
University Physics Volume 3
by Samuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny and William Moebs
Published by OpenStax
University Physics is a three-volume collection that meets the scope and sequence requirements for two- and three-semester calculus-based physics courses. Volume 1 covers mechanics, sound, oscillations, and waves. Volume 2 covers thermodynamics, electricity, and magnetism, and Volume 3 covers optics and modern physics. This textbook emphasizes connections between theory and application, making physics concepts interesting and accessible to students while maintaining the mathematical rigor inherent in the subject. Frequent, strong examples focus on how to approach a problem, how to work with the equations, and how to check and generalize the result.
Adopted pages stay linked to the book. Make your own copy of any page to change it for your class.
Attribution
Adapted from University Physics Volume 3 by Samuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny, and William Moebs, published by OpenStax (Rice University) under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/). Access the original for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/university-physics-volume-3. Changes: converted to CuraCourse lessons, with interactive practice added.
Table of contents
106 pages in 13 modules. Sign up to read and adopt them.
Preface1 page
- Preface
1The Nature of Light9 pages
- Introduction
- 1.1The Propagation of Light
- 1.2The Law of Reflection
- 1.3Refraction
- 1.4Total Internal Reflection
- 1.5Dispersion
- 1.6Huygens’s Principle
- 1.7Polarization
- Practice
2Geometric Optics and Image Formation10 pages
- Introduction
- 2.1Images Formed by Plane Mirrors
- 2.2Spherical Mirrors
- 2.3Images Formed by Refraction
- 2.4Thin Lenses
- 2.5The Eye
- 2.6The Camera
- 2.7The Simple Magnifier
- 2.8Microscopes and Telescopes
- Practice
3Interference7 pages
- Introduction
- 3.1Young's Double-Slit Interference
- 3.2Mathematics of Interference
- 3.3Multiple-Slit Interference
- 3.4Interference in Thin Films
- 3.5The Michelson Interferometer
- Practice
4Diffraction9 pages
- Introduction
- 4.1Single-Slit Diffraction
- 4.2Intensity in Single-Slit Diffraction
- 4.3Double-Slit Diffraction
- 4.4Diffraction Gratings
- 4.5Circular Apertures and Resolution
- 4.6X-Ray Diffraction
- 4.7Holography
- Practice
5Relativity11 pages
- Introduction
- 5.1Invariance of Physical Laws
- 5.2Relativity of Simultaneity
- 5.3Time Dilation
- 5.4Length Contraction
- 5.5The Lorentz Transformation
- 5.6Relativistic Velocity Transformation
- 5.7Doppler Effect for Light
- 5.8Relativistic Momentum
- 5.9Relativistic Energy
- Practice
6Photons and Matter Waves8 pages
- Introduction
- 6.1Blackbody Radiation
- 6.2Photoelectric Effect
- 6.3The Compton Effect
- 6.4Bohr’s Model of the Hydrogen Atom
- 6.5De Broglie’s Matter Waves
- 6.6Wave-Particle Duality
- Practice
7Quantum Mechanics8 pages
- Introduction
- 7.1Wave Functions
- 7.2The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
- 7.3The Schrӧdinger Equation
- 7.4The Quantum Particle in a Box
- 7.5The Quantum Harmonic Oscillator
- 7.6The Quantum Tunneling of Particles through Potential Barriers
- Practice
8Atomic Structure8 pages
- Introduction
- 8.1The Hydrogen Atom
- 8.2Orbital Magnetic Dipole Moment of the Electron
- 8.3Electron Spin
- 8.4The Exclusion Principle and the Periodic Table
- 8.5Atomic Spectra and X-rays
- 8.6Lasers
- Practice
9Condensed Matter Physics10 pages
- Introduction
- 9.1Types of Molecular Bonds
- 9.2Molecular Spectra
- 9.3Bonding in Crystalline Solids
- 9.4Free Electron Model of Metals
- 9.5Band Theory of Solids
- 9.6Semiconductors and Doping
- 9.7Semiconductor Devices
- 9.8Superconductivity
- Practice
10Nuclear Physics9 pages
- Introduction
- 10.1Properties of Nuclei
- 10.2Nuclear Binding Energy
- 10.3Radioactive Decay
- 10.4Nuclear Reactions
- 10.5Fission
- 10.6Nuclear Fusion
- 10.7Medical Applications and Biological Effects of Nuclear Radiation
- Practice
11Particle Physics and Cosmology9 pages
- Introduction
- 11.1Introduction to Particle Physics
- 11.2Particle Conservation Laws
- 11.3Quarks
- 11.4Particle Accelerators and Detectors
- 11.5The Standard Model
- 11.6The Big Bang
- 11.7Evolution of the Early Universe
- Practice
Appendices7 pages
- AUnits
- BConversion Factors
- CFundamental Constants
- DAstronomical Data
- EMathematical Formulas
- FChemistry
- GThe Greek Alphabet