University of Virginia Library

IV.—NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.

PROFESSOR WILLIAM B. ROGERS.

There are three classes in this school: the Junior and Senior
classes of Natural Philosophy, and the class of Geology and Mineralogy.
The following is the plan of the course:

JUNIOR CLASS.

1. Rational Mechanics,—including Statics and Dynamics, or
the General Laws of Equilibrium and Motion.

2. Mechanics of Solids.—Molecular Structure of Solids, Limits
of Elasticity, Strength of Materials, Distribution of Pressure,
Laws of Friction, Elements of Machinery, &c.

3. Mechanics of Liquids.—Molecular Structure of Liquids,
Laws of their Equilibrium and Pressure, Flotation, Methods for
Sp. Gravity, Discharge of Water through Pipes and Canals, Resistance
of Liquids.

4. Mechanics of Airs.—Molecular Structure, Compressibility
and Elasticity of Airs, the Barometer and its uses, Air Pump,
Water Pump, Syphon and other Pneumatic and Hydropneumatic
Engines, Resistance of the Air, Laws of Endosmose and Capillarity.

5. Mechanism of Undulations.—Waves of Oscillation and of
Translation in Water, Waves of Compression and Rarefaction in
Solids, Liquids and Airs; Sound-waves, their Propagation and
Reflexion; Musical Sound, Interference, Harmonics, Structure of
the Ear.

6. Optics.—Propagation, Reflexion, Refraction of Light, Chromatics,
Theories of Emission and Undulation; Polarization and
Double Refraction; Optical Instruments; the Eye, Stereoscope,
Vision.

7. Thermotics.—Temperature, Expansion, Thermometers,
Latent and Specific Heat, Motion of Heat, Melloni's Laws, Tension
of Vapour, &c.

8. Magnetism, Electricity, Electro-Magnetism, with their
principal applications.

SENIOR CLASS.

1. The subjects of Rational Mechanics, the Mechanics of
Solids, Liquids and Airs, and Optics, with the construction of
Optical Instruments, are here treated of more thoroughly than in
the Junior Class, in a series of Geometrical and Algebraic Theorems.

2. Practical Statics, including the principles of the Arch,
Roofs, &c.

3. Practical Dynamics, Machinery and Motive Powers, Theory
and Construction of the Steam Engine.

4. Astronomy—Descriptive and Theoretical.

CLASS OF GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.

In this class, besides the leading features of general Geology,
especial attention is given to the structure and mineral products of
our own country. The great mineral zones are described by reference
to maps and sections, the order of stratification pointed
out, the nature of the materials shown by specimens, and the
relations of all these features to the agriculture and other resources
of the country particularly dwelt upon. In this connection the
formation of soils is discussed, and their analysis, together with
that of ores, limestones, marls, &c. , particularly taught.

Text-Books.—Elements of Mech. Philosophy, by W. B.
Rogers, Müller's Physics, Jackson's Optics. Reference is made
to Herschell's Outlines of Astronomy, Peschel's Physics, Norton's
Astronomy, Dana's Mineralogy, Lyell's or Ansted's Geology, and
Agassiz' and Gould's Zoology.