Transcript Document
FEYNMAN LECTURES ON PHYSICS: The Relation of Physics to Other Sciences Chemistry “The science which is perhaps the most deeply affected by physics is chemistry” Inorganic Atoms (shells, nuclear moments, energies) Quantum chemistry (orbitals, wavefunctions) Statistical mechanics (thermodynamics, kinetics Organic Photo-physics (excitons, charge transfer) Organic reactions (synthesis, molecular structure Biology “the biologists went into the machinery inside the living bodies” Conservation of energy Heat transfer in living things Circulation of blood Pressure Pumps and valves Nerves Capacitors, circuits Astronomy “Astronomy is older than physics. In fact, it got physics started” Stars Elements, radiation, fusion, light Planets Motion, orbits, magnetic fields, atmosphere Universe Microwave radiation, Doppler effect, string theory Geology “Of course the instruments of meteorology are physical instruments“ Weather Sun and radiation, turbulence, rain droplets, lightning Rock formations volcanos, eathquakes, erosion Earth’s structure Waves, pressure, high temperature thermodynamics. Psychology “psychoanalysis is not a science: it is at best a medical process, and perhaps even more like witchdoctoring” Brain Electrical impulses, physical chemical processes, computing neurons Interpretation of images and sounds Experimental methods How did it get that way? There is no historical question being studied in physics at the present time. We do not have a question, "Here are the laws of physics, how did they get that way?" If we understand all about biology, we will want to know how all the things which are on the earth got there. There is the theory of evolution, an important part of biology In geology, we not only want to know how the mountains are forming, but how the entire earth was formed in the beginning, the origin of the solar system, etc. Example: A Bird’s Brain Spin chemistry • Exciton physics • Charge transfer Proteins Magnetic fields • DonorAcceptor molecules • DNA • Local hyperfine environment