A solar array in Nevada, US direct sunlight map, solar spectrum
Prof. Michael Brown
Swarthmore College, Department of Physics and Astronomy
e-mail address: doc@swarthmore.edu
A solar array in Nevada, US direct sunlight map, solar spectrum
SyllabusForms of energy: kinetic, potential, heat, electrical, magnetic, chemical... Energy and heat: thermodynamics, temperature, efficiency, engines Fossil fuels: oil, coal, natural gas... when will we run out? Hubbert's peak Nuclear energy: fission and fusion The electric grid Geothermal and tidal energy Solar energy: photovoltaics, demonstration with photovoltaic array Hydropower, wind, biomass Transportation and buildings Hydrogen fuel cells: demonstration with hydrogen fuel cell system Climate and global warming: The greenhouse effect. Is the Earth warming?
SummaryThe goal of the seminar is to study the state of the world's energy resources. We'll begin with an overview of the concept of energy. We'll discuss the idea of thermodynamics, then work through the various forms of energy (fossil fuels, nuclear, solar, hydrogen...). We'll close with a discussion of climate change and global warming. With concerns about oil pipelines and spills in the news, we will study how oil is harvested. We will study the evidence for "Hubbert's peak" and the end of oil for the planet. We will study the case for nuclear energy, both conventional fission energy (about 100 plants in the US) and more speculative fusion energy (MB's research area).
Upcoming EventsDepartmental advising open house. We will be meeting Tuesday afternoons, Spring semester 2019. |
DetailsThe book we'll be using is Energy, Environment, and Climate (third edition) by Richard Wolfson, and Physics for Future Presidents by Richard Muller The seminar will feature hands-on demonstrations of photovoltaics, hydrogen fuel cell, and electrical energy. There will be one section: Tuesdays 1-4 PM The seminar format means that students will play an active role in presenting material. The seminar is open to anyone in the first-year class of 2022. The math prerequisite is high school algebra and we will do lots of calculations. Additional reserve reading will include the National Academies recent report on energy policy, "Energy Science" by Andrews and Jelley, "Energy and the Environment" by Ristinen and Kraushaar, "Energy" by Hinrichs and Kleinbach.
Relevant LinksThe US Energy Information Administration EIA The National Academies America's Energy Future Environmental Protection Agency Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) CDIAC Trends for Global Change |