PHYS 2218 — Physics III: Waves and Thermal Physics
General Information
This course is divided into two parts. The larger segment of the course typically focuses on wave phenomena. Topics include: coupled harmonic oscillators, strings, sound and light waves, superposition principle, wave equations, Fourier series and transforms, diffraction and interference. The discussion is at the level of The Physics of Waves by Georgi. The second segment of the course covers thermodynamics and statistical mechanics at the level of Thermal Physics by Schroeder.
Full Cornell course description (FA26)
Credits: 3
Prerequisites and Enrollment
Corequisites: PHYS 2210.
Enrollment: Primarily for: prospective majors in Physics, Astronomy, or Engineering Physics.
Forbidden overlaps: PHYS 2214, PHYS 2218
Recorded Offerings
| Semester | Listed instructors | Course details |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | Tomas Arias | Roster / syllabus |
| Spring 2026 | Liam McAllister | Roster / syllabus |
Workload and General Advice
Student contributions have not been added yet. Consult the offering’s syllabus for assignments and assessment details.
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Course information checked against Cornell’s Spring and Fall 2026 rosters on September 18, 2026. The listed semesters are verified examples, not a complete offering history.