Teaching
Course details, syllabus, and materials will be posted here.
Modern Physics
PHYS-2203
An introduction to the ideas of modern physics, including special relativity and quantum mechanics.
Syllabus
- Fall 2026 PHYS-2203 Syllabus (PDF)
Lecture notes
- Lecture 1 · Aug 24, 2026 Electromagnetic Waves (Light)
- Lecture 2 · Aug 26, 2026 Energy and Momentum of Electromagnetic Waves
- Lecture 3 · Aug 28, 2026 Polarization and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
- Lecture 4 · Aug 31, 2026 Reflection and Refraction of Light
- Lecture 5 · Sep 2, 2026 Optical Images: Spherical Mirrors
- Lecture 6 · Sep 9, 2026 Refraction at Curved Surfaces, Thin Lenses, and the Simple Magnifier
- Lecture 7 · Sep 11, 2026 Lens Combinations and Optical Instruments
- Lecture 8 · Sep 14, 2026 Physical Optics: Double-Slit and Multiple-Slit Interference
- Lecture 9 · Sep 16, 2026 Diffraction: Single-Slit Patterns, Circular Apertures, and the Resolution of Optical Instruments
- Lecture 10 · Sep 18, 2026 Diffraction Applications, Thin-Film Interference, and Anti-Reflection Coatings
- Lecture 11 · Sep 21, 2026 Special Relativity: The Michelson–Morley Experiment and the Consequences of the Postulates
- Lecture 12 · Sep 23, 2026 Length Contraction, the Pole-and-Shed Paradox, and Cosmic-Ray Muons