Phys 629: Selected Topics in Physics I (Spring 2020) — Fluid Mechanics & Acoustics in the Ocean

Instructor: Dr. Zheguang Zou (zou@olemiss.edu)
Lectures: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00-9:50am @ Google Meet (http://meet.google.com/rej-rjte-ejp)
Office Hours: Online, by appointment
Website: https://zou.olemiss.edu/phys629

Syllabus | Lectures | Homework

Course Objectives

The goals of this course are to (1) familiarize students with fundamental concepts in fluid mechanics and acoustics; (2) provide a deep physical understanding of those governing equations; and (3) introduce a variety of applications and related research in the ocean environment.

Course Description

This course will cover the fundamental knowledge (e.g., concepts, governing equations, etc) of fluid mechanics and acoustics in fluids. Fluid mechanics deals with the "behaviors" of liquids and gases in motion or at rest, while acoustics deals with the mechanical waves within them. This course will be useful for students working on related physics and engineering research.

This course will have an emphasis on the ocean environment. Students will develop a deep understanding of fluid dynamics and acoustics in the ocean. For example, types of waves this course will explore include tides, capillary waves, surface gravity waves, internal waves, Kelvin waves, Rossby waves, etc. This course will be very useful for students working on ocean-related research.

This course will be complementary to some topics in Phys 710: Advanced Mechanics II (instructed by Dr. Zhang).

Contents (Tentative)

This course consists of three parts — fluid mechanics, ocean dynamics, and ocean acoustics. The following is a tentative syllabus for this course.

Part I. Fluid Mechanics

The first part covers the fundamental knowledge in fluid mechanics.

  1. Fluid Properties
  2. Fluid Statics
  3. Bernoulli Equation
  4. Fluid Kinematics
  5. Finite Control Volume Analysis
  6. Differential Analysis

Part II. Ocean Dynamics

The second part explores the physical conditions and physical processes within the ocean.

  1. Seawater Properties
  2. Geostrophy
  3. Ocean Waves
  4. Ocean Circulation
  5. The World's Ocean

Part III. Ocean Acoustics

This third part covers the fundamentals of acoustics and explores the propagation (and applications) of acoustic waves in the ocean.

  1. Fundamentals of Acoustics
  2. Sound Propagation in the Sea
  3. Enviromental Variability
  4. Noise and Signal Detection

Textbooks

This course will cover some chapters in the following textbooks, but students are NOT required to purchase textbooks for this course.

Grading

The course grade will be based on the cumulative points earned from assignments, in-class quizzes, a midterm exam and a final exam, weighted as follows.

The numerical score (out of 100) will be converted to a letter grade with a corresponding grade point value, following the UM +/– grading system adopted in Fall 2011.

Course Policies

Attendance

Regular attendance is required. Pop quizzes will be given out in class without notice in advance. Absences from quiz and exams count as zeros unless they are justified.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to adhere to the University of Mississippi Creed and the Standards of Honesty as described in Policy Code ACA.AR.600.001.

Students are reminded that cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Performance on all tests and assignments shall represent the individual work of the student. Those who violate the Standards of Honesty will be reported and subject to the appropriate sanction, which may include expulsion from the University.

Intellectual Property

All materials distributed electronically and in hard copy in this class are protected under intellectual copyright. Any attempt to upload these documents to a file sharing service or to profit from their distribution by any means constitutes theft and will be in violation of intellectual property law and the UM Academic Conduct Code unless expressly permitted by the instructor.

Nondiscrimination Policy

The University complies with all applicable laws regarding affirmative action and equal opportunity in all its activities and programs and does not discriminate against anyone protected by law because of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, handicap, or status as a veteran or disabled veteran.

Disability Access

It is University policy to provide, on a flexible and individual basis, reasonable accommodations to students who have disabilities that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or meet course requirements. Students with disabilities should contact the Office of Student Disability Services (662-915-7128 or sds@olemiss.edu) to discuss their individual needs.

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Updated by Zou on 01/22/2020