Modern Physics: The Theoretical Minimum (Stanford Continuing Studies)

Do you want to learn the basic concepts of modern physics through online lectures? You can do it anytime anywhere at your own pace. This is a collection of lectures from a series of courses - collectively called Modern Physics: The Theoretical Minimum. The lectures are all taught by Professor Leonard Susskind and cover essential topics in modern physics and cosmology: classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, Einstein's special/general theory of relativity, statistical mechanics, cosmology, quantum entanglements, particle physics, and string theory.

1) Classical Mechanics
This course explores the theoretical underpinnings of classical mechanics, the mathematical physics worked out by Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727) and later by Joseph Lagrange (1736 - 1813) and William Rowan Hamilton (1805 - 1865).

2) Quantum Mechanics
Quantum theory governs the universe at its most basic level. Taught by Professor Leonard Susskind, this course explores the quantum world, including the particle theory of light, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, and the Schrodinger Equation.

3) Special Relativity
This course takes a close look at the special theory of relativity and also at classical field theory. Concepts addressed here will include space-time and four-dimensional space-time, electromagnetic fields and and Maxwell's equations.

4) General Relativity
Professor Leonard Susskind focuses on the general theory of relativity. He uses the physics of black holes extensively to develop and illustrate the concepts of general relativity and curved spacetime.

5) Statistical Mechanics
Leonard Susskind discusses the study of statistical analysis as calculating the probability of things subject to the constraints of a conserved quantity. And he introduces energy, entropy, temperature, and phase states as they relate directly to statistical mechanics.

6) Cosmology
This course concentrates on cosmology, taking a close look at the Big Bang, the geometry of space-time, inflationary cosmology, cosmic microwave background, dark matter, dark energy, the anthropic principle, and the string theory landscape.

7) Quantum Entanglements - Part 1
The old Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics associated with Niels Bohr is giving way to a more profound interpretation based on the idea of quantum entanglement. In this course, Professor Leonard Susskind explores "quantum entanglements" in modern theoretical physics.

8) Particle Physics 1 - Basic Concepts
In this course Professor Leonard Susskind explores the new revolutions in particle physics, mainly focusing on the subject of quantum field theory. He talks about what a quantum field is, how it is related to particles, energy conservation, waves, fermions etc.

9) Particle Physics 2 - The Standard Model
In this course, Professor Susskind continues his particle physics theme, focusing on the foundations of the Standard Model, which describes the interactions and properties of the observed particles.

10) Particle Physics 3 - Supersymmetry and Grand Unification
Taught by Professor Leonard Susskind, this course explores particle physics with a focus on supersymmetry and grand unified theories. Topics cover supersymmetry, vacuum energy, Fermions and bosons, Grassmann numbers, supersymmetry breaking, Goldstone bosons, and grand unified theories.

11) String Theory and M-Theory
In this set of lectures Professor Leonard Susskind gives an introduction to String Theory, which he describes as a mathematical framework for theories that unify all the forces of nature, including gravity.

12) Topics in String Theory (Cosmology and Black Holes)
This course focuses on string theory with regard to important issues in contemporary physics. Topics include: 1) the impact of string theory on the pursuit of black holes; 2) the string theory landscape and the implications for cosmology; and 3) the Holographic Principle and its applications.

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