PHYS 115: Aspects of Physics     Fall 2011   9:50-11:00 MWF

The Nature of Time

Instructor: Matt Stoneking

This course explores a physicist’s understanding of the nature of time.  Topics to be covered include the measurement of time (clocks), time as a space-like coordinate (spacetime), why “past” and “future” are different from “left” and “right” (increasing entropy and the arrow of time), and the possible origin and end of time (cosmology).

The Persistence of Memory, by Salvador Dali

“What is time?  Who can explain this easily and briefly?  Who can comprehend this even in thought so as to articulate the answer in words?  Yet what do we speak of, in our familiar everyday conversation, more than time?  We surely know what we mean when we speak of it.  We also know what is meant when we hear someone else talking about it.  What then is time?  Provided that no one asks me, I know.  If I want to explain it to an inquirer, I do not know.”  - Augustine, Confessions

The quote by Augustine is as relevant today as it was sixteen centuries ago.  The nature of time continues to occupy and perplex philosophers, artists, physicists, and others.   This course will explore the nature of time as it is presently understood in the discipline of physics.  Einstein showed that time is similar to a spatial coordinate.  However, while you can walk north or south, you can only move toward the future in time.  The law of increasing entropy provides a natural explanation for the arrow of time, but leads to interesting open questions in cosmology such as whether time began at the Big Bang and whether time has an end.  There are no prerequisites for this course.

PHYSICS 115: The Nature of Time

Instructor: Matt Stoneking

Youngchild 115, 9:50-11:00 AM MWF

 

Catalog description:

This course explores a physicist’s understanding of the nature of time. Topics to be covered include the measurement of time (clocks), time as a space-like coordinate (spacetime), why “past” and “future” are different from “left” and “right” (increasing entropy and the arrow of time), and the possible origin and end of time (cosmology).

 

Texts:

·         From Eternity to Here, The Quest for the Ultimate Theory of Time, by Sean Carroll (Dutton, 2010) ISBN: 0452296544.

·         Einstein’s Dreams, by Alan Lightman (Pantheon, 1993)

·         Longitude, by Dava Sobel (Walker, 1995)

Course Units:

1.       Astronomy and Calendars

2.       Clocks

3.       Relativity and Spacetime

4.       Dating Life and the Earth

5.       The Second Law of Thermodynamics and the Arrow of Time

6.       Cosmology: The Big Bang and the Early Universe

Graded elements:

·         Attendance, preparation, and participation         20%

·         Projects, presentations, assignments                     15%

·         Quizzes                                                                                                20%

·         Midterm exam                                                                  20%

·         Final exam                                                                          25%

Course Schedule (subject to change):

UNIT 1: Astronomy and Calendars

Mon. 12 Sept. Introduction to the Course

Wed. 14 Sept. Astronomy and Calendars

Read Augustine, Confessions, Book 11

Fri. 16 Sept. Astronomy and Calendars

Read Prologue and PART ONE (Chapters 1-3) of Carroll

 

 

Mon. 19 Sept. Time in Cognitive Science

Visiting speaker:  Prof. Bob Williams, Dept. of Education

Wed. 21 Sept. Astronomy and Calendars

            Quiz #1

Fri. 23 Sept. Astronomy and Calendars

            Calendar presentations

 

UNIT 2: Clocks

Mon. 26 Sept. Time on Stage

            Visiting instructor: Prof. Tim Troy, Dept. of Theater Arts

Wed. 28 Sept. Clocks

Quiz #2

Read Sobel Chapters 1-5

Sundial activity

Fri. 30 Sept. Clocks

            Read Sobel Chapters 6-10

Pendulum activity

 

Mon. 3 Oct. Time and Music

            Visiting instructor:  Prof. Andy Mast, Conservatory of Music

Wed. 5 Oct. Clocks

            Quiz #3

            Read Sobel Chapter 11-15

            Atomic spectroscopy and time standards

 

UNIT 3: Relativity and Spacetime

Fri. 7 Oct. Relativity and Spacetime

            Read Chapter 4 of Carroll


Mon. 10 Oct. Relativity and Spacetime

            Read all chapters of Lightman

Wed. 12 Oct. Relativity and Spacetime

            Read Chapter 5 of Carroll

            Quiz #4

Fri. 14 Oct. MIDTERM EXAM

 

Mon. 17 Oct. Relativity and Spacetime

            Read Chapter 6 of Carroll

Wed. 19 Oct. Relativity and Spacetime

            Spacetime activity

Fri. 21 Oct. Midterm Reading Period (no class)

 

UNIT 4: Dating Life and the Earth

Mon. 24 Oct. Dating Life and the Earth

            Visiting instructor: Prof. Marcia Bjornerud, Dept. of Geology

Wed. 26 Oct. Radioactive Decay and Dating

            Quiz #5

 

UNIT 5: The Second Law of Thermodynamics and the Arrow of Time

Fri. 28 Oct. Thermodynamics

Read Chapter 7 of Carroll

 

Mon. 31 Oct. Thermodynamics

Read Chapter 8 of Carroll

Wed. 2 Nov. Thermodynamics

            Quiz #6

Read Chapter 9 of Carroll

Fri. 4 Nov. Thermodynamics

Read Chapters 10-11 of Carroll

 

UNIT 6: Cosmology

Mon. 7 Nov. Cosmology

Read Chapter 12 of Carroll

Wed. 9 Nov. Cosmology

            Quiz #7

            Read Chapter 13 of Carroll

Fri. 11 Nov. Cosmology

Read Chapter 14 of Carroll

 

Mon. 14 Nov. Cosmology

            Visiting instructor: Prof. Megan Pickett, Dept. of Physics

            Read Chapters 15-16 of Carroll

Wed. 16 Nov. Cosmology

            Visiting instructor: Prof. Doug Martin, Dept. of Physics

 

FINAL EXAM: Sunday 20 November 3:00-5:30 PM