Physics: Where Do We Come From, What Are We And Where Are We Going?

Instructor: K. Sridhar

March 3 to 5, 2009 | 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
M.C. Ghia Hall, Mumbai

This course will make an attempt to present a self-consistent map of the development of physics. The course will begin with the classical theories of motion, of heat and of electromagnetic theory, which will set the stage for discussing the revolutions that happened in physics in the early 20th century. The course ends with a description of our present knowledge and speculations of the structure and the origins of the universe. The presentation will be non-mathematical and will assume nothing more than intellectual curiosity on part of the attendee.

Lectures:

Day 1:
1-2. Historical Introduction and Newtonian Mechanics
3. Thermodynamics
4-5. Maxwell’s Theory: Electricity, Magnetism and Optics

Day 2:
6-7. Relativity
8-9. Quantum Mechanics
10. Quantum Field Theory: Relativity meets Quantum Mechanics

Day 3:
11. Atomic & Nuclear Physics
12. Particle Physics: The Standard Model
13. Big Bang Cosmology
14. Particle Physics: Beyond the Standard Model
15. Quantum Gravity and Strings

K. Sridhar is a faculty member of the Department of Theoretical Physics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai. His research is in the area of Theoretical High Energy Physics where he has published over 85 papers and has presented several talks and lectures, both at technical and popular levels. Other than physics, Sridhar’s interests span philosophy, literature and culture and he has engaged himself in things as diverse as collaboration on an art installation, a semester-long course on Indian philosophy and talks on Jim Morrison. He has recently completed work on his first novel.