Who is Feynman?


Being a Physicist by choice, it is mandatory for all of us to know about Richard Phillips Feynman (1918-1988). 

We do have continuous sessions about his lectures and it's implications in physics.

Who is Feynman? 

Richard Feynman (1918-1988) was an American physicist who is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century. He made important contributions to the fields of quantum mechanics, particle physics, and condensed matter physics, among others.

Feynman was born in New York City and grew up in Far Rockaway, Queens. He attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for his undergraduate degree, and then went on to earn his PhD from Princeton University. During World War II, he worked on the Manhattan Project, which developed the first atomic bomb.

After the war, Feynman became a professor of physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he spent most of his career. He made many important contributions to the field of physics, including the development of the Feynman diagrams, which are graphical representations of particle interactions in quantum field theory. He was also known for his work on the theory of superfluidity, the physics of the weak nuclear force, and the development of the quantum theory of electrodynamics.

In addition to his scientific work, Feynman was also known for his engaging and accessible teaching style. He was a gifted lecturer and author, and his lectures on physics at Caltech were turned into the famous Feynman Lectures on Physics, which have since become classic works of science education.

Feynman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965, along with two other scientists, for his work on quantum electrodynamics. He was also a member of the National Academy of Sciences, and received numerous other awards and honors throughout his career.

Area of research 

Richard Feynman made significant contributions to various areas of physics during his career. Some of his major areas of research include:

1. Quantum electrodynamics: Feynman made important contributions to the development of quantum electrodynamics (QED), which is the study of the interactions between electrically charged particles. He developed a diagrammatic method, now known as Feynman diagrams, which allowed physicists to visualize and calculate the probability of various particle interactions in QED.

2. Particle physics: Feynman worked on the study of elementary particles, which are the building blocks of matter. He developed a model known as the Feynman rules, which describe how particles interact with each other through the exchange of other particles.

3. Condensed matter physics: Feynman made important contributions to the study of condensed matter physics, which is the study of the properties of solids and liquids. He worked on the theory of superfluidity and superconductivity, which are phenomena that occur at very low temperatures.

4. Computational physics: Feynman was also interested in the field of computational physics, and was an early advocate of the use of computers to solve complex problems in physics.

His work 

Feynman Lectures in Physics 

The Feynman Lectures on Physics is a set of three volumes of lectures by the physicist Richard Feynman, which were originally delivered to undergraduate students at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in the early 1960s. The lectures were later turned into books, which have since become classic works of physics education.

The lectures cover a wide range of topics in physics, from the basic laws of mechanics and electromagnetism to more advanced topics such as quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and relativity. Feynman's approach to teaching physics is highly intuitive, and he uses a lot of examples and analogies to help students understand the concepts he is discussing.

One of the things that sets the Feynman Lectures apart is Feynman's emphasis on the importance of understanding the underlying physical principles, rather than just memorizing equations and formulas. He encourages students to think critically and creatively about physics problems, and to use their intuition to guide them in their thinking.

¶ Chapters in Feynman's Lectures 

The Feynman Lectures on Physics is a set of three volumes that covers the fundamentals of physics, including mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics. Each volume is divided into chapters that cover specific topics.

Here is a list of the chapters in each volume:

Volume I:

1. Atoms in Motion
2. Basic Physics
2. The Relation of Physics to Other Sciences
4. Conservation of Energy
5. Time and Distance
6. Probability
7. The Theory of Gravitation
8. Motion
9. Newton's Laws of Dynamics
10. Conservation of Momentum
11. Vectors
12. Characteristics of Force
13. Work and Potential Energy (A)
14. Work and Potential Energy (Conclusion)
15. The Special Theory of Relativity
16. Relativistic Energy and Momentum
17. Space-Time
18. Rotation in Two Dimensions
19. Center of Mass; Moment of Inertia
20. Rotation in Space
21. The Harmonic Oscillator

Volume II:

22. Transients
23. The Rigid Body
24. Nonlinear Mechanics
25. Gravitation
26. Cosmology
27. Waves-I
28. Waves-II
29. Optics
30. Electromagnetic Radiation
31. Interference, Diffraction and Polarization
32. Refraction of Light
33. Relativistic Effects in Radiation
34. Color Vision
35. Quantum Behavior
36.The Relation of Wave and Particle Viewpoints
37. The Schrödinger Equation in a Classical Context: A Seminar on Superconductivity
38.  Superconductivity, Part II: The Discovery of Superconductivity
39. Magnetic Effects of Currents

Volume III:

40. The Relation of Wave Mechanics to Other Types of Mechanics
41. Atomic Physics
42. Molecules and Crystals
43. The Relation of Physics to Other Sciences II
44. Semi-Conductors
45. The Theory of Quantum Mechanics
46. The Magnetic Properties of Materials
47. The Dielectric Properties of Materials
48. Paramagnetism and Magnetic Resonance
49. Ferromagnetism
50. Waves in Crystals
51. The Refractive Index of Materials
52. Interference in Thin Films
53. Magnetic Recording
54. Symmetry in Physical Laws
55. The Ongoing Revolution in Physics.
56. Probability and Uncertainty - Quantum Mechanical View of Nature
57. Prospect - The Law of Gravitation
58. The Relation of Mathematics to Physics
59. Summary of Mathematics
60. Vector Analysis
61. Curvilinear Coordinates
62. The Gradient
63. Divergence and Curl
64. The Gradient, Divergence, and Laplacian in Curvilinear Coordinates
65. Ordinary Differential Equations
66. Partial Differential Equations of Physics
67. Special Functions
68. Fourier Series
69. Fourier Integrals - The Laplace Transform
70. Eigenvalues and Eigenfunctions - Expansion in Eigenfunctions
71. The Vibrating String
72. The Vibrating Membrane
73. The Hydrogen Atom and the Pauli Exclusion Principle
74. An Example from Classical Physics - The Transmitted and Reflected Waves
75. More About Matter Waves - The Double Slit
Probability Amplitudes
76. Identical Particles
Spin One
Spin Two
77. The Dependence of Amplitudes on Time
78. The Hamiltonian Matrix
79. The Ammonia Maser
80. Quantum Behavior - A Review

¶ Supplemental Volume:

81. Feynman's Preface
82. Feynman's Corrections and Additions to the Original Lectures

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