Podcast Categories: Science & Medicine

In 1905, while only twenty-six years old, Albert Einstein published “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies” and effectively extended classical laws of relativity to all laws of physics, even electrodynamics. In this course, Professor Susskind takes a close look at the special theory of relativity and also at classical field theory. Concepts addressed here includes space-time and four-dimensional space-time, electromagnetic fields and their application to Maxwell’s equations. He also covers the work of the German mathematician Hermann Minkowski.

5.112 is an introductory chemistry course for students with an unusually strong background in chemistry. Knowledge of calculus equivalent to 18.01 is recommended. Emphasis is on basic principles of atomic and molecular electronic structure, thermodynamics, acid-base and redox equilibria, chemical kinetics, and catalysis. The course also covers applications of basic principles to problems in metal coordination chemistry, organic chemistry, and biological chemistry.

Astrobiology asks: Where do we come from? Are we alone? Where are we going?

This course gives an overview of the excitement of astrobiology and space exploration, from the origin of our own biofriendly universe to questions of the future of mankind both on Earth and beyond.

The Winter 2013 quarter course of the Modern Physics series concentrates on cosmology, the science of the origin and development of the universe. Along the way, Professor Susskind takes a close look at the Big Bang, the geometry of space-time, inflationary cosmology, cosmic microwave background, dark matter, dark energy, the anthropic principle, and the string theory landscape. To appreciate the material covered in this course, students should understand basic calculus and algebra.