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Department of Physics

ΕΛΕ61

10ΕΛΕ61 History of Physical Sciences

Course webpage: https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/PHS483

Course outline

Course content

  • Introduction to history and philosophy of physical science. The physical sciences and society. The physical sciences and philosophy.
  • Physics in the late 19th century. The Newtonian heritage. New discoveries (X-rays, electrons, radioactivity, blackbody radiation) and the end of classical physics.
  • The revolutions in early 20th century physics. Einstein and relativity. Quantum mechanics and the Weimar Republic. The interpretation of quantum theory.
  • The emergence of big physics. The Manhattan Project for the making of the atomic bomb. The founding of big laboratories (Brookhaven, CERN, Dubna, Fermilab, etc.).
  • Physics after World War II. The role of the Cold War. Reductionism and emergent phenomena: from elementary particle physics to solid state physics.
  • Contemporary concerns. The problem of pseudoscience: from Velikosvky to climate change. The relationship between theory and experiment: the case of string theory. Ethical issues in scientific research: from Millikan to cold fusion.