The Mechanical Universe... and Beyond (1985–1986) User Reviews (2)

Clear and concise

[ikaros-3 · 10/10 · 21 November 2006]

Although over twenty years old (as of this writing), "The Mechanical Universe" remains a high mark not only for the presentation of physics on TV but for educational television in general. Aided by Dr James Blinn's computer animations and bookended by the very personable Dr David Goodstein, "The Mechanical Universe" presents physics entertainingly, but without talking down to the viewer, and covers everything from Galileo to Gell-Mann. You don't even need a science or math background to appreciate it--although the program definitely assumes that you have a basic grounding and interest in both.

Recommended? Heck, this should be *required*. It airs periodically on PBS, or Educable--keep an eye out for it. It deserves a far wider DVD release than the limited (and unspeakably expensive) one it's getting.

Excellent primer of all things physics for any age!

[fenrislupus · 24 April 2006]

This is an amazing series taking the viewer through an amazing array of modern physical concepts and understandings. The series takes you from Newtonian classical mechanics to Quantum physics all step by step both through excellent explanation as well as wonderfully rendered and manipulated equations. Here are the topics:

Topics Include: Introduction to the Mechanical Universe The Law of Falling Bodies Derivatives Inertia Vectors Newton's Laws Integration The Apple and the Moon Moving in Circles Fundamental Forces Gravity, Electricity and Magnetism The Millikan Experiment Conservation of Energy Potential Energy Conservation of Momentum Harmonic Motion Resonance Waves Angular Momentum Torques and Gyroscopes Kepler's Three Laws The Kepler Problem Energy and Eccentricity Navigating in Space Kepler to Einstein Harmony of the Spheres Beyond the Mechanical Universe

Static Electricity The Electric Field Voltage, Energy and Force The Electric Battery Electric Circuits Magnetism The Magnetic Field Vector Fields and Hydrodynamics Electromagnetic Induction Alternating Current Maxwell's Equations Optics The Michelson-Morley Experiment The Lorentz Transformation Velocity and Time Mass, Momentum and Energy Temperature and Gas Laws Engine of Nature Entropy Low Temperatures The Atom Particles and Waves From Atoms to Quarks The Quantum Mechanical Universe

It's a wonderful series that begs to be watched again and again.... something you will never tire of.