Outlines for Lectures 1-8!

Lecture 1 | Lecture 2 | Lecture 3&4 | Lecture 5 | Lecture 6 | Lecture 7 | Lecture 8

Lecture #1

Science:

  • Is Relevant to Your Life
  • Is a way of asking and answering questions about the physical universe.
  • Needn't be Boring and/or Too Difficult

Scientific Method: Observation, Hypothesis Formation; Prediction; and Testing

Basic versus Applied Research

Funding of Science

Lecture #2 ... Cosmology

I. Introduction: Cosmology = Structure and History of Universe

II. Galaxies: Milky Way is One of Many

III. Hubble's Law: An Expanding Universe

IV. The Big Bang

A. Evidence in Support of It
B. Early History
C. Why it All Matters to You

Lecture #3&4 ... Newton and Gravity

I. Introduction: Newton's 3 Laws Govern Most of How the Universe Works

A. Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration

II. Newton's 1st Law: Constant Motion Unless Acted on by Forces

III. Newton's 2nd Law: F = m x a

IV. Newton's 3rd Law: Action and Reaction

V. Gravity

Lecture #5: Life and Death of Stars

  • Why You Should Care

  • Structure of the Sun

  • Nuclear Fusion: Energy for a Star

  • Life Cycle of a Star
    • Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
    • Main Sequence vs. Red Giants vs. White Dwarfs

  • The Death of Very Big Stars:
    • Supernovas, Neutron Stars, and Black Holes

    Lecture #6 .. Energy

    I. Introduction: Some Basic Terms

    A. Work, Energy, Power

    II. Energy Comes in Different Forms

    A. Kinetic
    B. Potential
    C. Heat (Thermal)
    D. Waves
    E. Mass (E=mc2)

    III. Energy is Conserved (1st Law of Thermodynamics)

    Lecture #7 Planet Formation

    I. Introduction: What is the Solar System?

    II. The Nebular Hypothesis

    III. The Inner Planets

    A. Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars
    B. Formation of the Earth's Moon

    IV. The Outer Planets

    A. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
    B. Pluto

    V. Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors

    Lecture #8 Thermodynamics

    I. Introduction: Nature's Direction

    II. Heat Transfer

    A. Temperature, Heat, & Heat Capacity
    B. Methods of Heat Transfer
    1. Conduction
    2. Convection
    3. Radiation

    III. 2nd Law of Thermodynamics & Entropy