The University of Central Arkansas

Department of Physics & Astronomy

Dr. William V. Slaton

Mailing Address:
Dr. William V. Slaton
Dept. of Physics & Astronomy
Lewis Science Center
The University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR 72035

Office: Lewis Science Center, Room 015
Email: wvslaton@uca.edu
Phone: 1-501-450-5905
FAX: 1-501-852-2286

Link to a pdf of my daily schedule for the Spring 2013 Semester is here.
Link to a pdf of my current C.V. is here.

Teaching

Spring 2013 Textbooks:
PHYS 1442 - "Physics for Scientists and Engineers," by Knight (2nd Ed.), ISBN (9780321513335). Bundled with Mastering Physics ISBN (0321513339). We will be using Mastering Physics for part of the homework grade. The course syllabus is here.

PHYS 3361 - Introduction to Electrodynamics, 3rd Ed. by David J. Griffiths, ISBN (013805326X). Other supplemental texts are in the library or online. Refer to your University Physics textbook for a review of basic ideas. The course syllabus is here.

PHYS 4110 - John Taylor's "An Introduction to Error Analysis" (ISBN: 978-0-935702-75-0) is required. The course syllabus is here.

Courses taught:

PHYS 1400 - Physical Science for General Education (2X)
PHYS 1401 - Astronomy Lab (1X)
PHYS 1441 - University Physics I (7X)
PHYS 1442 - University Physics II (6X)
PHYS 3120 - Junior Lab (3X)
PHYS 3342 - Classical Mechanics (2X)
PHYS 3343 - Thermal Physics (5X)
PHYS 3361 - Electricity & Magnetism II (2X)
PHYS 4110 - Senior Lab (2X)
PHYS 4103, 4203, 4303 - Special Problems in Physics (6X)
PHYS 4350 - Special Topics in Physics: Intro. to Acoustics (3X)

Teaching Links:

Research

My research experience includes general linear acoustics, binary inert gas mixture properties and sound propagation therein, and acoustics in inert gas - vapor systems and systems with multiple phases. These skills necessitate knowledge of heat, mass and momentum transport in fluid dynamic systems; specific systems of which I am familiar include thermoacoustic refrigeration, photoacoustic phenomena, as well as sound generation by vortex shedding.

Student Research Projects

Academic Year 2010 - 2011:

Asami Nishikawa:

Research Poster entitled "Aeroacoustic Source Strength Measurement of a Helmholtz Resonator" presented at the MidSouth Chapter of the Acoustical Society of America meeting in April 2011.
Departmental Honors Thesis entitled "Aeroacoustic Source Strength Measurement of a Helmholtz Resonator."

Trey French:

Research Poster entitled "Determination of Elastic Moduli in Bars Using Resonance" presented at the MidSouth Chapter of the Acoustical Society of America meeting in April 2011 and at the 95th Meeting of the Arkansas Academy of Science.

Tristan Odekirk:

Research Poster entitled "Speed of a Pulse on a Taut Wire" presented at the MidSouth Chapter of the Acoustical Society of America meeting in April 2011. This work has been published in The Physics Teacher's April 2012 issue.

Pete Bland:

Research Poster entitled "An Efficient Flood Basin Water Depth Sensor" presented at the 95th Meeting of the Arkansas Academy of Science.

Jon White:

Research Poster entitled "High Altitude Data Logging" presented at the 19th Annual Arkansas Space Grant Symposium in April 2011 and at the 95th Meeting of the Arkansas Academy of Science.

Academic Year 2009 - 2010:

Asami Nishikawa:

Research Poster entitled "The Effect of A Helmholtz Resonator’s Neck Geometry On The Aero-Acoustic Excitation of Resonance" presented at the MidSouth Chapter of the Acoustical Society of America meeting in March 2010 and at the 94th Meeting of the Arkansas Academy of Science.

Dustin Morris:

Research Poster entitled "Behavior of a Helmholtz Resonator Driven at High Amplitudes" presented at the MidSouth Chapter of the Acoustical Society of America meeting in March 2010 and at the 94th Meeting of the Arkansas Academy of Science.

Academic Year 2008 - 2009:

Kim Mason:

Honors College Thesis entitled "Rocket Lab and BalloonSat: The Importance of Student Based Hands-On Experiments in the Classroom."
BalloonSAT and LabPro Poster presented at the 2009 American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Winter Meeting.
Model Rocket Thrust Presentation given at the 2009 American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Winter Meeting.

Matt Brozak: Physics Department Senior Lab Report entitled "Qualitative Analysis of Symmetric Modes of a Vibrating Drum"

Mode (0,3): Video, Animation
Mode (1,1): Video, Animation
Mode (1,3): Video, Animation
Mode (2,1): Video, Animation

Shane McNew: Physics Department Senior Lab Project entitled "Bessel's Flames of Glory." The project was to build and test a Ruben's tube like device based on 2D square and circular geometry rather than a Ruben tube's 1D geometry.

Circular Pan Mode Photos: Mode (0,1), Mode (1,1), Mode (2,2)
Square Pan Mode Photos: Mode (2,0) & (0,2) degenerate mode, Mode (2,1), Mode (2,2)

Academic Year 2007 - 2008:

Holly Smith:

Thermoacoustic Quality Factor Presentation at the 154th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America
Physics Department Honors Thesis entitled "Impedance Measurement of a Thermoacoustic Engine Constructed from a Helmholtz Resonator"
Honors College Thesis entitled "A Thermoacoustic Approach to Exploring Resonance"
NASA Workforce Development Project entitled "Reduction of Fan Generated Tonal Noise in a Ventilation Duct with Applications to the International Space Station"

Steven Stoll: Physics Department Honors Thesis entitled "Investigation of Temperature Gradients in a Demonstration Model Thermoacoustic Refrigerator"
Stephanie Lanier: Aeroacoustic Presentation at the 154th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America
Jennifer Rullman: Acoustics Lab Digital Picture Frame Project
Kim Mason:

BalloonSAT and LabPro Presentation at the 92nd Meeting of the Arkansas Academy of Science
Model Rocket Thrust Presentation at the 92nd Meeting of the Arkansas Academy of Science

A3-4T Engine Movie, C6 Engine Movie, E9 Engine Movie

Academic Year 2006 - 2007:

Research Links:

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