J.P. Jacobs-PHYS 195N
J. P. Jacobs - PHYS 195N
Taught Spring Semester - MWF 10:10 pm - Davidson Honor's College, DHC 117
Relativity (Honors Course), 3 credits. Offered spring semester. In this course,
industrious students with a working knowledge of algebra and trigonometry
and a modest exposure to calculus will gain deep insight into the counter
intuitive nature of space and time and will acquire a greater
appreciation for the power and beauty of theoretical physics.
We will begin with a brief historical view of the
study of motion including the works of Aristotle, Galileo, and Newton. We
will explore the necessity of introducing relativity theory to match known
experimental results. Einstein's special theory of relativity is
introduced from a modern, geometrically oriented
perspective, using space time diagrams throughout, and
emphasizing the deep connection between time and space. We will carefully
develop the Lorentz transformation equations and use them to explore
several of the apparent "paradoxes" of the theory. Finally, we will apply
the results of relativity theory to the practical real world problems of
high-energy particle physics, where the use of relativity is essential.
Throughout the course, we will emphasize the logical
structure of relativity to show how the unexpected and
counter intuitive consequences of the theory follow directly and
inevitably from the principle of relativity
("the laws of physics are the same in all inertial
reference frames"). Prerequisites: Working knowledge of high school
algebra and trigonometry. Some exposure to high school physics and
calculus is preferred.
View a recent Syllabus | (downloadable pdf format best viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader.)
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