The History of Physics, Cultural Connections and Other Issues Michael Bass CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics University of Central Florida Spring 2013 Web site:

Administrivia This is a 1 unit course. This is a 1 unit course. Unlike most science courses it is open for discussion. Unlike most science courses it is open for discussion. –There is no controversy over Newton’s Laws of Motion but there might be over Newton. Your participation is critical- take part!!!!! Your participation is critical- take part!!!!! Additional sessions: Additional sessions: –If there is interest we can meet on Thursdays, same time, for open discussions.

Schedule Discussion of what is a culture, what is the Culture of Science, what are scientific ethics, what can go right/wrong – some comments on fraud and pathological science. Discussion of what is a culture, what is the Culture of Science, what are scientific ethics, what can go right/wrong – some comments on fraud and pathological science. How did science get started? How did science get started? The Copernican Revolution and the Newtonian Synthesis The Copernican Revolution and the Newtonian Synthesis Scientific Controversies Scientific Controversies Conservation Laws, Thermodynamics and the Arrow of Time Conservation Laws, Thermodynamics and the Arrow of Time Electricity, Magnetism and Electromagnetics – Maxwell, Symmetry and Unification Electricity, Magnetism and Electromagnetics – Maxwell, Symmetry and Unification Measurement, Relativity, Einstein and Everything Else Measurement, Relativity, Einstein and Everything Else Quantum Mechanics – Part I Quantum Mechanics – Part I Quantum Mechanics – Part II Quantum Mechanics – Part II Quantum Mechanics – Part III Quantum Mechanics – Part III Five Experiments that Define Modern Optics Five Experiments that Define Modern Optics Time and the Past and Future Histories of the Universe Time and the Past and Future Histories of the Universe The Miracle of Stars and Why We Are The Miracle of Stars and Why We Are Patents and Intellectual Property Issues Patents and Intellectual Property Issues

More Stuff One evening, after we have discussed Scientific Contorversies, we will view a dramatization of the trial in Pennsylvania over Intelligent Design and Science. One evening, after we have discussed Scientific Contorversies, we will view a dramatization of the trial in Pennsylvania over Intelligent Design and Science. –After 1/29 and before 2/09 On another evening, after we have considered Bohr’s and Heisenberg’s contributions, we will view the play Copenhagen and discuss it. On another evening, after we have considered Bohr’s and Heisenberg’s contributions, we will view the play Copenhagen and discuss it. –After 3/19 and before 3/26

A definition Science is a method of interrogating reality, a cumulative process of testing new and more refined explanations, not an assertion of dry, unalterable facts. Science is a method of interrogating reality, a cumulative process of testing new and more refined explanations, not an assertion of dry, unalterable facts. It is a way of asking questions, not of imposing answers. It is a way of asking questions, not of imposing answers.

What is science? Common beliefs Common beliefs Common behaviors Common behaviors Common attitudes Common attitudes Common ways of thinking/seeing Common ways of thinking/seeing Common modes of living Common modes of living Common arts Common arts Common technologies/sciences/views of the world and universe Common technologies/sciences/views of the world and universe

Some say Science is the subject of what can be proven wrong. Science is the subject of what can be proven wrong. You can not disprove belief!!!! You can not disprove belief!!!!

How does science work? The two most important questions in science: The two most important questions in science: –What can I know? –How can I know it? Religion and science part ways over the first. Religion and science part ways over the first. –Religion thinks it can know why! –Science thinks it can know how! The answer to the second is what defines modern science. The answer to the second is what defines modern science. –Methodology matters as much as the question itself.

Progress in Science Scientists use data to form a model or paradigm and then Scientists use data to form a model or paradigm and then –Test it and test it again and again.  Here the methodology matters –The tests are either meaningful or not. –How do you know. –If anomalies are found that do not fit they  Modify the paradigm, or  Replace it.

Who is a scientist? All real scientists exist on the frontier. All real scientists exist on the frontier. –They deal with the unknown! –They develop tools to probe the unknown. –They explore in a disciplined manner. Scientists do not torture the data to find a result they Scientists do not torture the data to find a result they –torture the experiments to be sure the data is correct and meaningful.

Properties of science Experiments must be reproducible. Experiments must be reproducible. –If A gets a result at her lab then B must get the same result in his. The results must be expandable The results must be expandable –One must be able to:  Build on it.  Learn more from it.  Use it as a foundation to build new structures.

Properties of scientists Honest Honest Ethical Ethical Trustworthy Trustworthy Not biased Not biased … Examples of this gone astray are pathological science Examples of this gone astray are pathological science –Polywater –Infinite dilution –Cold fusion

Other examples Scientists whose bias clouds their science: Scientists whose bias clouds their science: –Creationist science –Intelligent design –Phrenology –Racial stereotyping –Extreme global warming

What is a Culture Common beliefs Common beliefs Common behaviors Common behaviors Common attitudes Common attitudes Common ways of thinking/seeing Common ways of thinking/seeing Common modes of living Common modes of living Common arts Common arts Common technologies/sciences/views of the world and universe Common technologies/sciences/views of the world and universe

Science affects culture Ideas Ideas Inventions Inventions Manners of thinking Manners of thinking Views of our place in the Universe Views of our place in the Universe Language Language Everyday life Everyday life

Culture affects science What science is conducted What science is conducted Where Where By whom By whom Conversion to technology Conversion to technology Utilization Utilization Diffusion of scientific knowledge Diffusion of scientific knowledge

An example Science affects culture Science affects culture –Manhattan project leads to nuclear weapons –Modifies how nations behave. –Results in no WW III (yet?) Culture affects science Culture affects science –Huge funding for atomic and nuclear science. –Scientists are lionized. –Eventually scientists become mad scientists  Young people can be turned off. –Social stigmatization in theocratic societies.

Remember Class on Thursday January 10 Class on Thursday January 10 No Class on January 15, 22 and 29 No Class on January 15, 22 and 29 Class resumes on Feb. 5 Class resumes on Feb. 5 January 22 and 29 classes will be made up on Feb. 7 and 14. January 22 and 29 classes will be made up on Feb. 7 and 14.