Syllabus and Lecture Notes
| These are the lectures and exams planned for Fall 2008. Reading assignments are chapters in the textbook (Hobson, Physics Concepts & Connections, 4th Edition). |
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Lecture 1 Cyclone |
Chap 1
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Overview
Logistics The theme of this class, syllabus The physics of weather |
Wed. 9/3
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| Lecture 2 |
Chap 1
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The Way of Science Developing and testig new concepts, Occam's razor Classical concepts never die, they just become special cases The solar system as example, epicyles vs. ellipses |
Fri. 9/5
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| Lecture 3 |
Chap 2
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Length scales
Logarithmic scale From the largest to the smallest Limits of observation, fundamental units, Planck length |
Mon. 9/8
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| Lecture 4 |
Chap 2
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Down to Atoms
Nanoscience and nanotechnology Biological length scales Moore's law, exponential growth |
Wed. 9/10
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| Lecture 5 |
Chap 3
Chap 4 Chap 5 |
The Newtonian Universe
Newton's law of gravity, Newton's apple Newton's law F = m a , acceleration g-forces, zero g Derivatives and the stock market |
Fri. 9/12
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| Lecture 6 Baseball |
Chap 6
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The Various Forms of Energy Work, energy, and power, energy conversion, efficiency Conservation of energy, 1st law of thermodynamics Conservation laws: Basic principles of physics Physics of baseball; Why is a golf ball dimpled? Sharkskin and fast swimsuits |
Mon. 9/15 |
| Lecture 7 |
Chap 7
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Statistical Physics and Thermodynamics
Entropy, the statistics of large numbers 2nd law of thermodynamics Is evolution compatible with the 2nd law ? Maximum effiency of a power plant, a car |
Wed. 9/17
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| Lecture 8 |
Chap 8
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Waves
From particles to waves Sound and water waves Relation between frequency, wavelength, and velocity. Interference of waves |
Fri. 9/19
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| Lecture 9 |
Chap 8
Chap.9 |
Electromagnetic Waves Light waves, lasers Diffraction, protein crystallography, real vs. reciprocal space The full spectrum of electromagnetic waves |
Mon. 9/22
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| Lecture 10 |
Chap 9
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Solar Radiation and Greenhouse Effect
Solar spectrum Radiation laws Greenhouse effect and global warming |
Wed. 9/24
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| Lecture 11 |
Chap 8
Chap 9 |
Electromagnetism
Electric and magnetic fields in electromagnetic waves Electric field as force field Analogy between electric and gravitational forces: The atom as planetary system. Monopole vs. dipole The elementary charge |
Fri. 9/26
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| Lecture 12 |
Chap 9
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Connecting charges and fields by Maxwell's equations
Case studies of Maxwell's equations: Magnetic field of a wire, geomagnetic field Electric power generator |
Mon. 9/29
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| Lecture 13 |
Chap 10
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Einstein's Relativity
The relativity principle, observers, reference frames The velocity of light c is constant |
Wed. 10/1
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| Lecture 14 |
Chap 10
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Special Relativity Einstein's thought experiments Time dilation, length contraction, mass increase, E = mc2 Global Positioning System (GPS) |
Fri. 10/3 |
| Lecture 15 |
Abstract due
Chap 10 |
Space-time, world-lines
Causality in relativity Relativistic force law, relativistic speed limit |
Mon. 10/6
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| Lecture 16 |
Chap 11.1
Chap. 10.6 |
General Relativity
Acceleration is indistinguishable from gravity Time travel, the twin paradox |
Wed. 10/8
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| Review Exam 1 | Fri. 10/10 | ||
| Exam 1 | Mon. 10/13 | ||
| Lecture 17 |
Chap 11.1-4
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Curved Space-Time
The Big Bang The microwave background, our first snapshot after the Big Bang The shape of the universe |
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