P101: PHYSICS IN THE MODERN WORLD
Fall Semester, 1999

A course in modern physics: 
      The Ideas:  Relativity, Quantum Mechanics 
     The Language:  Mathematics, Energy 
      The Impacts:  Environment and Technology 

The Course: P101 
     Physics in the Modern World  (4 CR) 

When: Fall 1999, 9:05 MWF 
Where: Swain West 007 

The Instructor: Ben Brabson 
Professor of Physics, Tel: 855-3881 
E-mail: brabson@indiana.edu 
 
          Blood Hill, Norfolk, UK

Goals of the course: One of the great beauties of our world is that a simple quantitative approach to it meets with substantial success.  The first goal of this course in physics is to exercise this quantitative approach in confronting new problems and puzzles in this world of ours.  We begin by understanding the regularities of this world. This puts us in position to examine its anomalies or irregularities and, to increase our understanding by a careful examination of these anomalies.  Ultimately, understanding how to approach problems in physics expands our repertory of approaches to problems in a wide variety of fields outside of physics and even outside of science.

    An important portion of this approach to new problems is experimental.  There is no more direct way to understand the nature of Nature than by carefully observation and measurement.  Therefore, we make certain that the laboratory portion of this course extends your reach as careful measurers and observers.  This experimental approach to the world is invaluable.  This course is designed to accomplish this second goal, as well.

Your Major: P101 Physics in the Modern World is appropriate for students in the College of Arts and Sciences, in Business, in Music, and in Education.  Specifically, P101 fulfills the natural and mathematical sciences requirement (NMNS).  It is highly recommended for students with limited laboratory experience who wish to master the highly successful quantitative and experimental approach to problem solving.  This course is not intended for science majors, for whom other course in Physics are available.

Prerequisites for P101 Physics in the Modern World:  You are expected to know some basic algebra (at least 1 year of high school algebra). No trigonometry or calculus is used.

Principal Topics in P101 Physics in the Modern World:

Textbook for P101 Physics in the Modern World:  A likely choice of  textbook for P101 is The Physics of Everyday Phenomena (2nd Edition, WCB/McGraw Hill 1998) by W. Thomas Griffith.

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