Season 1 poster
7 episodes

The Character of Physical Law - Season 1

First aired Nov 9, 1964Season 1

Browse all 7 episodes in this season, including available images, air dates, runtimes, ratings and episode summaries from TMDB.

Episodes

The Law of Gravitation - An Example of Physical Law still

Episode 1

The Law of Gravitation - An Example of Physical Law

NR
Nov 9, 1964

After a brief introduction by Dale Corson, Dr. Richard Feynman discusses the physical law of gravity. He covers its origins through scientific discoveries in astronomy and also Newton's contribution. He then discusses its implications and relationship to other laws.

The Relation of Mathematics to Physics still

Episode 2

The Relation of Mathematics to Physics

NR

In this lecture, Dr. Richard Feynman explores the relationship between mathematics and physics. He discusses the use of mathematics, ist power as a reasoning tool, the two traditions in science, and the fact that pursuits in physics have many possible starting points.

The Great Conservation Principles still

Episode 3

The Great Conservation Principles

NR

In this lecture, Dr. Richard Feynman discusses the great conservation principles including those related to electric charge, baryons, strangeness, energy, and angular momentum. He also discusses locality and the principle of relativity.

Symmetry in Physical Law still

Episode 4

Symmetry in Physical Law

NR

In this lecture, Dr. Richard Feynman discusses symmetry in physical law. He covers translation in space, translation in time, rotation in space, the principle of relativity, symmetry in atomic particles, changes in scale, uniform angular speed, and reflection in space. He also discusses the relationship between conservation laws and symmetry, and concludes with a brief look at antimatter.

The Distinction of Past and Future still

Episode 5

The Distinction of Past and Future

NR

In this lecture, Dr. Richard Feynman discusses the linearty of time, and its irreversible nature. He discusses the related topics of order and disorder, equilibrium, and how these relate to phenomena in our universe.

Probability and Uncertainty still

Episode 6

Probability and Uncertainty

NR

In this lecture, Dr. Richard Feynman discusses the peculiarities of physics at the quantum level. He uses the classic double-slit experiment to illustrate the odd behavior of electrons and photons, and what scientists have learned about the way the universe works at such a small scale.

Seeking New Laws still

Episode 7

Seeking New Laws

NR

In this lecture, Dr. Richard Feynman explores the process by which new laws of nature are discovered. He discusses the fundamental constituents of matter, and how scientists use various methods to attempt to discover new laws.