Introductory Physics (week 1)t oducto y ys cs ( ee )@K301

Yasuyuki Matsuda

Self introductionSelf introductionMATSUDA, Yasuyuki born in 1968, at Nemuro, Hokkaido Kyoto Univ. RIKEN (1998~2007) U. Tokyo (2008~)y ( ) y ( )

My research field is “low-energy particle physics My research field is low energy particle physics experiment”

Conducting research programs at Conducting research programs at CERN (Switzerland) J-PARC(Tokai, Ibaraki) J PARC(Tokai, Ibaraki)

Where is Nemuro?Where is Nemuro? the east end

of Japan population

~30,000 industries:

fishing, dairy

famous for bird watching

Where is Nemuro?Where is Nemuro?Tokyo 23 wards : Nemuro city : area 622km2, pop. 9,150,000

area 512km2, pop. 28,000p p p p

Why we learn Physics?Why we learn Physics? Learn thinking skills. How to make a simple model for (seemingly) complicated

problem.H l l l l ( l ) d ff l How to apply a simple rule to solve (seemingly) difficult problem.

Thinking Skills for the problem solvingThinking Skills for the problem solving

Analyzing

Evaluating

y g

Applying

CreatingUnderstanding

Remembering

Why we learn Physics?Why we learn Physics? Learn thinking skills. How to make a simple model for (seemingly) complicated

problem.H l l l l ( l ) d ff l How to apply a simple rule to solve (seemingly) difficult problem.

Learn basis for further studies in natural science and i iengineering.

Understand that the universe is predictable, rather than i l imagical or mysterious.

FACT: The universe obeys the laws (of physics)physics) Whatever happens, there is a cause for that. We can predict the future, based on the knowledge of the

present. By combining simple rules, we can obtain more

complicated/sophisticated rules, and still be certain that those new rules are true.

About this courseAbout this course Syllabus says “This calculus-based introductory (classical)

Mechanics course provides the basic principle and concepts (which are) required to understand nature”.

Why “Calculus-based” ? Because in order to understand the logic of the nature, we

need mathematics, especially calculus. “The Book of Nature is written in the language of

mathematics” (Galileo Galilei)

Contents of the courseContents of the course Introduction Measurement and its uncertainty, units, dimension Coordination system

N t ’ l f ti d th l f it ti Newton’s laws of motion and the law of gravitation Motion of dropping objects, study of trajectories

Linear oscillations Linear oscillations Harmonic oscillation, dumping oscillation

Energy conservation Energy conservation Linear momentum conservation Angular momentum conservation Angular momentum conservation Motion of a rigid body

Reference BooksReference Books “Cambridge International AS and

A level Physics Coursebook” (Cambridge University Press)

level: ★ Chap 1-7, and Chap18-20 covers

classical mechanics. not “calculus-based” (algebra-

based), but a good reading to get an idea how physics approaches problems.

Available in Globalization Office and Komaba Library

Reference BooksReference Books Louis A. Bloomfield “How Things

Work” (Wiley) level: ★1/2 not “calculus-based” (algebra-

based), but a fun book to read to know how law of physics appears in everyday’s life.

Available in Globalization Office

Reference BooksReference Books Halliday & Resnick “Fundamentals

of Physics” (Wiley) level: ★★

A standard textbook for freshman physics courses.

Chap.1-13 and 15 covers contents of this course

Available in Globalization Office and Komaba Library

Reference BooksReference Books R. Douglas Gregory “Classical

Mechanics” (Cambridge University Press)

level: ★★★

“for undergraduates in mathematics and physics”

For those who want a challenge. Available in Komaba Library

Reference BooksReference Books David Morin “Introduction to

Classical Mechanics” (Cambridge University Press)

level: ★★★1/2 “This book grew out of Harvard

University’s honors freshman mechanics course.”

For those who want a challenge. Available in Komaba Library

IntroductionIntroduction

What is Physics?What is Physics? Physics (from Greek: φύσις ‘physis’ = nature) Physics is an academic discipline which try to understand

how something (object, material, nature, organism, society ) behaves society…) behaves.

Physics uses Mathematics extensively.

There are many branches in physics. Particle physics : study the behavior of elementary Particle physics : study the behavior of elementary

particles (subatomic particles which constitute matter) nuclear physics atomic physics optical physics condensed nuclear physics, atomic physics, optical physics, condensed

matter physics, geophysics, astrophysics, biophysics, econophysics…

ApproachApproach

ObservationObservationFind a pattern

Make a hypothesisMake a mathematical model

Predict observables (solve the math equation)

yp

( q )Confirm prediction with measurements

if prediction disagrees… make another hypothesisif prediction agrees… make another prediction

to see if the hypothesis can explain other observations

This approach is a hallmark of all natural sciences but most prominently exercised in physics.

Physics ApproachPhysics Approach If a hypothesis explains many phenomena, the hypothesis

f becomes a law of physics. A law of physics is not the truth, just a successful hypothesis.

Good hypothesis should lead to same prediction for same problem Using mathematical equations makes its prediction objective,

quantitative (and easy)quantitative (and easy).

should not conflict with other established laws of physics. should be able to explain many phenomena should be able to explain many phenomena. gives more predictions – more possibility to be disputed. “special hypothesis” which only applies to a single case is less valuable special hypothesis which only applies to a single case is less valuable.