Exam #1 is in class today.

Some example questions:

  • Compare the Platonic view of the Universe with the physical view of the Universe.
  • Describe the geocentric and heliocentric models for the Universe. What key observation(s) by Galileo destroyed the geocentric model.
  • What is the clockwork Universe concept? What key laws of physics make the clockwork Universe compelling?
  • Describe the two effects from special relativity that demonstrate that space and time are linked.
  • What are quarks? What is quark confinement? Why is this important (to the Universe)?
  • What are the three stages of cosmology? Describe the major components of each stage.
  • Describe the Greek cosmology. How does it conform with Aristotle's ideas of motion. What three reasons were given to show that the Sun was not at the center of the Universe?
  • What technology did Galileo use to falsify the geocentric model? What were his observations and how were they inconsistent with the geocentric model?
  • What is Olber's paradox and what do we conclude about the Universe from it? What is the cosmic-edge riddle and what do we conclude from it?
  • What is idea of the Clockwork Universe and what is the foundation for this cosmological worldview? What does chaos theory have to say to resolve this deterministic view?
  • How does relativity change our cosmological worldview? Include in your discussion, the speed of light and information, the new concept of spacetime and the meaning of gravity.
  • Compare the medieval religious cosmology with the scientific Galileo/Kepler/Copernicus view of the cosmo. Include in your discussion why some obviously wrong features to the religious models were held onto for philosophical reasons.
  • Describe Newton's law of gravity? Describe escape velocity? Why are astronauts weightless in orbit?
  • What is Olber's paradox and what do we conclude about the Universe from it? What is the cosmic-edge riddle and what do we conclude from it?
  • What is idea of the Clockwork Universe and what is the foundation for this cosmological worldview? What does chaos theory have to say to resolve this deterministic view?
  • Compare the Platonic view of the Universe with the physical view of the Universe.
  • Describe the geocentric and heliocentric models for the Universe. What key observation by Galileo destroyed the geocentric model.
  • What is the many-worlds hypothesis? How does it resolve the fuzziness of quantum physics?
  • Describe the two effects from special relativity that demonstrate that space and time are linked.
  • What is wave/particle duality? How does it explain the Bohr atom?