Lecture 1 (1/14/04) (Hobson 1:1-3): Syllabus, Quantitative
Math Assessment, Course
Questionaire were handed out. The lecture covered the scientific method
and began to develop the
early astronomy of the Greeks and the Renaissance as examples.
Lecture 2 (1/21/04) (Hobson 1:4-6, Hobson 3:1-2): We
concluded the discussion of early astronomy
(epicycles)
and proceeded onto views of the motion of objects from Aristotle's
point of view.
Lecture 3 (1/26/04) (Hobson 3:3-7): We discussed Galileo's
ideas about motion, and
explained the concepts of superposition and inertia. We demonstrated
the
motion of projectiles and ended with the falling projectile and target
experiment.
Lecture 4 (1/28/04) (Hobson 10:2, Hobson 2:3,5) We
explained what "relativity" theory is.
We will explain why the path of light must be curved if
Galileo's law of falling is correct. We discussed making quantitative
estimates of physical quantities.
Lecture 5 (2/2/04) (Hobson 7:8, Hobson 4:1-2)
We talked about
probability and statistics and how they impact interpretation of
experimental data.
We then introduced momentum and did experiments to convince ourselves
that momentum was conserved in collisions.
Lecture 6 (2/4/04) (Hobson 4:3-6): We defined forces as
things that alter momentum. We explained Newton's Laws and how
Newton's picture of gravity as a force provides a deeper understanding
of
falling than Galileo's Law.
Lecture 7 (2/9/04) (Hobson 6:1-5,7): Kinetic energy,
potential energy and conservation of energy. We discussed
units and relationships between all the descriptions of motion we have
introduced to date (see handout on quantities
of motion).
Lecture 8 (2/11/04) (Hobson 6:6, 7:1-5): Tranformations
and dissipation of energy; entropy.
Lecture 9 (2/16/04) (Hobson 8:4-5): Phenomena of
Electricity and Magnetism
Lecture 10 (2/18/04) (Hobson 8:1-3, 9:1,4): What's a
wave?
Properties of waves. Interference of waves. Light as a wave
(see Java Applet).
Lecture 11 (2/23/04) "Relativity of Light" (Hobson 8:3,
9:2-3): Two source interference (see handout
on Young's Interference).
How fast is light?
Lecture 12 (2/25/04) "The Importance of Lightspeed"
(Hobson 10:3-5)
Light speed and measuring time from a clock.
The medium of light and the Michelson-Morley experiment.
Lecture 13 (3/1/04) "The Wacky World of Einstein's
Relativity" (Hobson 10:6-7, Hobson 11:1): Using the speed of light
as a clock. Einstein's
principle of relativity. Time dilation. Simultaneity.
Lecture 14 (3/3/04) "The Wacky World of Einstein's
Relativity" (Hobson 11:2-3): Length contraction. $E=mc^2$.
Paradoxes.
Lecture 15 (3/15/04) "Relativity and The Universe"
(Hobson 11:4-8): General relativity. Equivalence Principle.
Curved spacetime. Black holes. The big bang, dark matter and the fate
of the Universe. The revival of Einstein's biggest blunder!
Special Review Lecture (3/17/04)
Lecture 15 (3/24/04) " What's a Quantum and how can I
get my hands on one?" (Hobson 2:2,4,7-8, 13:1-2): Atoms. How big
is an atom? Parts inside an atom? Quanta.
Lecture 16 (3/29/04) "Quantum Mechanics I", (Hobson
13:2-5): Quanta of light, photoelectric effect. Wave nature of
particle. deBroglie wavelength. Interference of particles.
Lecture 17 (3/31/04) "Quantum Mechanics II" (Hobson
13:6-7, Chapter 14:3-5): Measurement in Quantum Mechanics.
Stern-Gerlach spin experiment. Heisenberg
Uncertainty Principle. Atoms. The discovery of the electron.
Lecture 18 (4/5/04) "The Bohr Atom" (Hobson Chapter
8:6-7, Chapter 14:1-2): Rutherford's Experiment. Bohr's solution to the
planetary problem.
Lecture 19 (4/7/04) "The Nucleus: Radioactivity and Fusion"
(Hobson Chapter 15:1-5): What's this nucleus anyway? Radioactivity.
Lecture 20 (4/12/04) "Fission and Fusion" (Hobson
Chapter 16:1-5): Fission and fusion. How the "atomic bomb" works.
Lecture 21 (4/14/04) "Nuclear Power and Weapons"
(Hobson Chapter 15:6-7; Chapter 16:6-7):
Nuclear power, nuclear weapons, risk assessment.
