Scholar
Welcome to Scholar. This is an experiment in putting lecture notes online.
It's a work in progress and material is being added and improved all the time.
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I teach or have taught a variety of courses in physics including classical physics, advanced quantum theory, and advanced physics units on probability and symmetry in physics
News: posts on Scholar
Threads
Threads weave a path through the collection of articles. They correspond to a course or part of a course.
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A course on quantum measurement theory aimed at MRes and PhD level.
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The classical theory for oscillations and waves, and an introduction to quantum wave mechanics. Pitched at a second year university level.
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Exploration of the role of probability in various areas of physics
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A course on quantum theory, concentrating on the structure of quantum mechanics as a basis of physical theory rather than the quantum physics of particular systems. We take a Hilbert space approach.
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Exploration of the role of symmetry in physics. Covering topics from the principle of stationary action, Lagrangians, Hamiltonians and Noether’s theorem.
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The physics and mathematics of rotating systems.
Recently updated articles
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In this workshop we’ll introduce and examine the consequences of probability theory in various areas of physics. From the meaning of probabilities, to how to reason with incomplete information, model comparison, parameter estimation, and modelling with Bayesian networks. The approach will view probabilities as an extension of logic (i.e. following Laplace, Bernoulli, Cox, Jaynes, etc)
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Variables are introduced and then some consequences of the sum-rule are explored.
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Equations of motion for a gyroscope are derived by considering the torques.
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In a rotating coordinate system, a free particle moves in a way that appears to be affected by three forces: the centrifugal force, the Coriolis force and the Euler force. These forces arise only from the rotation of the coordinate system.
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The description of 2D rotational motion is further developed in analogue to linear dynamics by introducing the rotational equivalents of force, momentum and mass.
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The description of 2D rotational motion is developed in analogue to linear kinematics.
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The centre of mass of a system of particles is derived as a fictitious point that behaves as if the mass of the entire system where concentrated there. Tricks for finding it are discussed.
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A simple review of the notation and some of the expressions for kinematics and dynamics along a line, for classical physics.
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The map of phase space of a dynamical system is a really convenient way of summarising the behaviour of a system. In particular it doesn’t require a solution to the equations of motion.
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The loaded string is a classic problem of coupled oscillators where \(N\) small masses are threaded onto a light string. It makes a nice transition for considering the continuum case and waves.