NATS 1223        UNIVERSITY of DENVER         Autumn 2002

21st Century Physics and Astronomy

4 credit hours

 

Davor Balzar, Department of Physics and Astronomy

Physics Building #105, 303-871-2137, balzar@du.edu

http://www.du.edu/~balzar

 

Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday 11:30-12:30

 

Class schedule: Tuesday and Thursday 10:00-11:30 Boettcher Center East 209

 

Required textbooks:

  • Paul G, Hewitt: Conceptual Physics, 9th ed., Addison-Wesley, 2002.
  • Richard Turton: The Quantum Dot, Oxford University Press, 1996.
  • Lab Manual for NATS 1223.

 

Goals and objectives:

  • Grasp the basic principles of scientific thinking, theory and measurement
  • Understand basic building blocks in nature
  • Learn about electrical and magnetic properties of materials
  • Learn the basics of modern electronics
  • Learn about superconductors, levitation, and future of “light rail”
  • Hear about quantum dots and light computing – future of laptops

 

Grading:

Based on several factors including attendance, participation, and homework (20 %), lab work (30 %), special assignment (20 %), quizzes, and final exam (30 %):

  • Pre-lab assignment (4 lab sections - due every week before lab sections)
  • Lab report (4 lab sections - due every week before the next lab section)
  • Term assignment (describe material of your choice - due on November 12)
  • Homework (follow-up on 3 out of 10 lectures - due before the next class)
  • 1 announced + 1 unannounced quiz
  • Final exam (November 19 at 10 AM)

 

Late-paper and attendance policy:

2 late and 1 missing paper, 1 excused and 1 unexcused absence allowed (grade drops by one level with every additional breach)

Schedule

(Subject to adjustments)

 

 

Week

Lecture

Reading

Homework

Laboratory

1

Structure of  matter - Force

T-1, H-2

H-12, H-5

Lab

Newton’s 3rd law

2

Structure of Matter - Energy

H-3, H-4

H-7, H-11

Lab

Work and energy

3

Conducting electricity

T-2

H-23

Lab

Batteries, bulbs, and current

4

Defects and Semiconductors

T-3, T-4

T-5

Lab

Magnetic force on a current

5

Superconductors, quantum dots and computing

H-24, T-7

T-10, T-9

 

 

 

H - Paul G, Hewitt: Conceptual Physics, 9th ed., Addison-Wesley, 2002.

T - Richard Turton: The Quantum Dot, Oxford University Press, 1996.