PHYS 109(F) Sound, Light, and Perception

Light and sound allow us to perceive the world around us, from appreciating music and art to learning the details of atomic structure. Because of their importance in human experience, light and sound have long been the subject of scientific inquiry. How are sound and light related? How do physiology and neural processing allow us to hear and see the world around us? What are the origins of color and musical pitch? This course introduces the science and technology of light and sound to students not majoring in physics. We will start with the origins of sound and light as wave phenomenon, and go on to topics including color, the optics of vision, the meaning of musical pitch and tone, and the physical basis of hearing. We will also discuss some recent technological applications of light, such as lasers and optical communications. Coursework will consist of lectures and discussions as well as hands on activities to be done in class. Evaluation is based on class participation, periodic homework, one in-class exam plus a choice of a final exam or 10-page final paper. No prerequisites.

Hour:  S. BOLTON