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InstructorsInstructor of RecordDr. R.A. Lindgren, Research Professor of Physics Phone: 434-982-2691 E-mail: ral5q@virginia.edu Lecturer & Demonstrator Dr. Michael Fowler, Maxine S. and Jesse W. Beams Professor of Physics DescriptionThis course explores how humankind's perceptions of the universe developed over time from the ancient Greeks to Einstein. Our solar system played the role of a valuable laboratory in the development of these ideas. The celestial objects – the moon, sun, planets, and stars – once seen as deities, were eventually realized to be material objects obeying the same laws of motion as objects here on Earth. This synthesis was achieved within the assumption that space and time are absolute, and have nothing to do with each other. Einstein realized that this was not the whole truth; space and time are not as straightforward as they at first appear, but are related to each other in a simple way.These two achievements, understanding the physical nature of our solar system and understanding the complex nature of space and time, are two of the greatest revolutions in the history of human thought. How this came about and the remarkable individuals who played key roles in the development of these ideas are the foci of this course. This is a graduate credit distance-learning physics course for study at home. The level is suitable for K6-K12 teachers with a minimum knowledge of mathematics. This course can be used for re-certification, endorsement credit, and can be used in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Masters of Arts in Physics Education degree at UVa. Books for the Course Uncommon Sense. Alan Cromer, Oxford, 1993. ISBN
0195096363.This book attempts to understand why science and mathematics flourished in some cultures, such as ancient Greece, but not in other highly developed ones, such as ancient Israel. It reaches some interesting conclusions.  Sidereus Nuncius. Galileo Galilei, translated by
Albert van Helden, Chicago 1989. ISBN 0226279030.
This is a first-hand account of GalileoÕs astronomical discoveries with the first telescope: the moons of Jupiter, the phases of Venus, the rocky surface of the Moon, and more. Dialogues Concerning Two New Sciences. Galileo Galilei, translated by Henry Crew and Alfonso de Salvio, Dover, New  York,
1954. ISBN 0486600998.
This book contains a huge amount of material, including a lot of rather obscure geometry we donÕt need, but it also has some brilliant, simple arguments that revolutionized scientific thinking. DonÕt be put off by looking through it: we will only be covering certain selected parts.  Relativity: The Special and General Theory.
Albert Einstein, Three Rivers Press, New York, 1961. ISBN 0517884410.
This book is deliberately included so that you can see something written by Einstein on relativity. However, we will concentrate on the descriptive parts, and will not discuss either the Lorentz transformations or anything in the more mathematical second half of the book. You are welcome to buy the books online, such as at Amazon.com. Most students order their books online from other sources and require immediate delivery. I do not order any books for the UVa book store. If you need help in ordering a text, you may call the book store at 434-924-3721. |
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Physics 609
A Distance Learning Course for High School Physics and |
Updated information will be posted as it
becomes available.