Phys 102: Natural Systems

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Phys 102 Natural Systems
Vincent Conrad
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Electron Shells
Lecture 1
Phys 102 Natural Systems
Electrons arent just particles. Theyre waves
too.
Electrons arrange themselves in an analogous
manner to harmonics on a string.
Principle number n (energy) ltgt harmonic
Vincent Conrad
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Periodic Table
Lecture 1
Phys 102 Natural Systems
n1
n2
http//www-cms.llnl.gov/e113_115/download_images/P
eriodic_Table.jpg
Vincent Conrad
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Chemical Reactions
Lecture 1
Phys 102 Natural Systems
Electrons are the basis for chemical reactions.
Consider Na ClNa has 11 electrons.Cl has 17
electrons.
Hence energy can be minimized if Na looses one
electron, and Cl gains one.
Vincent Conrad
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A quick history of the universe
Lecture 1
Phys 102 Natural Systems
A Quick History of the Universe
Now theres a spark. How big was the spark? -
compared to what?
Imagine nothingness.
Energy is the spark. Pure energy creates time and
space in order to dissipate.As energy cools it
solidifies into matter. Matter arranges itself
into lowest energy density configuration.
Vincent Conrad
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A quick history of the universe
Lecture 1
Phys 102 Natural Systems
Evidence for this view
Red shift
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
Evidence that I have no idea what Im talking
about Accelerating universe.Dark
Matter/Energy.Life????
Vincent Conrad
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Complexity and Emergence
Lecture 2
Phys 102 Natural Systems
Complexity and Emergence
Matter lt--gt Energy the organization and
interactions of systems in the biosphere.
Natural systems exist outside the earth, but
our course will focus on studying the natural
systems in the Earth's biosphere.
Matter can be arranged from smaller units to
increasingly more complex levels. Starting with
subatomic particles going up to ecosystems.
Each level of organization is in a sense more
complex than the previous.
Often the behavior of the one level cannot be
predicted from knowledge of the previous level.
(The whole is greater than the sum of the parts).
Understanding natural systems means working on
many different levels. Both living and non living
systems.
Vincent Conrad
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complexity and emergence
Lecture 2
Phys 102 Natural Systems
Vincent Conrad
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Phys 102 Natural Systems
Vincent Conrad