The Mechanical universe-- and beyond
Subtitle: Part I : The mechanical universe, programs 21-26
By: California Institute of Technology and the Corporation for Community College Television ; producer and director, Peter Buffa
Contributors: Fletcher, Aaron; Annenberg/CPB Project; California Institute of Technology; Corporation for Community College Television
Publisher: Annenberg/CPB
Published: 2003
Place of publication: S. Burlington, VT
Language: eng
Format: [videorecording] /
Number of pages: 180
Subjects: Kepler's laws; Gravitation; Orbits; Force and energy; Angular momentum; Space flight; Black holes (Astronomy); Tides; General relativity (Physics)
Other titles: Mechanical universe (Television program); Kepler's three laws.; Kepler problem.; Energy and eccentricity.; Navigating in space.; Kepler to Einstein.; Harmony of the spheres.
Description: Program 21 deals with Kepler's three laws which described the motion of heavenly bodies with unprecedented accuracy. Also discusses the relationship between these laws and conic sections first identified by ancient Greek mathematicians. Program 22 deals with what is known as Kepler's problem, the deduction of all three of Kepler's laws from Newton's universal law of gravitation. Program 23 describes the orbit of all heavenly bodies in terms of the laws of conservation of energy and angular momentum. Program 24 discusses how the amount of energy needed to voyage to other planets can be minimized by using the same principles that guide planets around the solar system. Program 25 explains why natural occurrences such as the ebb and flow of tides are a consequence of the law of gravity and this explanation leads to Einstein's general theory of relativity and black holes. Program 26 looks back at material covered in earlier programs. Uses computer animation sequences, historical reenactments, and close-up photography of experiments.
Notes: An Annenberg/CPB project.

Pt. of a two-semester television course.

Videodisc release of the original television program: The mechanical universe.

Animated graphics, Jim Blinn ; story editor, Jack Arnold ; consultants, Dave A. Campbell, Judith Goodstein.

Host, David Goodstein ; narrator, Aaron Fletcher.

College students and adults.

DVD.
Table of contents: title: Kepler's three laws (30 min.); title: The Kepler problem (30 min.); title: Energy and eccentricity (30 min.); title: Navigating in space (30 min.); title: Kepler to Einstein (30 min.); title: Harmony of the spheres (30 min.).