Great Ideas in Physics

Quantum theory, photoelectric effect, quantized, photons, Planck's constant particle theory of radiation, wave theory of matter, wave-particle duality, electron wave interference, double-slit experiment, electron microscope, quantum indeterminacy, probability, probability wave, psi field, Schroedinger equation, quantum theory of matter and radiation.

Spectroscope, spectrum, continuous spectrum, line spectrum, planetary model of the atom, quantum model of the atom, standing wave, quantum states of hydrogen, quantum numbers, energy level, energy-level diagram, ground state, excited state, quantum jump, emission of radiation, indeterminacy principle, range of possibilities, wave packet, nonlocal effect, quantum entanglement, statistical correlation, Copenhagen interpretation, Newtonian worldview, contextual reality.

Four forces, strong nuclear force, weak nuclear force, electromagnetic force, gravitational force, nuclear reaction, element, atomic number, isotope, mass number, radioactive decay, alpha decay, beta decay, gamma decay, daughter nucleus, radioactive nucleus, half-life, radioactive dating, cosmic rays, ages, ionizing radiation, rem, millirem, mutation, natural radiation, artificial radiation, radon, fallout, Chernobyl, quantitative risk estimates.

Nuclear fusion, nuclear fission, nuclear energy, thermonuclear reaction, big bang, cosmic background radiation, supernova explosion, fission fragment, chain reaction, Manhattan Project, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, isotope separation, gaseous diffusion, critical mass, nuclear reactor, nuclear weapon proliferation, fission bomb (A-bomb), fusion bomb (H-bomb), kiloton, megaton.

Renewable energy sources, non-renewable energy sources, energy conservation, energy efficiency, nuclear power reactor, control rods, coolant, fuel rods, containment dome, technology assessment, global warming, decarbonization, high-level nuclear waste, Three Mile Island, melt-down, breeder reactor, hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal, wind, solar-thermal, photovoltaic, active solar, passive solar.

Field view of reality, field, quantized field, quanta, quantum field theory, quantum electrodynamics, cloud chamber, bubble chamber, antiparticle, creation and annihilation of particle-antiparticle pairs, positron, antimatter, particle accelerator, vacuum, Lamb shift, muon, tau, neutrino, electroweak force, W and Z particles, strong force, up, down, strange, charm, top, bottom quarks, standard model, Higgs field, grand unified theory, Higgs particle, graviton, Planck scale, string theory, anthropic principle.

Sample Final Exam Questions