Video Lectures

Special software is required to use some of the files in this section: .rm.

During the summer of 2007, Excitatory Topics in Physics was recorded especially for OpenCourseWare. Below are links to the videos, along with breakdowns of the video content.

Lecture 1 Video: (220k)

Video lecture table
SEG # SEGMENT TITLES SEGMENT TOPICS STARTS AT (HR:MIN:SEC)
1 Introduction to Excitatory Topics in Physics Instructor Nick DiBella introduces himself and briefly discusses the course contents and format 0:00:00
2 What is Physics? General definition of physics as a collection of laws that describe everything. Isaac Newton and classical mechanics. Max Planck and classical electromagnetism. "Ultraviolet catastrophe."  Definition of energy
0:06:00
3 Modern Physics Major developments in physics during the 20th century, including quantum mechanics, special relativity, and general relativity 0:23:33
4 Walking Through a Wall Quantum physics predicts that there is a chance that a person could walk through a wall; Nick tests this prediction, without success 0:29:35
5 Special Relativity Definition of the two postulates of special relativity. Definition of an inertial observer 0:36:52
6 Relativity Demonstration Simple demonstration of relativity of two people walking at different constant speeds. Invariance of the speed of light 0:42:04

Lecture 2 Video: (220k)

Video lecture table
SEG # SEGMENT TITLES SEGMENT TOPICS STARTS AT (HR:MIN:SEC)
1 Lecture 1 Review Quick review of material from first lecture. Definitions of two postulates of special relativity 0:00:00
2 Addition of Velocities I Galilean addition of velocities, with equation. Relativity of speed for a train and rider system 0:04:35
3 Addition of Velocities II Relativistic addition of velocities, with equation. Misuse of relativistic addition to "show" that 1+1<2 0:11:27
4 Simultaneity Explanation of relativity of simultaneity. Thought experiment of a rider with a flashlight on a moving train 0:24:44
5 Time Dilation Explanation of relativity of time intervals. Definition of time dilation, with equation. Behavior of moving clocks. Derivation of equation for time dilation. Empirical confirmation of time dilation using the half-life of fast-moving particles 0:36:00
6 Length Contraction Explanation of relativity of length. Definition of length contraction, with equation. Length of rod traveling at 60% of the speed of light 0:58:02
7 Time and Space Contradiction of relativity and Newtonian mechanics. Amusing quotations relating to time and space. What is time? 'Twin paradox' presented 1:07:46

Lecture 3 Video: (220k)

Video lecture table
SEG # SEGMENT TITLES SEGMENT TOPICS STARTS AT (HR:MIN:SEC)
1 Special Relativity Review Brief summary of material covered in first two sessions, with focus on comparing relativistic properties to invariant properties 0:00:00
2 Time Travel to the Future Method for traveling through time into the future as allowed by special relativity. Actual "time traveling" experienced by astronauts due to time dilation 0:08:26
3 Time Travel to the Past Possibility of traveling through time into the past. Development of general relativity by Einstein. Equivalence principle, gravity, and acceleration 0:34:13
4 Mass and Spacetime Curvature of spacetime due to mass and resulting effects. Gravitational time dilation. General relativity and motion. Movement of objects to extremize time 0:43:26
5 Black Holes Definition of a black hole in terms of Newtonian mechanics and general relativity. Properties of black holes, including singularity, infinite curvature, infinite density. Evidence of the existence of black holes. 0:51:24
6 Wormholes Prediction of wormholes by general relativity. Definition of a wormhole. Method for traveling through time into the past by combining wormholes and special relativity. 1:03:40

Lecture 4 Video: (220k)

Video lecture table
SEG # SEGMENT TITLES SEGMENT TOPICS STARTS AT (HR:MIN:SEC)
1 Review of relativity The strange possibilites special relativity opens up rehashed 0:00:00
2 Wave/Particle Duality Ultraviolet paradox, Planck, photoelectric effect, double slit experiment, wave particle duality 0:01:48
3 Basics of Quantum Mechanics Position, speed, superposition, eigenstates 0:19:32

4		 Schrodinger's Box Explanation of Schrodinger's famous thought experiment, intended to explain the ideas of superposition and collapse 0:45:19
5 Quantum Tunnelling An interesting phenomena possible as the result of Quantum Mechanics 0:59:16

Lecture 5 Video: (220k)

Video lecture table
SEG # SEGMENT TITLES SEGMENT TOPICS STARTS AT (HR:MIN:SEC)
1 Parallel universes and the Big Bang Theory Explanation of parallel universes, Introduction to Big Bang Theory and the expanding universe, the observable universe 0:00:00
2 Finite and Infinite Space Explanation of finite and infinite space and flat universe, discussion of 4th dimension and an infinite universe 0:10:54
3 Infinite Universe Explanation of an infinite universe - particles in the universe analogy, copy of the observable universe, alternate futures, Level I Multiverse 0:21:18
4 Level II Multiverse Discussion of Level II Multiverse, inflation, symmetry breaking, space and time dimensions, infinity. Explanation for one dimension of time and three dimensions of space. 0:38:01
5 Level III and Level IV Multiverses Brief explanation of Level III Multiverse, discussion of Level IV Multiverse, laws of physics in a Level IV Multiverse, role of mathematics 0:58:39
6 Conclusion Joke and conclusion 1:13:31