2022/2023

2022/2023

DM270

FIS/08 (DIDACTICS AND HISTORY OF PHYSICS)

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Didattica e storia della fisica, comunicazione scientifica

1°

1st semester (26/09/2022 - 13/01/2023)

6

48 lesson hours

Italian

ORAL TEST

INTROZZI GIANLUCA (titolare) - 6 ECTS

Basic concepts of Classical and Quantum Physics, usually thought during a three years degree in Physics.

To reach the capacity to analyze and appreciate - by means of case studies in Classical and Modern Physics - the complex process of formulation of physical theories, their experimental corroboration, consequent acceptance by the scientific community, and the possible final obsolescence due to the formulation of alternative theories.

Case studies in Classical Physics:
Poincaré and the dynamical instability - Einstein: the denial of ether and the early days of modern physics - Einstein epistemologist and philosopher of science.

Topics on Quantum Mechanics:
Plank quanta - Einstein quanta - Bohr atomic model - de Broglie material waves - Schroedinger equation - Optical and quantum interferometry - Copenhagen probabilistic interpretation - Bohm causal interpretation - Uncertainty relations (Fourier, Heisenberg, Kennard, Robertson, Bohm, Puri, Ozawa) - Bohr complementarity and duality (Greenberger/Yasin and Englert) - Different interpretations of the wave/particle dilemma.

Oral teaching and discussion. Some relevant documents are shown using slide presentation.

Written material covering the different topics is available.

Suggested readings:

Cini M., "Un paradiso perduto", Feltrinelli (1994)
(a conceptual history of physics, from Galileo to complexity)

Laudisa F., "Albert Einstein - Un atlante filosofico", Bompiani (2009)
(an interesting reconstruction of Einstein's epistemology)

Kumar M., "Quantum - Einstein, Bohr, and the Great Debate about the Nature of Reality", Icon Books (2008)
(a historical introduction to quantum mechanics)

Gribbin J., "Science - A History - 1543-2001", Allen Lane (2002)
(the story of the people who made science, their discoveries and the turbulent times they lived in)

Oral exam. Reading and discussing a book chosen from an indicated list is part of the oral exam. The oral exam is furthermore based on two questions. The first one concerns the historical development of scientific theories, focusing on the causes (internals and externals) having as final result the success or the failure of a specific theory. The second one is about the foundations of quantum mechanics; specifically about one of the 12 topics discussed during the lectures.

Oral exam. Reading and discussing a book chosen from an indicated list is part of the oral exam. The oral exam is furthermore based on two questions. The first one concerns the historical development of scientific theories, focusing on the causes (internals and externals) having as final result the success or the failure of a specific theory. The second one is about the foundations of quantum mechanics; specifically about one of the 12 topics discussed during the lectures.