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The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Understanding Modern Physics III: Simplicity and Complexity
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  • Modules
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  2. Physical Science and Engineering
  3. Physics and Astronomy
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Understanding Modern Physics III: Simplicity and Complexity

Yi Wang

Instructor: Yi Wang

3,274 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

•Learn more
4 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

(33 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Beginner level

Calculus and general physics, "Understanding Modern Physics" I and II, and optionally a programming language for the complexity part

6 hours to complete
3 weeks at 2 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

4 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

(33 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Beginner level

Calculus and general physics, "Understanding Modern Physics" I and II, and optionally a programming language for the complexity part

6 hours to complete
3 weeks at 2 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
  • About
  • Modules
  • Recommendations
  • Testimonials

What you'll learn

  • Introduction to action principle, fundamental particle physics, entropy & information and complexity

Skills you'll gain

  • Physics
  • Mechanics
  • Mathematical Modeling
  • Differential Equations
  • Engineering Calculations
  • Simulations
  • Calculus
  • Advanced Mathematics
  • Information Architecture
  • Physical Science

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

The 20th century was known as the century of physics. In the past 120 years, concepts such as space, time, energy, entropy and particles were understood to much deeper levels. New paradigms of thinking such as relativity and quantum mechanics emerged.

This course is the third course in the Understanding Modern Physics series, which covers an introduction to action principle, fundamental particle physics, entropy & information and complexity. This course offers a broad view between simplicity and complexity, to complement the first and second course in the Understanding Modern Physics series.

What's included

14 videos1 assignment

14 videos•Total 102 minutes
  • Course Introduction•5 minutes•Preview module
  • Weekly Introduction•5 minutes
  • Fermat's Principle•5 minutes
  • Functionals•8 minutes
  • Light Propagation Functional•2 minutes
  • Calculation of Functional Extremal•12 minutes
  • Action Principle•10 minutes
  • The Euler-Lagrange Equation•7 minutes
  • Definition of a Symmetry•10 minutes
  • Example: Time Translation Symmetry•8 minutes
  • Conservation Laws•6 minutes
  • Conservation from Time Translation•5 minutes
  • The Hidden Quantum Reality•10 minutes
  • Summary•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • III-1•30 minutes

What's included

9 videos1 assignment

9 videos•Total 60 minutes
  • Introduction•3 minutes•Preview module
  • Elementary Particles•8 minutes
  • Quest for Unification•6 minutes
  • Do We Need Quantum Gravity?•10 minutes
  • The Scale of Quantum Gravity•6 minutes
  • Why is Quantum Gravity Difficult?•6 minutes
  • A Planck Scale Collider?•6 minutes
  • Is the World Made of Strings?•6 minutes
  • Summary•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • III-2•30 minutes

What's included

9 videos1 assignment

9 videos•Total 69 minutes
  • Introduction•7 minutes•Preview module
  • Statistical Entropy•10 minutes
  • Why is there an Arrow of Time?•6 minutes
  • Arrow of Time•9 minutes
  • Other Arrows of Time•7 minutes
  • Maxwell's Demon and the Landauer's Principle•7 minutes
  • Information Content•7 minutes
  • Example and Information Entropy•9 minutes
  • Summary•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • III - 3•30 minutes

What's included

8 videos1 assignment

8 videos•Total 62 minutes
  • Introduction•9 minutes•Preview module
  • Population of Rabbits•7 minutes
  • Logistic Map•6 minutes
  • From Order to Chaos•6 minutes
  • More about Chaos•7 minutes
  • Fractals and Dimensions•10 minutes
  • Fractals in Nature•8 minutes
  • Summary•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • III-4•30 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

Instructor ratings

We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

4.6 (9 ratings)
Yi Wang
Yi Wang
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
3 Courses•26,923 learners

Offered by

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Offered by

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

HKUST is a world-class research-intensive university that focuses on science, technology, and business as well as humanities and social science. HKUST offers an international campus, and a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy to nurture well-rounded graduates with a global vision, a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and innovative thinking.

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When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.

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