First-Year Courses in Physics (Division 444)

Winter Term, 2000 (September 8 - December 22, 1999)

The Physics Department discourages students from changing midstream from Physics 140 to Physics 125 or from Physics 240 to Physics 126, so it is important that students choose the first course of a physics sequence with care. Prospective engineers, physicists, and chemists should elect Physics 140/240 rather than Physics 125/126 because concentration programs in these areas require the Physics 140/240 sequence. In the case of some departmental concentration programs (e.g., biology) or in special individual circumstances, students can elect or are encouraged to elect the Physics 125/126 sequence. Some advisors will advise all students who have had calculus to elect Physics 140/240. Physics 140/240 can be elected by all students who have had calculus, but it should be elected only by students who enjoy solving difficult problems and who think that they will be good at it.

Note: If the Waitlist code on a Physics course is WL:5, then both sign on the waitlist through Touch-tone Registration and contact the department office.

Section 035, 036 – Keller Plan, Self-Paced, Individualized Instruction. No Formal Lectures With These Sections. Important That Students Pick Up Information In 2464 Randall Lab Before Registering For These Sections. Students are encouraged to Elect One Section of Physics 141.

Credits: (4).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

Certain sections of Physics 240 are offered by the Keller Plan, a self-paced program without formal lectures. These sections are marked in the Time Schedule. An information sheet describing the format of Keller Plan offerings is available in the Physics Student Services Office (2464 Randall Lab). Students who want to elect Physics 240 by the Keller Plan should read this information before registering.

Section 001.

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

The purpose of this course is to study the physical aspects of the phenomena that make up the practice and experience of music, as well as to get a glimpse into physics as a mental activity. No previous expertise in either physics or music is required. The main emphasis will be on lecture demonstrations with student participation where feasible. Topics to be covered include: the nature of sound; mechanics of vibration; musical tones and intervals; scales and temperaments; wave motion, interference, and diffraction; propagation of sound through pipes; physics of brass instruments; physics of woodwind instruments; physics of string instruments; physics of the piano; and high-fidelity sound reproduction. A graduate-credit option (Physics 489) is available by supplementing the regular course with an appropriate independent project.