PHYS 200j - Special Relativity using Spacetime Trigonometry

• *"Space and Time" (Minkowski, 1908) [original: “Raum und Zeit” (Minkowski, 1908)]
• It is argued that Minkowski's paper was influential in the subsequent growth of interest in Special Relativity. "Minkowski, Mathematicians, and the Mathematical Theory of Relativity" (Scott Walter, 1999)

The presentation we will follow in this course is heavily influenced by

• Parts of the influential first edition of "Spacetime Physics" (E.F. Taylor and J.A. Wheeler, 1965)

Physics 200j (01)    	Special Relativity using Space Trigonometry  	  [66932]

January 2008-2009 	(Credits 2) 	
This course is an introduction to Galilean and Special 
Relativity. Physical intuition is developed with a new approach 
using the geometry and trigonometry of spacetime diagrams, 
together with thought-experiments. Topics include: Kinematics 
(proper-time, velocity, and acceleration), Dynamics (energy and 
momentum), and Spacetime Structure (light cones and causality). 
Time permitting, we may offer brief introductions to tensors and 
to the relativistic formulation of Electromagnetism. The first 
part of each class meeting is mainly a lecture presentation of 
the various topics. The second part is a problem-solving session 
for treating standard textbook problems with these new methods.

Does not meet a distribution requirement

R. Salgado

Prereq. high school geometry and trigonometry; introductory 
physics and calculus would be helpful.; 2 credits; enrollment 
limited to 25; 4 meetings (2 hours);