PHYS 132 - Matter, Light, and Energy

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FA. This course provides an introduction to physical interactions involving matter, light, and energy. Topics include: observational astronomy; the atomic model of matter and the behavior of solids, liquids, and gases; temperature, heat, and thermodynamics; waves and sound; geometric optics and the wave-particle duality of light; atomic nuclei, nuclear reactions, and radiation; quarks and the Standard Model of particle physics. This course also surveys key historical developments in physics as well as foundational scientific methods and assumptions. Laboratory Prerequisite: High school physics and completion of (or concurrent registration in) a calculus course, or permission of the instructor.