Link to New Physics 109N Home Page and Other Topics!
Note: I will leave this material on the Web for a while, even though the course is over. Next year, I plan to drop some of the earlier material to make room for a much more complete discussion of Relativity and its consequences. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who took the course any comments on which of the topics covered they particularly liked or disliked, as I decide what to leave in for next year!
PHYS 109N - Fall 1995
This course explores two revolutions in our perception of the universe. The first, in which Galileo played the leading role, was the realization that phenomena observed in the heavens could be understood in terms of universal laws that applied equally to everyday things on earth. Galileo was the first modern scientist: the first to appreciate the importance of experiment, the first to observe the heavens with a telescope. He wrote up his ideas and insights as a witty dialogue, which we shall use. The second revolution was Einstein's realization that space and time are not absolute, but are related; and mass and energy are different aspects of the same thing. As we shall see, Einstein's basic idea of relativity is an extension of Galileo's ideas on the subject.
INSTRUCTOR: Michael Fowler (Office Hours: Mon, Tues, 11:00-12:00, 1:00-2:00; Room 307)
TEXTBOOK: Two New Sciences and Sidereus Nuncius, by Galileo
Please post your questions about lectures, homework assignments, etc. on the newsgroup --- this way everybody can look at the questions and my answers, and perhaps we can get a discussion going about trickier points!
Greek Astronomy: How Far is the Moon?
Motion in the Heavens: Stars, Sun, Moon, Planets
Galileo's Acceleration Experiment
The Michelson-Morley Experiment
Special Relativity: What Time is it?
Special Relativity: Trains, Twins, Mass
The total of unpledged homeworks will count for 30% of the final grade. You are encouraged to work together in groups of two or three on these assignments. However, you should be sure each of you fully understands the work, as the pledged homeworks, which you must do alone, will be a lot like the unpledged homeworks.
The pledged homeworks will each count 15% of the final grade. They must be done without help from anyone, but you can use books, etc.
The first pledged homework will be given out October 3, due back October 12.
The second pledged homework will be given out November 14, due back November 21.
The final exam counts for 40% of the final grade.
An Art of Renaissance Science course at CUNY: Here is a nice presentation of Galileo's work and impact on general culture.
Galileo Museum in Florence This has everything, including Galileo's forefinger, but the web seems pretty slow in Italy, so think twice before clicking!
The NASA Galileo Jupiter probe: this spacecraft is scheduled to reach Jupiter and photograph the famous moons from close quarters in December!
I also just discovered that Albert van Helden, the translator and editor of our Siderius Nuncius text, is putting together a database on Galileo in connection with a course he's teaching at Rice University.
QUESTIONS? Send an e-mail to Michael Fowler or Chris Ingram. Don't forget to include a return e-mail address!