matter, magnetic materials and nanostructures. There will be a limited number of labs on topics such as crystal growth, X-ray diffraction as a probe of crystal structure, specific heat of metals at low temperature, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. This counts toward the theoretical elective for the major. Prerequisite: PHYS 360. Offered every other spring.

This course is an introduction to upper-level experimental physics that will prepare students for research in physics and for work in industrial applications of physics. Students will acquire skills in experimental design, observation, material preparation and handling, and equipment calibration and operation. The experiments will be selected to introduce students to concepts, techniques, and equipment useful in understanding physical phenomena across a wide range of physics sub-disciplines, with the two-fold goal of providing students with a broad overview of several branches of experimental physics and preparing students to undertake experiments found in the successor courses, Phys 386 and 387.\n \nThe experiments in this course will center on investigations of physical phenomena with detailed experimental analysis, careful consideration of experimental uncertainty and sources of experimental error, and reflection on the experimental results themselves and the techniques employed to achieve them. Each of the experiments will provide an opportunity to practice thorough procedural and communication skills, via careful written records of observations, reports of results, and oral conferences.

This course builds on the foundation begun in Phys 385, extending students’ experience with a variety of branches of experimental physics and helping students develop their ability to apply physical theory to the analysis of experimental data. Through their work on experiments in this course students will expand their ability to conduct experimental measurement and investigation, learning to read and interpret documentation and work more independently, while continuing to hone skills in experimental design, observation, material preparation and handling, and equipment calibration and operation.\n \nThe experiments in this course will center on investigations of physical phenomena with opportunities for creative design as well as chances for detailed experimental analysis, careful consideration of experimental uncertainty and sources of experimental error, and reflection on the experimental results themselves and the techniques employed to achieve them. Each of the experiments will provide an opportunity to practice thorough procedural and communication skills, via careful written records of observations, reports of results, and oral conferences. Students who have already completed Advanced Experimental Physics 3 will perform a new set of experiments in this course.

This course builds on the foundation begun in Phys 385, extending students’ experience with a variety of branches of experimental physics and helping students develop their ability to apply physical theory to the analysis of experimental data. Through their work on experiments in this course students will expand their ability to conduct experimental measurement and investigation, learning to read and interpret documentation and work more independently, while continuing to hone skills in experimental design, observation, material preparation and handling, and equipment calibration and operation.\n \nThe experiments in this course will center on investigations of physical phenomena with opportunities for creative design as well as chances for detailed experimental analysis, careful consideration of experimental uncertainty and sources of experimental error, and reflection on the experimental results themselves and the techniques employed to achieve them. Each of the experiments will provide an opportunity to practice thorough procedural and communication skills, via careful written records of observations, reports of results, and oral conferences. Students who have already completed Advanced Experimental Physics 2 will perform a new set of experiments in this course.

This course offers guided experimental or theoretical research for senior honors candidates. Students enrolled in this course are automatically added to PHYS 498Y for the spring semester. Permission of instructor and department chair required, as is cumulative GPA above the College-mandated minimum.

This course offers guided experimental or theoretical research for senior honors candidates. Permission of instructor and department chair required, as is cumulative GPA above the College-mandated minimum.