Episode 1: Introduction - The Mechanical Universe
caltech2 HN recommenders · recommended in 2 months, 2018–2024
course · intro · evergreen · 2018–2024 on HN
The first episode of Caltech's The Mechanical Universe, a 52-part introductory university physics series. David Goodstein introduces ideas from Copernicus to Newton, linking the physics of the heavens and the earth with computer animation.
HN rates the series as one of the best physics lecture courses on YouTube, with an engaging format and historical context.
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4 comments from Hacker News
Hands down best: David Goodstein, CalTech, the 'Mechanical Universe" physics series on YouTube. ▶ this video
Hands down best: David Goodstein, CalTech, "The Mechanical Universe" physics series on YouTube. ▶ this video
Reading sucks; check out "The Mechanical Universe" ▶ this video Basics of electricity start here: link It glosses briefly over the mathematical parts with advanced-for-the-time animations that may or may not be instructive.
When I attended Caltech in the 70s, I asked about riots and demonstrations on campus during the Vietnam war era. They said that outside agitators had come on campus, and attempted to recruit students to form a protest. The usual response was: "I can't join a protest, because I'd miss Physics class!" and the organizers failed. It made perfect sense to me, because missing even a single physics lecture was a very, very bad idea. I was hanging on by my fingernails. RIP Prof Goodstein, my physics prof, who recently passed away. You were an awesome professor. He was also the prime mover behind "The Mechanical Universe" ▶ this video