10 episodes
Modern Physics: The Theoretical Minimum - Statistical Mechanics Stanford Continuing Studies Program
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This course is comprised of a six-quarter sequence of classes that will explore the essential theoretical foundations of modern physics. The topics covered in this course sequence will include classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, the general and special theories of relativity, electromagnetism, cosmology, and black holes. While these courses will build upon one another, each course also stands on its own, and both individually and collectively they will let students attain the “theoretical minimum” for thinking intelligently about modern physics.
Quantum theory governs the universe at its most basic level. In the first half of the 20th century physics was turned on its head by the radical discoveries of Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, and Erwin Schroedinger. An entire new logical and mathematical foundation—quantum mechanics—eventually replaced classical physics. We will explore the quantum world, including the particle theory of light, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, and the Schroedinger Equation.
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Statistical Mechanics Lecture 10 (June 1, 2009)
Leonard Susskind presents the final lecture of Statistical Mechanics 10. In this lecture, he cover such topics as inflation, adiabatic transformation and thermal dynamic systems. (June 1, 2009)
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Statistical Mechanics Lecture 9 (May 25, 2009)
Leonard Susskind picks up on magnets, phase transitions, and mean field transitions. He goes on to explain chemical potential. (May 25, 2009)
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Statistical Mechanics Lecture 8 (May 18, 2009)
Leonard Susskind lectures on a new class of systems, magnetic systems. He goes on to talk about mean field approximations of molecules in multidimensional lattice systems. (May 18, 2009)
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Statistical Mechanics Lecture 7 (May 11, 2009)
Leonard Susskind lectures on harmonic oscillators, quantum states, boxes of radiation and all associated computations such as wavelengths, volume, energy and temperature. (May 11, 2009)
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Statistical Mechanics Lecture 5 (April 27, 2009)
Leonard Susskind discusses the basic physics of the diatomic molecule and why you don't have to worry about its structure at low temperature. Susskind later explores a black hole thermodynamics. (April 27, 2009)
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Statistical Mechanics Lecture 6 (May 4, 2009)
Leonard Susskind explains the second law of thermodynamics, illustrates chaos, and discusses how the volume of phase space grows. (May 4, 2009)
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