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