Physics of Contemporary Challenges

Syllabus for 2025 Contemporary Challenges

Course name:

Course number:

PH 315.

Instructor:

Ethan Minot

Office hours:

Wed 4:00-5:00pm (Weniger 304F with Theo Cahall: cahallt@oregonstate.edu)
Thurs 4:15-5:15pm (Weniger 304F with Stephanie Poole: poolest@oregonstate.edu)
Fri 4:00-5:00pm (Weniger 417 with Ethan Minot, ethan.minot@oregonstate.edu)

Course credits:

Class meeting times:

3 hours of lecture per week

Prerequisites:

Recommended: PH 211

Course description:

An introduction to thermal and quantum physics in the context of contemporary challenges faced by our society, such as power generation, energy efficiency, and global warming.

Learning resources:

You need access to all three of these books. Unit Q is for quantum, Unit T is for thermal physics.

“Sustainable Energy Without the Hot Air” by David MacKay. Download (Free).
“Six Ideas That Shaped Physics Unit Q” 3rd Edition by Thomas Moore. On Amazon the price should be about $30. Available digitally from the OSU library
“Six Ideas That Shaped Physics Unit T” 3rd Edition by Thomas Moore. On Amazon the price should be about $30. Available digitally From the OSU library

The instructor has collected useful material from these additional resources (recommended reading if you have time):

“Physics for Future Presidents” by Richard Muller
“Global warming: Understanding the Forecast” by David Archer
“Feynman Lectures in Physics, Volume 1” see 41-1, 41-2 and 41-3. (free online edition)
“Megawatts and Megatons” by Garwin and Charpak
“Fundamentals of Atmospheric Radiation” by Craig F. Bohren

Additional resources:
*The Princeton Primers in Climate Series, especially the book in that series on “Planetary Climates” by Andy Ingersoll.

Learning outcomes:

1) Identify and apply physical laws that place practical and fundamental limits on physical processes
2) Estimate the order of magnitude of physical phenomena
3) Describe the role of physical reasoning in solving contemporary societal challenges
4) Use experimental data to calculate single-variable derivatives and integrals
5) Interpret multi-variable symbolic equations, differential equations, and graphs to describe linear and non-linear functional relationships in physical systems
6) Use dimensional reasoning to make sense of graphs and equations
7) Apply the first and second laws of thermodynamics in a variety of real-world systems
8) Recognize processes that are affected by energy quantization and explain how quantization is predicted by the Schrodinger equation
9) Analyze systems in which energy flow is driven by thermal radiation
10) Analyze nuclear physics phenomena using electrostatic potential energy, strong force interaction energy, and quantum zero-point energy

Course content:

Homework

Weekly homework will be assigned. Problems will include text-book type problems, and also reading assignments.

There is a 10% penalty on any homework that is turned in after the 8pm deadline on Fridays. There is a 50% penalty on homework that is turned in after the solutions have been posted.

When calculating the final homework score, I will drop the lowest score. This gives you flexibility to miss one homework if you need to.

Pay attention to the presentation of your homework solutions---physical insight and clear explanations are as important as mathematical manipulation. Clarity, logical structure, spelling, grammar, and neatness contribute to the overall assessment. Please read this Writing answers to HW questions write up. Make your solutions a model that another student could learn from. Any submitted homework that does not meet a minimum standard of clarity will receive zero credit!

Collaboration Ground Rules

Science is inherently a social and collaborative effort. Scientists discuss, collaborate and build on each others ideas. Collaboration and exchange of ideas is healthy, but you must not engage in plagiarism (representing someone else's work as your own), and you must not use resources that are “off limits”:

Each student is expected to turn in assignments that have been independently synthesized and written. This applies also to computer tasks. Ask questions and discuss with classmates, but never copy an answer without providing your own synthesis and interpretation. If you have discussed a problem with a classmate, add the phrase “I thank ___ ____ for helpful discussions about this problem”. When helping your peers, do so by discussing and explaining, not simply providing an answer to be copied.
“Off-limits” resources include homework solutions from previous years. You are on your honor not to use them. Never to share your own homework solutions or model answers with other students (now or in the future).
You are welcome to use textbook resources and internet resources that teach general principles (Wikipedia and Khan academy are examples of resources that teach general principles). If you follow a line of reasoning from a textbook, reference it properly. You may want to revisit the references later. The reference will also help the instructor understand your approach.

Course Expectations and Policies

If you are ill (or caring for someone who is): I am here to support your success. Please reach out to me directly if you are concerned about your ability to engage in course activities while you are ill (email Ethan.Minot@oregonstate.edu). You need not disclose private medical information or provide documentation of your illness. The Student Care Office, which is part of the Office of the Dean of Students can also assist you if you are navigating extenuating life circumstances including but not limited to prolonged illness, hospitalization, financial concerns, etc.

Academic calendar:

All students are subject to the registration and refund deadlines as stated in the Academic Calendar: https://registrar.oregonstate.edu/osu-academic-calendar

Statement regarding students with disabilities:

Accommodations for students with disabilities are determined and approved by Disability Access Services (DAS). If you, as a student, believe you are eligible for accommodations but have not obtained approval please contact DAS immediately at 541-737-4098 or at http://ds.oregonstate.edu. DAS notifies students and faculty members of approved academic accommodations and coordinates implementation of those accommodations. While not required, students and faculty members are encouraged to discuss details of the implementation of individual accommodations.

Expectations of student conduct:

Students are expected to comply with the University code of conduct, available at https://beav.es/codeofconduct.

Student bill of rights

OSU has twelve established student rights. They include due process in all university disciplinary processes, an equal opportunity to learn, and grading in accordance with the course syllabus: https://asosu.oregonstate.edu/advocacy/rights

Reach out for success:

University students encounter setbacks from time to time. If you encounter difficulties and need assistance, it’s important to reach out. Consider discussing the situation with an instructor or academic advisor. Learn about resources that assist with wellness and academic success at oregonstate.edu/ReachOut. If you are in immediate crisis, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting OREGON to 741-741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)