00972 - History of Physics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will know: - the main physicists, experiments and events that characterized the development of ideas and experimental techniques in physics; - methods and tools for historical analyses. The student will be able to: - place specialized topics already addressed in their studies within a historiographic framework; - analyze the historical-scientific evolution of knowledge, with particular attention to the development of knowledge, productivity and creativity in physics; - work in a team for the search, choice and analysis of historical materials; - develop a project of historical analysis and present it.

Course contents

The course will offer a framework of the evolution of physics, with special attention to key-figures in the history of physics, experiments and episodes of particular significance for the advancement of scientific knowledge, models of scientific progress.

The course is organized in three sections.

 

Section 1 includes the following topics:

- Methodology in history of physics;

- Hellenistic's physical-astronomical measurements;

- Galilei's laws and principles;

- Newton's Principia Mathematica;

- Mach's critics to Newton;

- Maxwell's electromagnetism.

 

Section 2 includes the following topics:

- Lorentz and Poincaré pre-relativistic theories;

- Einstein and the genesis of the theory of relativity;

- Quantum physics and the crisis of the foundations in physics.

- Physics during and after the World-War II and the establishment of the Big Science.

 

Section 3 includes the following topics:

- The research on cosmic rays and the construction of big accelerators.

- Symmetry as key for an historical reconstruction of XX century Physics.

 

Transversal themes and competences are developed throughout the course:

- gender issues in the history of physics (analysis of case studies);

- creativity in science;

- science & society;

- critical thinking;

- competences of team-working;

- communication skills.

 

The course will end with seminar activities carried out by the students. The seminars will focus on a theme (an author, an experiment and/or an important historical episode) that will be chosen at the beginning of the course. During the semester, teamworks (peer to peer and co-design activities) will be organized to support the seminars preparation. Such teamworks will enable the students to: co-organize a work plan; identify different possible approaches to analyze the same theme; exchange materials, suggestions and critical reflections; make conscious and creative choices for the theme analysis.

Readings/Bibliography

The materials will be distributed during the lessons and uploaded on the moodle platform.

Teaching methods

The course is very interactive and, as well as lectures, active learning is fostered through several types of teaching methods: team working for the analysis of historical materials and research materials; peer-to-peer activities; co-design of analytic activities, seminars.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of an oral task divided into two parts.

I part
- Presentation and discussion of a topic of History of Physics, chosen by the student and shared with the teachers of the course.

II part
- Discussion about a concept or topic addressed in the course.

In addition to the disciplinary and historiographic correctness of the presentation, the first part of the examination will evaluate the following skills:

1) being able to move within the sources and bibliographical references in order to select a significant topic in the history of physics,

2) being able to carry out a methodologically rigorous historical analysis;

3) knowing how to consciously use history in order to reflect critically on physics; 

4) knowing how to expose and argue one's own thesis in a synthetic and effective way.

The second part of the exam will evaluate: 1) the level pf comprehension of a concept or topic addressed in the course, 2) the student's ability to place such a concept or topic in an historical perspective.

20 points are assigned to the first part of the exam, 10 to the second part.

Teaching tools

Power-point presentation, movies, web-sites.

Visits to the museum of physics.

Office hours

See the website of Olivia Levrini

See the website of Giorgio Dragoni

See the website of Eugenio Bertozzi