PHY 1024 FROM GALILEO TO EINSTEIN
A historical survey for non-science majors of fundamental concepts in physics, concentrating especially on the contributions made by major figures such as Galileo, Newton, Faraday, Maxwell, Einstein, and Bohr. The course emphasizes the logical and philosophical foundations of important discoveries and theories as well as their content and applications. Also considered will be the nature of scientific theories in general and how they become accepted. Topics may include the laws of motion; momentum, energy, and heat; gravity and the solar system; electromagnetism; relativity; quantum mechanics. High-school algebra required; can be used to satisfy the College distrbution requirements in science, but does not fulfill any physics requirements for science majors or medical school admission. (Fall, alternate years)