courses of instruction - Lafayette College

PHYSICS
stressed, but considerable emphasis is
placed on problem solving. Together with
Physics 111, this course satisfies require
ments for medical school, B.S. majors in
biology and computer science, and A.B.
majors in biology, chemistry, geology, and
engineering, but not B.S. majors in engi
neering, chemistry, geology, or physics.
Requires high school algebra and trigo
nometry; Mathematics 125 is recommend
ed. Prerequisite: Physics 111. Satisfies the
A.B. lab science requirement. Offered in
spring semester. Mr. Dougherty
121. The Dynamics of Particles. A rigor
ous introduction to the study of physics
designed primarily for science majors; a
foundation on which an understanding of
physics, physical chemistry, or engineer
ing can be built. Kinematics and dynamics
with emphasis on conservation laws for
linear momentum, angular momentum,
and energy. A calculus-based course satis
fying degree requirements in all B.S. or
A.B. degree programs, including the A.B.
lab science requirement. Prerequisite or
corequisite: Mathematics 161. Offered in
fall semester. Mr. Novaco
122. Thermodynamics and Waves. A rig
orous introduction to the study of physics
designed primarily for science majors; a
foundation on which an understanding of
physics, physical chemistry, or engineer
ing can be built. Thermodynamics, har
monic motion, and wave propagation; ray
optics, interference and diffraction. A cal
culus-based course satisfying degree re
quirements in all B.S. or A.B. degree pro
grams, including the A.B. lab science re
quirement. Prerequisites: Physics 121 or
131; Mathematics 161. Corequisite: Mathe
matics 162. Offered in spring semester.
Mr. Novaco
131. Newtonian Dynamics. A rigorous
introduction to the study of physics pri
marily designed for engineering majors; a
foundation on which an understanding of
engineering, physics, or physical chemis
try can be built. Kinematics and dynamics
with emphasis on conservation laws for
linear momentum, angular momentum,
156
and energy. A calculus-based course satis
fying degree requirements in all B.S. or
A.B. degree programs, including the A.B.
lab science requirement. Prerequisite:
Mathematics 161. Corequisite: Mathemat
ics 162. Offered in spring semester. Staff
132. Electricity and Magnetism. A rigor
ous introduction to the study of physics
primarily designed for engineering and
science majors; a foundation on which an
understanding of engineering, physics, or
physical chemistry can be built. Electro
statics, electric currents, magnetostatics,
electromagnetic oscillations, and waves.
A calculus-based course satisfying degree
requirements in all B.S. or A.B. degree pro
grams, including the A.B. lab science re
quirement. Prerequisite: Physics 121 or 131.
Corequisite: Mathematics 263. Offered in
spring semester. Staff
215. Introduction to Quantum Physics.
The study of the basic concepts needed to
understand the physics of the atom, the
nucleus, the solid state of matter, and ele
mentary particles. The course begins with
the experimental basis and early develop
ment of quantum theory including:
Planck's theory of blackbody radiation,
the photon, Bohr's theory and atomic
spectra, DeBroglie's theory and matter
waves, and electron diffraction. The foun
dations of modern quantum theory are
then developed with emphasis on the
wave function and its probabilistic inter
pretation, the time-independent Schrod-
inger equation in one dimension, and ap
plications of quantum mechanics to sim
ple model systems. The course concludes
with a discussion of the hydrogen atom,
multielectron systems, atomic spectra, and
the Pauli exclusion principle. Prerequisite:
Physics 122 or 132. Offered in fall semes
ter. Staff
216. Topics in Contemporary Physics.
An application of the concepts of quantum
physics introduced in Physics 215 and the
theory of relativity to several areas of con
temporary physics. Topics include quan
tum statistics, molecular spectra, lasers,
introductory solid state physics, models of