PHYSICS 109 TOPICS

Ancient Scholarship: The Greeks were differentThales

All is waterSimilar triangles

PythagoreansAll is numberMusical scalesPythagorean theoremIrrational numbers

Sun, Moon, Stars, PlanetsEcliptic, equinoxes, solstice, eclipses, retrograde motionSize of Earth, distance to moon, distance to sunAristarchus

PlatoTwo levels of realityFour elements and regular solids

AristotleDeductive, Inductive logicNatural, violent motionFalling bodies

PtolemyPlanetary model: Deferent, epicycle, equant, eccentric circle, retrograde motion

CopernicusHeliocentric model, retrograde motion, distances to sun, criteria for a good theory in science.

Kepler and BraheMars trick, the three laws

GalileoTelescope: Mountains on moon, Moons of Jupiter, Phases of Venus

Description of Motion:Graphs, Relative motion, Principle of Inertia, Inclined planeConstant velocityUniform accelerationProjectile motionGalilean principle of relativityScaling

NewtonThe three laws of motionCircular motionThe apple and the moonLaw of gravity and Kepler’s third lawTidesDiscovery of new planets

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Work and EnergyKE, PEConservationE = KE + PE

LightNewton’s particle theoryRefractionWavesInterference: two slit, soap filmsMaxwell’s equationsEtherMichelson and the interferometer“Save the Ether”Does speed of light depend on motion of source?

EinsteinThe PhotonThe two principles of relativitySynchronizing clocksSimultaneity, time dilation, length contraction, time of flightTest of time dilationEnergy has inertiaFusion reactions in the sunAdding velocities, Train and tunnel, Twin paradox, Spacetime

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