The student will be able to:

1. Analyze the properties of waves and apply mathematical formulas to physical problems.
2. Analyze and solve problems in optics.
3. Compute special relativity problems and interpret related paradoxes and special cases.
4. Explain wave-particle duality and its implications through both historical and thought experiments.
5. Discuss the concepts of quantum mechanics and solve simple problems.
6. Explain models of nuclear physics and how they relate to observed results, and solve problems concerning radioactive decay.
7. Explain current theories in particle physics.
8. Assess the limitations of physical laws and make mathematical approximations in appropriate situations.
9. Discuss how physical laws are established and the role of scientific evidence as support.
10. Discuss historical and current barriers to access in physics.

1. Analyze the properties of waves and apply mathematical formulas to physical problems
   1. The wave function and the propagation speed of a wave
      1. Traveling waves
      2. Speed of a wave on a string
      3. Transverse vs. longitudinal waves
      4. Energy transfer
   2. Reflection, transmission, and superposition of waves
   3. Sound waves, intensity, and the Doppler effect
      1. Sounds as a pressure wave
      2. Speed of sound
      3. Periodic sound waves
         1. Definition
         2. Intensity
            1. Decibels
            2. Loudness and frequency
      4. Doppler effect
         1. Source moving
         2. Detector moving
         3. Both moving
         4. Sonic booms
   4. Standing waves, interference, and resonance
      1. Superposition and interference
         1. Destructive interference
         2. Constructive interference
         3. Superposition of sinusoidal waves
      2. Standing waves
         1. Nodes and antinodes
         2. Standing waves as a function of time
         3. Standing waves on a string
         4. Standing waves in air columns
            1. Open both ends
            2. Closed one end
         5. Standing waves on a membrane
      3. Resonance
      4. Beats
   5. Electromagnetic waves and their propagation speed
2. Analyze and solve problems in optics
   1. Reflection and refraction of light
      1. Ray approximation
      2. Reflection
      3. Refraction
         1. Index of refraction
         2. Ibn-Sahl's Law (Snell's law)
            1. Huygen's principle
            2. Total internal reflection
   2. Geometrical optics, mirrors, lenses, and optical instruments
      1. Images formed by mirrors
         1. Image distance
         2. Object distance
         3. Magnification
         4. Real vs. virtual
         5. Upright vs. inverted
         6. Concave vs. convex
         7. Ray diagrams for mirrors
      2. Images formed by lenses
         1. Image distance
         2. Object distance
         3. Magnification
         4. Real vs. virtual
         5. Upright vs. inverted
         6. Concave vs. convex
         7. Ray diagrams for lenses
      3. Optical instruments
         1. The eye
         2. Microscopes
         3. Telescopes
   3. Optical interference, diffraction, and polarization
      1. Young's double slit
         1. Constructive and destructive interference
         2. Intensity distribution
      2. Thin film interference
         1. Change of phase on reflection
         2. Coatings
         3. Newton's rings
      3. Michlson interferometer
3. Compute special relativity problems and interpret related paradoxes and special cases
   1. Frames of reference
      1. Inertial vs. noninertial frames
      2. Galilean tranforms
   2. Einstein's postulates
      1. Laws of physics same in inertial frames
      2. Speed of light constant in inertial frames
   3. Lorentz transformations
      1. Length contraction
      2. Time dilation
      3. Simultaneity
      4. Experimental evidence
         1. Muon decay
         2. Airborne atomic clocks
   4. Paradoxes
   5. Addition of velocities
   6. Momentum
   7. Energy
4. Explain wave-particle duality and its implications through both historical and thought experiments
   1. Light acting like a particle
      1. Blackbody radiation
         1. Definition of a black body
         2. Classical attempts at solution
         3. Planck's solution
      2. The photoelectric effect
         1. Experimental evidence
         2. Einstein's solution
      3. The Compton effect
   2. Wave properties of particles
      1. The de Broglie hypothesis
      2. Electron diffraction
   3. Wave-particle duality
      1. Two slit experiments
         1. Predictions for waves
         2. Predictions for particles
         3. Experimental results
      2. The concept of probabilistic results
5. Discuss the concepts of quantum mechanics and solve simple problems
   1. Probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics
   2. Heisenberg uncertainty principle
   3. Correspondence principle
6. Discuss models and solve problems pertaining to the hydrogen atom, the periodic table, and condensed matter physics
   1. Bohr's model of the hydrogen atom and the hydrogen spectrum
      1. Restriction of angular momentum to integer multiples of Planck's constant
      2. Bohr radius
      3. Energy levels and the hydrogen spectrum
      4. Shortcomings of the Bohr model
   2. Quantum mechanical approach
      1. Schrodinger's equation
      2. The need for four quantum numbers
      3. Wave functions for the hydrogen atom
         1. Shapes
         2. Probabilities
      4. Pauli exclusion principle
      5. The periodic table
7. Explain models of nuclear physics and how they relate to observed results, and solve problems concerning radioactive decay
   1. Models of the nucleus
      1. Stability
      2. Ratio of protons to neutrons
   2. Radioactivity
      1. Decay and half-lives
      2. Biological effects of radiation
   3. Fission
   4. Fusion
8. Explain current theories in particle physics
   1. Inventory of particles
      1. Leptons
      2. Hadrons
         1. Baryons
         2. Mesons
   2. Conservation laws
   3. Quarks
9. Assess the limitations of physical laws and make mathematical approximations in appropriate situations
   1. Physical laws as ideal models
   2. Methods of approximation
10. Discuss how physical laws are established and the role of scientific evidence as support
    1. Historical development of a sampling of physical laws
    2. Use of student-collected data in labs to confirm physical laws
11. Discuss historical and current barriers to access in physics
    1. Discuss that historically our field has had barriers to entry and advancement due to race, gender, sexuality, class, and other factors
    2. Discuss "hidden figures" in our field
    3. Discuss that many of these issues persist to the current day and detail efforts to address them

Suggested laboratory experiments:

1. Speed of sound in air
2. Standing waves (in a string or air column)
3. Index of refraction
4. Focal length
5. Lenses
6. Interference and diffraction
7. Photoelectric effect
8. The hydrogen spectra
9. Measurements of radioactivity

Weekly assignments
Weekly quizzes
Mid-term test(s)
Laboratory
Projects/presentations
Final examination
Students are evaluated using a variety of measures that can include written exams, project presentations, and discussions, in order to allow them to demonstrate their knowledge and skills by the end of the quarter

Lecture (may be live/interactive or in the form of pre-recorded videos)
Discussion
Cooperative learning exercises
Electronic discussions/chat
Laboratory
Demonstration
Students gain an understanding of physics through connecting new terms, concepts, and procedures to what they already know through small group and large group discussions, making predictions and correcting each other's assumptions on ranking tasks, and practicing problem solving methods with the support and guidance of peers and the instructor

Urone and Hinrichs. OpenStax College Physics. 2012.

OpenStax is the main OER text in the field. The text itself has undergone regular updates since 2012, but the copyright/edition date remains 2012. Note that the bulk of the material in this course was developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, and has been consistent since then.

1. Homework problems: Homework problems covering subject matter from text and related material ranging from 10-40 problems per week. Students will need to employ critical thinking in order to complete assignments.
2. Lecture: Four hours per week of lecture covering subject matter from text and related material. Reading and study of the textbook, related materials, and notes.
3. Labs: Students will perform experiments and discuss their results either in the form of a written lab report or via oral examination. Reading and understanding the lab manual prior to class is essential to success.