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The Evolution of Modern Physics: How We Understand the Physical World
The Evolution of Modern Physics: How We Understand the Physical World
Group size
2-6 students
Outcome
A short paper on the modern physics topic of your choice and a presentation discussing your research
Tuition
$495
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The Evolution of Modern Physics: How We Understand the Physical World
In 1900, Lord Kelvin famously said, “There is nothing new to be discovered in physics now. All that remains is more and more precise measurement.” However, just a few years later, relativity and quantum mechanics emerged, completely revolutionizing our understanding of the universe. This course explores how Einstein redefined space, time, and gravity, how quantum mechanics revealed the strange wave-like nature of matter, and how scientists today are working to unify these theories. You’ll dive into groundbreaking ideas, tackle fascinating paradoxes, and explore key experiments that shaped modern physics.
Week by week curriculum
Week 1
Special Relativity: Students will learn the fundamentals of Einstein’s special relativity, including the concepts of space and time, and how the theory resolves paradoxes like the twin paradox, providing a foundation for understanding more complex theories.
Week 2
General Relativity: This session focuses on how general relativity expands upon special relativity to explain gravity and the curvature of spacetime, and students will explore its experimental validation and real-world implications.
Week 3
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics: Students will discover the wave-particle duality of light and matter, learning how energy is quantized and how this understanding led to the development of quantum mechanics, reshaping our view of the microscopic world.
Week 4
Heisenberg Uncertainty and Schrodinger’s Wave Equation: This week introduces Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle and Schrodinger’s wave equation, allowing students to understand quantum mechanics at a deeper level and apply these concepts to solve problems like quantum tunneling.
Week 5
Quantum Field Theory and Unification Efforts: Students will learn how quantum field theory combines special relativity with quantum mechanics and explore efforts to unite the fundamental forces of nature into the standard model and beyond, leading to the search for a Grand Unified Theory.
Week 6
Present Your Work: Students will present on a modern physics topic of their choice, applying what they’ve learned throughout the course and engaging with their peers to deepen their understanding of contemporary physics topics.