Textbooks:
Revolutions in Physics, Casper and Noer, Norton (You have been using this one for some time, now.).
Black Holes and Time Warps, by Kip S. Thorne; Norton (1994).
Albert Einstein and the Frontiers of Physics, by Jeremy Bernstein.
What it's all about:
Welcome back to the second half of your immersion in revolutionary physics.
At the end of first block you had studied the birth of what we understand as
science and had acquired an appreciation of Newton's universe, often called
"The Clockwork Universe". This block we will study Einstein's great
contribution to classical physics, his "special" theory of relativity.
Einstein showed that Newton's concept of time, seemingly so obvious and necessary,
was merely a useful approximation. You will, after a couple of weeks, really
have a grip on this theory, and be able to dazzle the uninitiated with incredible
but correct pronouncements on simultaneity and the feasibility of intergalactic
travel.
We will move on to consider some of the astonishing traits of the large-scale behavior of the universe. In contrast to our study of special relativity, you will not be able to do all the math for black holes. However, your brains will still get a fair amount of exercise.
How much time we spend on the life of Einstein will depend on how much time you want to spend on black holes. Overall, this part of the course will probably feature more physics and less history.
Course mechanics
Meeting times: We will probably meet every morning M-F at 9 am. You will be taking turns explaining your homework to the class. We will ponder difficult or subtle questions and tackle some popular paradoxes.
Labs: You will be continuing your long-term observation projects. I want
these to be exquisite.
Homework: Our experience in the physics department is that not doing the
homework assignments is usually fatal. Some of the assignments may be collected
and even graded; you will be told when this is the case. Assignments will be
listed here. If it seems it will be helpful,
I'll write up some solutions and scan them in.
Tests: There will be at least one test on relativity when we complete that
section. We'll decide later how we will handle the other material. Often my
tests are open-book, open-note. Look for test information here.
Your grade: Will depend mostly on your test(s) and on
your projects. There will be influences from class participation. All grades
are on a curve.
Office hours: I am usually in my office till about 6
pm. The exceptions to that occur when I leave earlier to play or to watch hockey.
Unfortunately the Avalanche have a home game the last Tuesday of the block so
I may leave shortly after 4 pm that day. I rarely have anything better to do
than to talk to students so don’t hesitate to stop by in the afternoons.
At noontimes, if I am not in a department meeting or a seminar, I am at the
ice rink. You’re more than welcome to put on a pair of skates and discuss
physics, or anything else, at that time.
I’m hoping we all have a good time in here. ----- Stephanie
Sonic Booms: I mentioned nice web site. Check it out.
Other Links: The page on intervals is here.
PS: I understand you tried Galileo. Here's a picture of where he was tried a few hundred years ago. I'm not sure the elephant and the obelisk were there at the time.