Intro to Physics March 31, 2008Lecture 1 1UCSDPhysics 10Physics 10: Concepts in PhysicsPhysics 10: Concepts in PhysicsThe Rules of the UniverseThe Rules of the UniverseTom MurphyTom MurphyNewton EinsteinSpring 2008 2UCSDPhysics 10Course ObjectivesCourse Objectives1.1.Explore the approach that physics brings to bearExplore the approach that physics brings to bearon the world around uson the world around us– Reductionism– Scientific Method• Gravitation and General Relativity as a case study– Empiricism & Skepticism– Quantitative ModelsSpring 2008 3UCSDPhysics 10Course Objectives, continuedCourse Objectives, continued2.2.Appreciate the influence physics has on us allAppreciate the influence physics has on us all– Begin to see physics in the world around you– Develop your natural intuition, stimulate curiosity– Think into the unknown (ooh that’s scary!)3.3.Understand basic laws of physicsUnderstand basic laws of physics– Newton’s laws of motion, gravitation (even relativity)– Concepts of mass, force, acceleration, energy,momentum, power, etc.– Electromagnetism– Quantum Mechanics– Light and opticsSpring 2008 4UCSDPhysics 10Course Objectives, continuedCourse Objectives, continued4.4.Map out the hierarchy of the UniverseMap out the hierarchy of the Universe– The cosmos• Earth, Moon, Sun, Solar system• Stars, our Galaxy, other galaxies• Cosmological scales: clustering, accelerating Universe– The microcosmos• Molecules, compounds, atoms• Subatomic particles, fundamental forces5.5.Exposing the limits of our understandingExposing the limits of our understanding– Complexity: chaos, biological systems, economics– Unification schemes: string theory, supersymmetry6.6.Enhance your scientific literacyEnhance your scientific literacy– know the difference between science and the supernatural– feel encouraged to read popular science articles/booksIntro to Physics March 31, 2008Lecture 1 2Spring 2008 5UCSDPhysics 10Course StructureCourse Structure••Full class meets 3 times per week in WLH 2005Full class meets 3 times per week in WLH 2005– MWF 2:00–2:50 PM• Lectures– PowerPoint presentations– Lecture materials will be made available on the web• Demonstrations (lots of these!)• Exams: Midterm May. 2; Final Friday, June 13, 3PM••Discussion section meets once per weekDiscussion section meets once per week– W 4:00–4:50 PM: Warren Lecture Hall 2111; Jim Wilson• Opportunity for discussions on course material, exam prep, etc.• Work out example problems and questions• Mock Quizzes••Problem sessions once per weekProblem sessions once per week– Th 8:009:50 PM, Center Hall 212; Jim Wilson• Primary focus on homework, some exam prep/reviewSpring 2008 6UCSDPhysics 10ResourcesResources••Your Fellow Students!Your Fellow Students!– Encouraged to work together on homework, exercises (but not onexams!)••Professor : Tom MurphyProfessor : Tom MurphyOffice in SERF building, Room 336, office hours Th 1:30–2:30 PM, orby appointment, 858.534.1844, [email protected]••Teaching Assistant:Teaching Assistant: Jim WilsonJim WilsonOffice in SERF 434, office hours Th 2:30 PM – 4:00 [email protected]••Web: Web: physics.physics.ucsducsd.edu/~tmurphy/phys10/.edu/~tmurphy/phys10/– Also WebCT for assignments, transmitter registration, etc.••TextText– Conceptual Physics, Ninth Edition, Paul G. Hewitt– used text to save you guys $$Spring 2008 7UCSDPhysics 10GradingGradingvia transmitter systemvia transmitter systemevery lectureevery lectureClass Class ParticipParticip..up to 15%up to 15%CommentsCommentsDueDueFormatFormatWeightWeight3:00 PM3:00 PMJunJun. . 1313 ( (FriFri))Final*Final*<35%*<35%*22:00 PM, in class:00 PM, in classMay 2May 2 (Fri) (Fri)Midterm*Midterm*<30%*<30%*Boolean (P/F)Boolean (P/F)by F, by F, WebCTWebCTQuestion/Question/ObsObs..10%10%No lateNo late submissionssubmissionsFriday in classFriday in classHomeworkHomework25%25%* Midterm and Final may count for as little as 15% or 20%, respectively, given extent of classroom participation. Example: if you have 6/10 points for classroom participation, youcan deduct 9% from either the midterm or the final weight (whichever grade is worse).Spring 2008 8UCSDPhysics 10WhatWhat’’s with these questions/observations?s with these questions/observations?••Science is as much about Science is as much about questionsquestions as as answersanswers..– Every other week, you’ll submit a question or observationabout the physical world around you.• Something you’ve always wondered about• Something you recently noticed• Something that class prompted you to think about– Will post some from each submission on website• with answers (when possible) or discussion– Goal is to increase your awareness, observational skills• We’re immersed in physics: easy to ignore, but also easy to see!• You’ll begin to think more deeply before shoving problem aside• Allow your natural curiosity to come aliveIntro to Physics March 31, 2008Lecture 1 3Spring 2008 9UCSDPhysics 10Questions/Observations, continuedQuestions/Observations, continued••Examples:Examples:– Questions• What makes velcro stick?• Why do my cheerios attract each other into little flotillas?• Where do trees get their mass? Out of dirt? Why aren’t thereholes in the ground around trees if this is the case?• Why is the sky blue? Why not purple?– Observations• I’ve noticed small rainbow patches in the sky way off to thesides of the sun on hazy winter days. What are those?• I’ve heard that toilets flush the other way around in thesouthern hemisphere, but on my trip to New Zealand, theyflushed the same way as they do here! What’s up with that?!Spring 2008 10UCSDPhysics 10Topics to be CoveredTopics to be Covered••What constitutes physicsWhat constitutes physics••The BIG picture: macro- and micro-cosmosThe BIG picture: macro- and micro-cosmos••NewtonNewton’’s laws of motion, energy, momentum, etc.s laws of motion, energy, momentum, etc.••Gravity and Relativity: from Newton to EinsteinGravity and Relativity: from Newton to Einstein••Electromagnetism and LightElectromagnetism and Light••Quantum Mechanics and associated weirdnessQuantum Mechanics and associated weirdness••The frontiers of physicsThe frontiers of physics••TheThe role of physics in our societyrole of physics in our societySpring 2008 11UCSDPhysics