Department of Physics

The aim of physicists is to discover the most fundamental principles of nature. Their tools are mathematics and experiment. The physical world as we perceive it is very complex, yet the principles of Physics are inherently simple. A physicist's forte is the ability to analyze a problem, reduce its complexity, and arrive at an understanding of the underlying patterns of nature in terms of simple relationships among constituent elements. Learning to do this gives Physics majors an intellectual versatility that can serve them well in a variety of future activities ranging from research and teaching in Physics or related sciences to careers in law, the health professions, and high-technology companies.

 

 

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 706
  • Publication
    Physics 5516: Electromagnetic Phenomena (Spring 2024)
    (2024-06-05) Nelson, Philip C
    These course notes are made publicly available in the hope that they will be useful. All reports of errata will be gratefully received. I will also be glad to hear from anyone who reads them, whether or not you find errors: pcn@upenn.edu.
  • Publication
    How Physicists Get Started Thinking About New Phenomena
    (2024-07-26) Nelson, Philip C.
    Main ideas of dimensional reasoning are outlined starting with high-school physics and arriving at Planck's universal units.
  • Publication
    5.5 - Absolute Scattering
    (2016-08-10) Heiney, Paul A.
    When the incident and scattered X-ray intensities, and the volume of sample accessed, are well understood the scattered intensity can be used to obtain quantitative information such as the internal surface area of a porous system. Time 11:23.
  • Publication
    5.4 - Porod, Guinier, and Kratke Plots
    (2016-08-05) Heiney, Paul A.
    Different ways of representing SAXS data. Porod plots pull out high-Q features on a linear scale. Guinier plots can be used to extract the radiation of gyration. Kratke plots can help distinguish between extended and compact conformations of chains such as proteins. Time 6:44.
  • Publication
    5.3 - High-Q Limit and Power Laws for Small Angle Scattering
    (2016-08-05) Heiney, Paul A.
    Discuss the power law intensity behavior for small angle scattering from objects of different geometries, including spheres, rods, disks, Gaussian coils, and fractals. Potential pitfalls in analyzing power law intensity profiles. General results and complications. Time 8:23.
  • Publication
    5.2 - Small Angle Scattering from Nonspherical Particles
    (2016-08-03) Heiney, Paul A.
    Extends discussion in Video 5.1 by discussing small angle scattering from suspension of nonspherical particles, including ellipsoids, cylinders, and coated spheres (core-shell model). Time 7:06.
  • Publication
    5.1 - Small Angle Scattering from Spheres
    (2016-08-02) Heiney, Paul A.
    Introduction to small angle scattering (SAXS). Calculation of expected pattern from a suspension of spherical particles. Spherical coordinates. The Rayleigh function. Effects of interparticle correlation and size dispersity. Time 10:02.
  • Publication
    8.5 - Applications of X-ray Attenuation
    (2016-09-01) Heiney, Paul A.
    Effect of beam attenuation going through the sample in an X-ray scattering measurement. Transmission and sample thickness. Design of shielding. Effect of shorter wavelengths ("harmonic contamination.") Time 7:35.
  • Publication
    8.4 - Attenuation of X-rays in Matter
    (2016-08-29) Heiney, Paul A.
    Importance of attenuation in lab safety. Calculation of attenuation lengths. Time 6:21.
  • Publication
    8.3 - What to Watch Out for in the Lab
    (2016-08-29) Heiney, Paul A.
    General considerations for radiation safety in the lab. Shielding of X-ray diffraction units. Time: 6:18.