Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2020

Number	Title	Type	ECTS	Hours	Lecturers
Physics TC Detailed information on the programme at: www.didaktischeausbildung.ethz.ch
Specialized Courses in Respective Subject with Educational Focus
402-0737-00L	Energy and Environment in the 21st Century (Part I)	W	6 credits	2V + 1U	M. Dittmar, P. Morf
Abstract	The energy and related environmental problems, the physics principles of using energy and the various real and hypothetical options are discussed from a physicist point of view. The lecture is intended for students of all ages with an interest in a rational approach to the energy problem of the 21st century.
Objective	Scientists and espially physicists are often confronted with questions related to the problems of energy and the environment. The lecture tries to address the physical principles of todays and tomorrow energy use and the resulting global consequences for the world climate. The lecture is for students which are interested participate in a rational and responsible debatte about the energyproblem of the 21. century.
Content	Introduction: energy types, energy carriers, energy density and energy usage. How much energy does a human needs/uses? Energy conservation and the first and second law of thermodynamics Fossile fuels (our stored energy resources) and their use. Burning fossile fuels and the physics of the greenhouse effect. physics basics of nuclear fission and fusion energy controlled nuclear fission energy today, the different types of nuclear power plants, uranium requirements and resources, natural and artificial radioactivity and the related waste problems from the nuclear fuel cycle. Nuclear reactor accidents and the consequences, a comparison with risks from other energy using methods. The problems with nuclear fusion and the ITER project. Nuclear fusion and fission: ``exotic'' ideas. Hydrogen as an energy carrier: ideas and limits of a hydrogen economy. new clean renewable energy sources and their physical limits (wind, solar, geothermal etc) Energy perspectives for the next 100 years and some final remarks
Lecture notes	many more details (in english and german) here: http://ihp-lx2.ethz.ch/energy21/
Literature	Die Energiefrage - Bedarf und Potentiale, Nutzung, Risiken und Kosten: Klaus Heinloth, 2003, VIEWEG ISBN: 3528131063; Environmental Physics: Boeker and Egbert New York Wiley 1999
Prerequisites / Notice	Science promised us truth, or at least a knowledge of such relations as our intelligence can seize: it never promised us peace or happiness Gustave Le Bon Physicists learned to realize that whether they like a theory or they don't like a theory is not the essential question. Rather, it's whether or not the theory gives predictions that agree with experiment. Richard Feynman, 1985
402-0922-00L	Mentored Work Specialised Courses in Physics with an Educational Focus A Mentored Work Specialised Courses in the Respective Subject with an Educational Focus in Physics for TC and Teaching Diploma.	O	2 credits	4A	G. Schiltz, A. Vaterlaus
Abstract	In the mentored work on their subject specialisation, students link high-school and university aspects of the subject, thus strengthening their teaching competence with regard to curriculum decisions and the future development of the tuition. They compile texts under supervision that are directly comprehensible to the targeted readers - generally specialist-subject teachers at high-school level.
Objective	Practice in the explanation of complex topics in physics as the core competence of the teaching profession Improvement of the physics education by providing attractive recent topics with regard to future curricular decisions and the public view of physics
Content	Choice of topic by individual arrangement
402-0505-00L	Physics in the Smartphone Does not take place this semester.	W	6 credits	3G	M. Sigrist
Abstract	Physics in today's high-tech smartphone. Examples: network topology and scratch proof glass, spin-orbit coupling - brighter displays, GPS and general theory of relativity, electromagnetic response of matter (transparent metals for displays, GPS signal propagation), light-field cameras, CCD and CMOS light sensors, physics stops Moore's law, meta-materials for antennas, MEMS sensor physics, etc.
Objective	Students recognize and appreciate the enormous impact "physics" has on today's high tech world. Abstract concepts, old and recent, encountered in the lectures are implemented and present all around us. Students are actively involved in the preparation and presentation of the topics, and thus acquire valuable professional skills.
Content	We explore how traditional and new physics concepts and achievements make their way into today's ubiquitous high-tech gadget : the smartphone. Examples of topics include: network topology and scratch proof Gorilla glass, spin-orbit coupling makes for four times brighter displays, no GPS without general theory of relativity, electromagnetic response of matter (transparent metals for displays, GPS signal propagation in the atmosphere), lightfield cameras replacing CCD and CMOS light sensors, physical limitations to IC scaling: the end of "Moore's law", meta-materials for antennas, physics of the various MEMS sensors, etc., etc.,
Lecture notes	The presentation material and original literature will be distributed weekly.
Prerequisites / Notice	Basic physics lectures and introduction to solid state physics are expected. This is a "3 hour" course, with two hours set for <tba>, and the third one to be set at the beginning of the semester. An introductory event is planed in the first week of the term on Wednesday, September 19th - 17:45 in the room HIT K51. In this meeting we will fix the time of the usual lecture and we will distribute the topics for the presentations during the term. The tutors will briefly present each topics.
402-0869-00L	Qualitative Methods in Physics	W	6 credits	2V + 1U	V. Geshkenbein
Abstract	We will discuss, how qualitative thinking allows to progress in different areas of physics, from classical to quantum mechanics, from phase transitions, to developed turbulence and Anderson localisation.
Objective	The solution of most problems in theoretical physics begins with the application of the QUALITATIVE METHODS which constitute the most attractive and beautiful characteristic of this discipline. However, as experience shows, it is just these aspects which are most difficult for beginner. Unfortunately, the methods of theoretical physics are usually presented in a formal, mathematical way, rather than in the constructive form in which they are used in scientific work. The purpose of this lecture course is to make up this deficiency.
Lecture notes	Lecture notes and additional materials are available.

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