Physics 171A: Physics and Society, TuTh Crow 201 1-2:30 PM

Welcome to the Physics and Society course! This handout contains important information about the course, and will be useful throughout the semester. Included is information on how to contact the instructor, required readings, a lecture and examination schedule, and other important information about the course. Also included is information about Environmental Studies 272A.

Instructor

Prof. Michael Ogilvie Compton 356 935-6256 mco@physics.wustl.edu
Office hours after class TuTh 2:30-3, W 2:30-3:30, and by appointment

TA
Peter Ronhovde

Web Assignments

All written course materials will be available on the web at the course web site http://wuphys.wustl.edu/~mco/Phys171/index.html. There will be links to required readings available on the web site as well. You are encouraged to actively follow national, international, and science news via a news aggregator such as Google News. Each Tuesday, we will briefly discuss current events relevant to science and science policy.

Recommended Books:

Energy: Physical, Environmental, and Social Impact, 3rd ed. (2nd ed. on reserve)
 Gordon J. Aubrecht

Energy and the Environment, 2rd ed. (1st ed. on reserve)
 Robert Ristinen and Jack Kraushaar

Energy: Principles, Problems, Alternatives, 4th ed. (on reserve)
 Joseph Priest

Beyond Oil : The View from Hubbert's Peak (on reserve)
 Kenneth S. Deffeyes

Hubbert’s peak: the Impending World Oil Shortage (on reserve)
 Kenneth S. Deffeyes

The Four Faces of Nuclear Terrorism
Charles D. Ferguson, William C. Potter

Global Warming: A Very Short Introduction (on reserve)
 Mark Maslin

Global Warming: the Complete Briefing, 3rd ed. (on reserve)
 John T. Houghton

Climate Change 2001 : Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (on reserve)
James J. McCarthy et al.

Reserve books are available in the Gustavus A. Pfeiffer Physics Library, Compton 340.


Course Goals

Students will:

learn how science (in particular physics) makes progress and the roles played by theory and experiment

learn the distinction between “good” and “bad” science, using examples from both past and present

understand some of the limitations of science

be able to use the concepts of energy and power quantitatively and solve simple problems
involving, e.g., windmills, dams, and catastrophic events

learn the importance and limitations of energy efficiency

know how conventional energy plants work

understand the origin of fossil fuels and the likely extent of available resources

gain insight into the history of energy consumption and modern society’s pattern of consumption

understand the production of nuclear energy and the workings of a nuclear reactor

be able to distinguish various forms of radioactivity and know the meaning of radiation dosage units

become informed on various topics related to nuclear energy and public concern: proliferation, terrorism, safety of nuclear reactors, radioactive waste disposal

learn the biological effects of exposure to radiation

know what the consequences of a nuclear explosion are

learn the basic ingredients of the Greenhouse effect

appreciate the relation of Greenhouse gases to fossil fuels

learn about the possible consequences of global climate change

learn the role of CFC’s in Ozone destruction and the present status of ozone-related problems

become familiar with the prospects for alternative, renewable energy sources

understand the global nature of some science and technology policy issues

have an increased awareness of issues related to science and society


Course Schedule (subject to revision)

Topic Date Problem Sets
1 Science 1: Good and Bad 8/31/06
2 Science 2: Good and Bad 9/5/06 #1 out
3 Gravitational and Kinetic Energy 9/7/06
4 Energy Conservation and Power 9/12/06 #1 due; #2 out
5 Heat Engines and the 2nd Law 9/14/06
6 Coal and Electric Power Generation 9/19/06 #2 due; #3 out
7 Energy: National and International Trends 9/21/06
8 The End of Oil? 9/26/06 #3 due; #4 out
9 Coal, Gas, & More 9/28/06
10 Alternate Energy 1: Wind and Water 10/3/06 #4 due; #5 out
11 Alternate Energy 2: Hydrogen and Sun 10/5/06
12 Catastrophe and Risk 1: Natural Disasters 10/10/06 #5 due; #6 out
13 Catastrophe and Risk 2: Terrorism 10/12/06
14 First Exam (in class) 10/17/06
15 Greenhouse Effect and Ozone Layer 1 10/19/06
16 Greenhouse Effect and Ozone Layer 2 10/24/06 #6 due; #7 out
17 Greenhouse Effect and Ozone Layer 3 10/26/06
18 Greenhouse Effect and Ozone Layer 4 10/31/06 #7 due; #8 out
19 Nuclear Energy 1: Introduction to Radiation 11/2/06
20 Nuclear Energy 2: Nuclei, Radioactivity, Decay 11/7/06 #8 due; #9 out
21 Nuclear Energy 3: Fission, Fusion, Bombs 11/9/06
22 Nuclear Energy 4: Biology & Radiation 11/14/06 #9 due; #10 out
23 Nuclear Energy 5: Reactors, Fuel Cycles, Waste 11/16/06
24 Unintended Consequences & Possible Futures 11/21/06 #10 due; #11 out
Thanksgiving 11/23/06
25 Nuclear Energy 6: Safety, Chernobyl, Waste 11/28/06 #11 due; #12 out
26 Nuclear Energy 7: Current Weapons Issues 11/30/06
27 Current Global Issues 12/5/06 #12 due
28 2nd Exam (in class) 12/7/06



Prerequisites

Physics 171 has no prerequisite, and is suitable for both science and non-science majors. It is a key course in cluster CL1784 (Physics: its relevance for the modern age) and is also a part CL1714. The course fulfills the QA requirement of A&S, the NSM for FA, and the SCI for BU. Wherever possible, we will use simple quantitative analysis, and you will learn about risk analysis, interpolation and extrapolation, exponential growth and decay, unit conversions, and back-of-the-envelope estimation. The level of mathematics is modest, but you will want a scientific calculator.

Requirements

This course must be taken for a letter grade; the CR/NC option is not available. Course grades will be based on 12 written assignments and two 1.5-hour tests. The first test will be given in class on October 17th, 2006, in class. The second test will take place on December 7th, 2006, in class. The exams will mostly determine whether factual information has been acquired; some of the questions will be in multiple-choice format, while others will require short answers of a paragraph. Much of the factual information will be presented in lectures. Each examination will contribute 25% of the overall grade; the problem sets will make up the other 50%. Each problem set will contribute 5% of the overall grade. Late assignments will not be accepted. As a rule, assignments are due one week after being handed out, and graded assignments are returned a week after they are handed in. As there are 12 problem sets total, students completing 11 or 12 problems sets will receive extra credit equal to 5% of their problem set average for each problem set beyond 10. Other extra credit assignments based on extracurricular events may be made available. Any such opportunities will be made available to the entire class. Any extra credit will be added to your grade after the curve is determined.

Information on Environmental Studies 272A

Physics 171A may also be taken as Environmental Studies 272A. EnSt272 requires the preparation and presentation of a paper on an aspect of science and society.

Academic Integrity

You are encouraged to discuss the quantitative homework assignments with other students in the class. After such discussions, problem sets should be written up separately, and never copied. Students who copy will be referred to the academic integrity officer for the appropriate school. At all times, you must respect the academic integrity policies of the university. You must not receive or provide any unauthorized assistance on an exam. Exams are closed book, closed notes.