PHYS 005. The World of Particles and Waves

This course presents an introduction to optics and quantum theory. Students will explore the counterintuitive consequences of quantum mechanics for our understanding of the subatomic world, where our notions of absolute properties such as the position or speed of a particle are replaced by probabilities. The course will introduce multiple ways to model light, from classical waves to quantum photons.
Prerequisite: PHYS 003, or placement out
Corequisite: MATH 025
Natural sciences and engineering.
1 credit.
Fall 2026. Geller and Smith, H.
Fall 2027 Bester and Smith, H.
Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy

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