From the ancient atom to the quantum atom

Semester: Autumn 2014
Schedule: Friday 8.15am - 10.00am
Classroom: 
Number of hours: 28

Objective

The concept of matter, along with that of space and time, has fascinated the human mind from antiquity to the present day. The aim of this course is to present the evolution of ideas about matter through the ages. Starting with the atomistic theory of Démocrite and the teachings of Aristotle, we will go through the centuries to arrive at the current vision of physicists.

The ex cathedra course will be supplemented by suggested readings of texts by famous physicists.

Content

The ancient vision

• The atomistic theories of the ancient philosophers
• Matter according to Aristotle
• The alchemy

The classical vision

• The development of modern physics: Galileo and Newton, heavy and inert mass
• Is light particulate or undulatory
• Grand principles: Laws of conservation and symmetry
• Is heat a substance? Thermodynamic laws
• Einstein and the equivalence of mass and energy

Quantum evolution

• Emergence of the atom: discovery of the lectron and nucleus
• Difficulties and paradoxes of classical theory
• A new vision: quantum mechanics

On the road to lémentarit;

• Covering and classifying electron particles
• What are we looking for at CERN? Observation methods and theoretical description
• The four forces of nature and their respective rôles, search for unification

On the path of complexity

• Condensed states of matter and their transformations
• The link between microscopy and macroscopy: statistical physics
• Chemical bonding: from atoms to complex molecules

Matter in the universe

• Fabrics, forges of atomic matter
• The partition of matter on a large scale, galaxies, clusters of galaxies
• Current problems, dark matter

Semester: Autumn 2014
Schedule: Friday 10:15am - 12:00pm
Classroom: 
Number of hours: 28

Objective

Spark the student's curiosity by involving them actively in the course through in-depth personal work. Various chapters of the course will be analysed in greater detail with the help of appropriate readings. These readings will be the subject of essays, oral presentations and critical discussions.

Content

The proposed texts will be used to develop certain points of the course, and more generally to study the evolution of concepts on the nature of matter. They are written by authors who have made a special effort to make their ideas accessible to non-scientists. Particular attention will be paid to the current understanding of matter, its properties and states, and to the specific methods used in this field of physics.

The course may be taken without the seminar. However, the seminar cannot be taken without having taken the course.

Coursework: report on readings and knowledge test (writings)

Seminar: oral and written personal work