FRS 001A - Sec. 001 - (1 unit) - CRN 35487 - W 12:10-1:00 PM - 25 Wellman
Physics in the 20th Century: The Advent of the Nuclear Age

Instructor: Barry Klein, Department of Physics, College of Letters and Science

Description: The 20th Century showed remarkable scientific and technological advances related to the evolution of our physical understanding of “matter” at the atomistic and nuclear levels. This seminar course will att ?? historical perspective to this evolution by tracing these developments in physics in terms of the scientific personalities involved and the impetus provided by the applications, culminating in the development of nuclear weapons. We will use as a textbook the wonderful and beautifully written book The Making of the Atom Bomb, by Richard Rhodes, a book that won the Pulitzer Prize, which has left a lasting impression on all of the those who have read it. Through readings, discussions and class presentations, we should all learn to appreciate the fascinating personalities involved in these advances, and to put our present-day world, and our closing century, in perspective. The goals of the seminar are to introduce students to the evolution of 20th century physics with an emphasis on our modern understanding of the atom and the nucleus in particular. By using an historical and persona ?? in terms of the physics “greats” who were key to developing our understanding of matter, we will attempt to “humanize” the developments that led to our view of the atomistic world.

Format: The course will include lectures introducing the basics of modern atomic and nuclear physics. A set of notes on modern physics developed by the instructor will be distributed to the students. ?? UC Davis Crocker Laboratory and a guest lecturer who will discuss a special topic. The students will also present a class talk on one of the major physicists discussed in Rhode’s book. A term paper about the course and on the subject of the class talk will be required. Videos purchased for the course will be used as well. Grading: Grades will be determined by class participation (1/3); talk to class (1/3); and term paper (1/3).

About the Instructor: