This Week in Modern Physics
General Relativity Classwork
We're currently studying Einstein's theory of General Relativity, which explains how gravity and acceleration have the same effect on space-time. Click the link above for a copyof the classwork handout.
General Relativity Test (Tuesday, 2008-04-29)
Bring a pencil, some scratch paper, and a calculator (optional) to class on Tuesday. Click the link above for the list of test topics.
(past announcements)
Online Resources
- The following internet resources may be of use to help supplement what we cover in class, particularly for students who may have missed classes (more coming soon):
- Dr. Stern - Frames of Reference
- Great intro page describing frames of reference, and covers uniform motion.
- Wikipedia - Frame of Reference
- This page is pretty complex, but the Overview section is easier to understand. It ends up touching on many relativistic concepts we will be covering, but in a fairly formal mathematical way. There are also pages for intertial and non-inertial reference frames.
- Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Animation
- A picture to help you visualize how an electromagnetic wave (e.g., a photon of visible light) self-propagates through space.
- Wikipedia - Electromagnetic Radiation
- Another very detailed and complex page, but much of the information is pretty easy to understand.
- Wikipedia - Luminiferous Aether
- Great historical treatment of the (incorrect) 19th century theory about the medium through which light waves supposedly propagate.
- Berkeley Prof. Mendez's Relativity Lecture Notes
- Good notes and diagrams from an Astronomy perspective.
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- Dr. Kromm's Patented Math and Physics Tutorial
- This doesn't really have much about Modern Physics, but it does contain some good science basic math, such as scientific notation, significant figures, etc.
What is Modern Physics?
Have you ever wondered why Einstein was considered such a brilliant thinker? Why nothing can exceed the speed of light? What physicists mean by a single "theory of everything"? Are you curious about the nature of reality, our experience of it, and how each affects the other? This seminar will examine the absolutely crazy and counterintuitive behavior of both the very big and the very small.
The extremely useful concepts studied in Physics 1 & 2 constitute the foundation of what is known as Classical Physics, itself the foundation for nearly all of the technological achievements made during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. These laws governing Newton's "clockwork universe" were all well understood and accepted as dogma by scientists and engineers at the start of the twentieth century, but then Einstein and others came along and turned physics on its head. Modern Physics is their legacy, a collection of theories that challenge some of our most fundamental assumptions about the world we live in.
The great classical (and pre-classical) physicists referred to their study as Natural Philosophy. It wasn't until Galileo, the father of the scientific method, that it became well-grounded through careful experimentation. Modern Physicists often conduct thought experiments and use very abstract models to explain the behavior of objects and situations that exist very far from our everyday experience. In a sense, their methods and results restore the philosophical nature that characterized the inquiry of Aristotle. Thus, I subtitle this course "Philosophy of the Natural World".
Course Organization and Schedule
Class time will be divided between interactive discussions, video and audio recordings, computer simulations, and group problem solving. There will be very few homework assignments. Group problem solving during the final 30 minutes or so of each class will take the place normally occupied by homework. Each group will turn in the results of their problem solving, and then one group will present their results. Tests will be relatively easy, as compared to the problems tackled in our group work.
During the fourth quarter, students will individually study a modern physics topic of interest, and turn in a short paper covering the topic. More details will be provided later.
As class participation will constitute the largest component of a student's grade, all members of the class are expected to actively engage in our discussions. Despite the length of the eighth period and the fact that it comes at the end of the school day, all students will demonstrate investment in the class every day for the entire period.
Class Policies
- Each student will maintain a single Modern Physics Binder containing all handouts, lecture/discussion notes, group work, tests and other course materials. These materials will be filed in chronological order within the binder.
- Students must bring their Modern Physics Binder, pencil, and blank paper to class every single day.
- A student who is absent must take the responsibility for mastering the material covered in class that day. Check with a classmate to find out what went on while you were absent, and plan to spend an extra 3 hours of your own time studying the material covered on each day you miss.
- I am available for help during study periods and lunch, but only if you make an appointment first. If you have a question, you may also email it to me at CSchneider@BitneyPrep.net or call me at 470-0134.
How Grades are Computed
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Assignment Categories |
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Letter Grades |
| Participation |
40% |
A: 90% and above
B: 80% and above
C: 70% and above
D: 65% and above
F: below 65% |
| Group Class Work |
15% |
| Unit Tests |
20% |
| Student Papers |
20% |
| Study Hall |
5% |
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