Physics of the Mundane

Assigned Readings:

Hatton & Plouffe: pp 60-62 (Wynn), 63-67 (Hawking).

Feynman: Chapter 5 (pp. 89-113) “The Theory of Gravitation.”

Schedule:

Suggested reading response questions (although you are free to address another issue(s)):

      The readings for the week discuss things called “laws” and “theories.”  What is the difference (or relationship) between a law and a theory?  (Possibly consider that Newton is heralded for a law and Einstein for a theory, both of which describe gravity.)  Which is more important to science? Which is more useful?

      Hawking talks about being a “realist” and a “positivist.”  What do you think this means?  Could one be a scientist and be something other than a realist or a positivist?  (That is, what are the assumptions that we make about the world and ourselves if we are going to do science?) Would Feynman fit into the same category?  How do you know?

Lab problem(s):

Imagine that you are on a rocket ship in the middle of space (if there were such a place), where you feel absolutely no gravity.  Based on your own experiences in an elevator and your readings, explain how you would feel in the following circumstances:

a.  The rocket is at rest.

b.  The rocket is moving forward at a constant velocity.

c.  The rocket is moving forward, accelerating faster.

d.  The rocket is moving forward, but slowing down.

e.  The rocket is moving backwards, but slowing down.

In addition, explain if you can ever tell the difference between gravity and the forces you experience inside of a rocket that is accelerating.  In other words, compare your perceptions when you are in a rocket ship in one or more of the above situations with when you are in a rocket ship that is just sitting still here on Earth.  (Assume that the rocket has no windows or other means of seeing outside of it.)  Your answer provides the basis for the theory of general relativity as proposed by Albert Einstein.