Physics
609
A Distance Learning Course for Teachers of Physics
|
|
PHYS 609: Galileo and Einstein
Spring 2003
Instructor: Richard A. Lindgren, Research Professor of Physics
Lecturer and Demonstrator: Steve Schnatterly, Professor of
Physics
This 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.
Chatroom Discussion on Tuesday and/or Wednesday 8:00-9:00 PM.
Texts: Required
Theories of the World from Antiquity to the Copernican Revolution
by M. J. Crowe
ISBN 0-486-41444-2 paperback
Newton to Einstein ( the trail of light) by R. Baierlein
ISBN 0-521-41171-8 paperback
Recommended but not required
Siderius Nuncius by Galileo Galilei translated by Albert van Helden
Relativity, the Special and General Theory by Albert Einstein
CLASS AND LECTURE INFORMATION
Up-to-date lecture notes, PowerPoint slides, homework assignments, and
other course information can be found on Toolkit (an e-class website).
Click
here to go to the Toolkit homepage for PHYS 609.
Lecture notes for an earlier edition of this course can be found at http://galileoandeinstein.physics.virginia.edu.. Information on this web page will not be updated, but will be referred to from time to time.
Sample Lecture Document
Click here for Lecture 2
Celestial Journal
For the ancients, observing the motions of the objects in the heavens
was an everynight experience. This is more difficult for us, because night
skies are less clear and usually well lit. To reconnect your self with at
least one of the celestial objects, each of you will keep a journal with
the following observations. Record the date of each observation and the time
to the nearest 15 minutes.
Sun: AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER. Measure the angle of the sun above the horizon around noontime. Make a graph in your journal showing this angle plotted against date during the semester.
Celestial groups: To collect the above data, you may form groups of three or fewer students. You may use students in your classroom to help. The data you record in your journal must be taken by you or your students. You may also wrok with another teacher to form a group. Your own journal should include all the observations described above whether recorded by you or another member of your group. We will discuss on the videotapes how to make the above measurements. Your journal should describe the method you used.
Grading
There will be regular homework exercises worth 35% of the final grade.
A midterm exam will be given worth 20%
The Celestial Journal is worth 10%
A final exam is worth 30%
Listserve participation is worth 5%.
Course Information:
Revised March 10, 2003.