HPS 0410 Einstein for Everyone Spring 2008

This is an archived copy of the Spring 2008 course documents. Not all links will work!

Lectures

Assignments

Course Description

Schedule

Term paper

Sign in sheet

Title page, Preface and Table of Contents for Einstein for Everyone

Introduction: the questions

Special relativity: the basics

Problem of Reciprocity

E=mc2

Origins of Special Relativity

Spacetime

What is a four dimensional space like?

Philosophical Significance of the Special Theory of Relativity.

Non-Euclidean Geometry
Euclid's Postulates and Some Non-Euclidean Alternatives

General Relativity

Relativistic Cosmology

Big Bang Cosmology

Black Holes

A Better Picture of Black Holes

Atoms and the Quantum

Quantum Theory

1. It Isn't That Easy

2. Principle of Relativity

3. Relativity of Simultaneity

4. Origins of Special Relativity

5. Spacetime

6. Philosophical Significance

7. Non-Euclidean Geometry

8. Curvature

9. General Relativity

10. Relativistic Cosmology

11. Big Bang Cosmology

12. Black Holes

13. Quantum Theory

Note schedule changes for Martin Luther King birthday observation. Details.

Last update: March 21, 2008.