NFYA28 Physics and Mankind, 5 ECTS-points
/FYSIKEN OCH MÄNNISKAN/

Advancement level:
A

Aim:
The course treats the history of physical ideas and concepts. A main purpose is to describe the changes in mans conception of the world that has taken place during the 20:th century by way of the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics.

Prerequisites:
General qualifications for university studies.

Course organization:
The course is presented in lectures and seminars.

Course content:
The problem of change from Zeno to Galilei. What is temperature? What is entropy. The second law of thermodynamics and the arrow of time. Space, time and space-time: the experimental fact that the speed of light is the same for all observers has revolutionary consequences for our views of space, time and simultaneity. How to realize that E=mc2. Absolute space and Machs principle: from Newtons bucket to Einsteins general theory of relativity. The quantum mechanical revolution. The wave-particle dualism. Is the moon there if you do not look at it? The contributions of quantum mechanics to the eternal questions.

Course literature:
Fysiken och Människan: en antologi. The text can be bought at Linus and Linnea.

TEN2Written examination 5p
Course language is Swedish.