FRS 002, Sec. 53--Freshman Seminar -- Fall 2017
Applications of Waves-From Music to Imaging Atoms
Instructor: Shirley Chiang, Department of Physics, 235 Physics/Geology
tel: 530-402-7113; FAX: 530-752-4717
E-mail: chiang@physics.ucdavis.edu
Seminar goals:
The objective of the course is for students to see how physical principles can be used to explain the world around them. Wave theory will be applied to two very different topics, one classical and one modern: music and quantum mechanics. The course will use physics to study the properties and production of musical sounds. Students will also learn how modern quantum mechanics applies to the operation of the scanning tunneling microscope (STM), which is used to make atomic resolution images of surfaces. Students will read and discuss how physics applies to musical instruments and the operation of the STM. They will use the scientific method to design and construct their own musical instrument, which they will present to the class.
Syllabus with
Project Suggestions
Gallery of Project
Photos from Past Classes
Information for building wind instruments
Garden Hose
Recorder
How
do
you decide where to put the holes?
Interesting (and relevant) WWW Links
Professor Shirley Chiang
10/25/2017