PHYS P114: Physics for Poets
Term Paper
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Information
General The term paper in this class is optional. If you would like to reduce the dependence of your grade on exams, you should consider writing a paper. See the Grades section for a breakdown of your options.
Format The paper should be a detailed examination of a topic discussed in this class. You can choose whatever topic interests you, but you'll need to submit a a proposal of what you'd like to write to Prof. Evans for approval and/or modification.
Length Approximately 10 pages.
Schedule 10/30: submit your topic (by email) to Prof. Evans along with a brief summary of what you plan to write.
November: inform Prof. Evans of any modifications to your paper as you do your research.
12/11: (4:00 pm) due date for term paper.
Grade Your score on the paper will depend on demonstrating that you understand the important issues involved in your topic. In depth knowledge of mathematics or experimental technique is not required, however, a clear presentation of all aspects of your argument is expected. It also helps if your paper is interesting!
Sources You should use a broad range of literature in preparing your paper. Try to get a feeling for the full scope of work/opinion on your topic and include what you use in a bibliography. Books, articles, web sites, discussions with other people, etc. are all fine, however, do not copy or paraphrase your paper from any single source.
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Suggestions for Topics

 Below are some ideas for term paper topics. They are intended mainly as a guide to the kind of things I think are appropriate. You are encouraged to use your imagination and come up with titles of your own.
  • Changing Views of Physics from Antiquity to the 20th Century
    The public view of science in general and physics in particular changed dramatically as the ideas of Galileo, Newton and Einstein became accepted. Discuss how these ideas influenced western thought, culture and art. Note that a similar shift in public perception occurred in the 20th century with the rise of quantum mechanics, the atom bomb and the end of the cold war - but that's for next term.
  • Twentieth Century Physics in Art and Culture
    Many concepts of modern physics, particularly Einstein's views of time and space, appear in art and literature of the 20th century. Discuss these ties.
  • Philosophical and Mathematical Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics
    Among the founders of quantum mechanics, there were widely different opinions as to how the remarkable new ideas should be interpreted. Niels Bohr struggled all his life to come up with a view of the strange new field that fit into his personal philosophy while others, like Werner Heisenberg, saw quantum mechanics as a purely mathematical tool. Discuss some of the issues they puzzled over.
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Examples of Previous Papers

 Below are links to some particularly good term papers written by students in this class. back to top

Last updated: 25-Aug-09