Download Assignment Two Questions - Great Ideas in Science | PHYS 2018 and more Assignments Physics in PDF only on Docsity! Assignment 2 Great Ideas in Science (PHYS 2018) Written Assignment Due October 9, 2007 The second “module” of the course covers mathematics (with an emphasis on geometry) and relativity. Four groups of five or six students will be formed to explore a mathematical topic or a topic related to special or general relativity. Each group will write a 1000 word report and give a 25–30 minute oral presentation (with PowerPoint slides, images, or brief video clips [no more than 3 minutes, say], if you like). You may explore the technical aspects of the topic as will as historical and cultural influences of and on the topic. Don’t forget to list references in the written report! Groups will give their oral presentations on October 9 and 11, with each member of the group contributing. Possible topics on math include: (1) Geometry in art: perspective, projective geometry, the art of M. C. Escher, the art of Salvador Dali, renaissance art, comic book art. (2) Math in pseudoscience: misapplications of statistics, misunderstanding of probability (lotteries). (3) Math in sports: statistics, the physics of baseball/golf (why are golf balls dimpled?). (4) Math in the movies or a TV show: “Good Will Hunting,” “A Beautiful Mind,” “The Simpsons,” “Futurama.” (5) Math in history: the “calculus wars” between Newton and Leibniz. (6) Special numbers: a history of π, the base of the natural log function e, the golden ratio, rational and irrational numbers, algebraic numbers, transcendental numbers, complex numbers. (7) Math in architecture: pyramids, bridges, arches. (8) Math in science fiction: hyperspace, improbability drives (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy). (9) Famous mathematicians: Pythagoras, Newton, the non-Euclidean pioneers, Riemann and prime numbers. (10) The geometry of higher dimensions: hyperspace again, how one can move about in a 4-D space, new-age applications of higher dimensions. (11) What is infinity? Possible topics with a relativity component include: (1) Time travel (the science). (2) Warp drive (the science). (3) Interstellar travel. (4) String theory. (5) Black holes and/or wormholes. (6) Gravity waves. (7) The big bang. (8) The accelerating universe. (9) Something based on Stephen Hawking’s writings. (10) The ultimate fate of the universe.
