00972 - History of Physics

Learning outcomes

- To offer an historiographyc frame where specialized themes and subjects, studied for the Physics degree, can be situated;

- To foster the capability of performing a critical analysis of the historical evolution of physics;

- To foster an historical-critical attitude, by focusing students' attention on examples of knowledge development, productivity and creativity in Physics.

Course contents

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

The course will be organized in three sections.

Section 1

- 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

- 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

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

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

Seminar activities are foreseen.

 

Transversal themes and competences 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.

 

Readings/Bibliography

"La storia della fisica" di Motz e Weaver, Nuova Cappelli, Bologna.

Other materials will be distributed during the lessons or posted on the Campus web-site (http://campus.unibo.it/).

Teaching methods

Lectures, team working (analysis of historical materials and research materials; peer-to-peer; co-design of studies and seminars), 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 the first part of the exam will be assessed the student's ability to: 1) move within the sources and bibliographical references in order to select a significant topic in the history of physics, 2) carry out an methodologically rigorous historical analysis.

In the second part of the exam will be evaluated: 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.

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