The Essentials

Syllabus

• Historical overview of humanity's understanding of the structure of matter
• The evolution of modeling the structure of matter
• Social implications of theories and technologies of matter
• Computational modeling

Motivation and Objectives

Why are some materials soft and others hard? Why are some substances solid while others are fluid? How do we know that ice, water and steam are really the same substance? The answers to these questions have fascinated inquisitive minds before history started. Imagine the awe and wonder of one our ancestors in some forgotten place hundreds of thousands of years ago when it was discovered that flint can be chipped to give a sharp edge - so useful in scraping the meat of hides and ensuring a warm summer. The similar wonder when part of the stones left in the overnight fire were found in strange new shapes the following morning. Someone followed through and found that these shiny parts of some rocks flowed when heated just like water flows. When cooled it became as solid as rock and could be made into useful new shapes.

This journey started so long ago is with us still - indeed you are embarking upon a new phase of it in starting your higher education. We will try to recapture what our ancestors have accomplished before us and set the stage for what is being done today in studying the material world around us. While paying homage to history we will introduce how contemporary computational technology is introducing a promising new way of actually designing the materials that we need. Indeed progress is fast apace in the understanding not only of inanimate matter but of the molecular functioning of biological systems.

Grading Policy

Grading is based upon the following course work:

• Preparation and defense of one of the debates on atomic theory at various historical stages of the development (20 points, team activity)
• A report on historical consequences (both scientific and cultural) of atomic theory at some stage of its development (20 points)
• Working through and presenting conclusions on 3 of 6 computer lab experiments (30 points)
• A report on possible future directions in various contemporary fields (10 points)
• Final examination (20 points)

Grade points are translated to letter grades according to the following table:

Course Texts and Notes

There is no fixed course text. Students are encouraged to peruse and perhaps actively read from the following bibliography. The bibliography will grow as the course proceeds. Lecture notes will be available online after each class.

The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Richard Feynman. (Addison-Wesley, 1970).

The Greeks - Crucible of Civilization - Paul Cartledge and associated PBS DVD (PBS website)

Infinite Secrets - A PBS Nova documentary on Archimedes (website)

Seminar 25 links

Lucretius

Synopsis of Lucretius' ''De Rerum Natura''

English translation of ''De Rerum Natura''

UNC Library record for a detailed book on atomic theory within ''De Rerum Natura''

Scientists to be represented in last Debate

Homework and Projects

Homework assignments will cover both basic aspects of modeling material structure and the historical evolution of the subject and its implications. There are 6 homework assignments:

• Prepare a debate on atomic theory along with an opponent respecting the historical climate of a certain period
• Prepare a report on the consequences for human society of different stages in the development of atomic theory
• Fully work through 3 of the 6 computer labs done during the course
• Prepare a vision into the future report on what breakthroughs in modeling atomic structure might mean both scientifically and socially

Homework assignments will be given out individually in response to student interests.

Computer homework

Useful software:

• Gnuplot Upload new attachment "gnuplot.zip" (documentation gnuplot.pdf)

Final examination

The final examination will be held on Thursday, Dec 11 at 8:00 A.M. in PH228.

The final examination will consist of four questions:

1. A programming question. Example: write Python code to compute the sum of the first 10 integers.

2. A question on the link between development of atomic theory and changes in society. Example: What societal conditions were necessary for the first formulation of atomic theory by Leucippus?

3. A question on how atomic theory explains natural phenomena. Example: What happens when natural gas burns?

4. A question on physical principles used in constructing atomic theory, molecular dynamics. Example: What physical quantities are conserved when two atoms collide?

Course Bulletin Boards

Please choose the appropriate section for your question. Questions are answered daily, typically late at night.