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Mechanics: Change of Reference Frame and Relativity

Description

This module begins by explaining how to apply Newton's mechanics when the frame of reference is accelerated. Translations and rotations are considered in Lesson 15, in which context the famous "Coriolis force" comes to the fore. The Earth is a natural reference frame for us earthbound observers. However, there are experiments such as the Foucault pendulum, in which the Earth's rotation has a clear effect on the dynamics observed locally on the Earth's surface. Other less sensitive experiments, measured with great precision, can also demonstrate the effect of the Earth's rotation. This is the subject of Lesson 16.

To make the introduction to special relativity clearly visible in this 24-lesson mechanics course, this module has been put together by grouping together the question of accelerated reference frames and this introduction to Einstein's theory. Lesson 22 serves as a link between the developments made in dealing with accelerated reference frames (lessons 15 and 16) and relativistic kinematics (lesson 23), followed by relativistic dynamics (lesson 24).

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Description

Instructor

Jean-Philippe Ansermet

Jean-Philippe Ansermet was born March 1, 1957 in Lausanne (legal origin Vaumarcus, NE). He obtained a diploma as physics engineer of EPFL in 1980. He went on to get a PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where, from 1985 to 1987, he persued as post-doc with Prof. Slichter his research on catalysis by solid state NMR studies of molecules bound to the surface of catalysts. From 1987 to 1992 he worked at the materials research center of Ciba-Geigy, on polymers for microelectronics, composites, dielectrics and organic charge transfer complexes. In March 1992, as professor of experimental physics, he developed a laboratory on the theme of nanostructured materials and turned full professor in 1995. Since 1992, he teaches classical mechanics, first to future engineering students, since 2004 to physics majors. Since 2000, he teaches thermodynamics also, to the same group of students. He offers a graduate course in spintronics, and another on spin dynamics. His research activities concern the fabrication and properties of magnetic nanostructures produced by electrodeposition. His involvement since the early days of spintronics have allowed him to gain recognition for his work on giant magnetoresistance (CPP-GMR), magnetic relaxation of single nanostructures, and was among the leading groups demonstrating magnetization reversal by spin-polarized currents. Furthermore, his group uses nuclear magnetic resonance , on the one hand as means of investigation of surfaces and electrodes, on the other hand, as a local probe of the electronic properties of complex ferromagnetic oxides.

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Lectures in this MOOC (17)

Vertical Movement: Equations and Integration MOOC: Mechanics: Change of Reference Frame and Relativity

Explores equations of vertical movement under gravity and their integration, as well as horizontal movement with stress conditions and the Foucault pendulum heuristic.

Relativistic Dynamics Overview MOOC: Mechanics: Change of Reference Frame and Relativity

Covers four-vectors, energy-momentum transformation, kinetic energy, and conservation properties in relativistic dynamics.

Fusion and Fission: Energy of Fusion MOOC: Mechanics: Change of Reference Frame and Relativity

Explores fusion and fission processes, energy equivalence, advantages of fusion energy, and future prospects in fusion technology.

Principle of Relativity: Inertia Frames and Coordinate Transformations MOOC: Mechanics: Change of Reference Frame and Relativity

Covers Galileo's principle of relativity, inertia frames, and Lorentz transformations in electromagnetism.

Relativistic Kinematics MOOC: Mechanics: Change of Reference Frame and Relativity

Explores relativistic kinematics, including the transformation of coordinates, the Lorentz transformation, and the invariance of the space-time interval.