PHYA 136: Energy and the Environment

Course Description

Intended for non-science majors, this course will give students the necessary physics background to form opinions on energy questions The physical laws of thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and nuclear physics will be discussed in connection with energy related topics such as thermal pollution, fossil fuels, nuclear power, solar power and other alternative energy sources. Some elementary calculations (at the level of high school algebra) are included in the material, but the emphasis will be on a conceptual understanding of the energy-related issues affecting society today.