Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Physics from a Historical Perspective

Photo by Thorne Enterprises

Charles Day from Physics Today writes a very interesting column comparing how students learn US government to how they learn physics. Please read Day's excellent article before posting a comment here.

The US Constitution is the foundation upon which our entire government is built. Even though it was written in 1787, the Constitution is not only relevant but fundamental to any study of US government. Students of US government often are asked to directly read and study this document.

In physics, many (if not most) topics of study have changed radically since 1787. Physics teachers rarely ask their students to read or study physics books or papers from that far in the past.

  1. Day talks about several topics of modern physics that were not even known when the Constitution was written. What specific topics does he mention?
  2. One of the texts mentioned in Day's article is Newton's famous work usually called simply Principia. What is the full title of this work? When was it written? What is it about, and why is it so important?
  3. Do you think physics students would gain a deeper understanding of physics if they studied historical texts like Principia? Why or why not?



Posted by Brian Bearss at 12:53 PM

13 comments:

  1. AinJanuary 11, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    For question #3, i think that if a student wants to expand his or her knowledge on the study of physics then reading the book is a great idea, but requiring every physics student to read the book i dont think will benefit many. The book helps if you are interested in physics but isnt essential to take a physics class

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  2. nerdmanJanuary 11, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    #1. Day talks about infectious diseases, and how they are caused by microbes, not bad air.

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  3. SNICKERSJanuary 11, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    For question 1, he specifically mentions the periodic table, galaxies, and the quantom world.

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  4. NibzJanuary 11, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    #2... I think it's called "Isaac Newton's Principia 1687". I think it was written in 1687. haha. It mainly deals with massive bodies in motion in a variety of conditions. It studies laws of force. It's so important because it explains so many things about the natural world.
    #3.. Everybody shouldn't have read those, though I believe that teachers should quote and point out some of the important facts about these ancient books. I agree with "Ain" completely.

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  5. sciencegeek101January 12, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    #1- At the time the Constitution was written, no one knew about other galaxies or the quantum world. Also, most the elements on the periodic table were undiscovered. And the infectious diseases are caused by microbes, not bad air, was unknown.
    #2- The students were asked to read Newton's Philosophae naturalis principia mathematica of 1687; published July 5, 1687; The book states Newton's laws of motion, forming the foundation of classical mechanics, and Newton's law of universal gravation; Its so important because it lays out the laws of physics and foundations of things.
    #3- Certain students learn things differently. I, myself, probably wouldn't have learned alot from the text because it would obtain to much information at once.

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  6. SpreewellJanuary 12, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    For number 2 I think the full title is Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. This was written in 1687. The Principia is what Newton wrote and is the background of physics and motion. It is so important to the world of physics because it is basically like the guidlines, or constitution for physics.

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  7. SpreewellJanuary 12, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    No, I don't think physics students should be required to read, and or study the Principia. Just because you take the class doesn't mean you are going to become a physicist. Some may just be taking the class for credits. I do agree that physicists should study it because that is what they specialize in.

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  8. EsmereldaJanuary 12, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    In regard to question one, Day talks about other galaxies that were not known about, as well as the periodic table as most of the elemnts were not known.

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  9. Mrs.ClauseJanuary 12, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    I dont think back in the day people were concerned with physics. There was alot going on like....well bad things. So it would not help to understand historic physics

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  10. roseDesireJanuary 12, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    He mentioned that people did not know about other galaxies, or the elements on the periodic table, or why diseases were caused. "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica" was the full name of newton's Principia, which is latin for "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy". I think it would be interesting to read, but i do not think most people would understand, and learn anything from it (not to say i'm superior, but i like these things.)

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  11. coolwhipJanuary 12, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    reguarding question 1, Day tells us that at the time the constitution was written not much was known about the universe or the quantum world.

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  12. RoyoJanuary 12, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    1. no one knew of other galaxies or the quantum of the world, elements of the periodic table remained undiscovered,and infectious diseases are caused by microbes not bad air
    2.Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica,Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy,was first published in 1678 about newton's laws of motion.

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  13. Brian BearssJanuary 17, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    Thanks for the comments this week!

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