Professor Walter Lewin is one of the most recognized faces of Astro-Physics in modern times. His lectures at the MIT not only educated but enthralled his students. His passionate style of teaching, his use of analogies for breaking down complex ideas, his use of props along with dry humour captivated the audience for hours.
Theoretical physics for many students can be a daunting subject to conquer if not entirely boring. Walter Lewin’s magic was his ability was to transform mentally taxing lectures into a riveting episodes that would easily fall in the thriller genre. Walter Lewin used innovative and often dangerous stunts in the class room to great effect. It was because of this flamboyance that he earned the title “Rock Star Professor”, an accolade that was aptly supported by his “hip” sense of dressing.
Professor Walter Lewin explaining conservation of Energy
For over 40 years he taught in one of the most renowned technical institute in the world i.e. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Unfortunately in 2015, an investigation into claims of sexual harassment found him guilty of inappropriate conduct. With immediate effect, the MIT removed his lectures from their website and all of their learning platforms and also revoked his Emeritus status.
Among his fans who have watched his lectures repeatedly include Microsoft’s Bill Gates. Although his image recently has been tarnished but his lectures remain a work of art and are still benefitting many students. A recent statistic suggested that his lectures on YouTube alone were being watched almost 5000 times a day.
For renewable energy students, listed below are some of these lectures that will aid the understanding of the underlying physics behind the machines like wind turbines, tidal and wave energy devices.
For understanding of Bernoulli’s Equation students will find the following lecture useful:
Hydrostatics Archimedes’ Principle Fluid Dynamics
https://youtu.be/mjmNriiRB2U
Fluid Mechanics, Hydrostatics, Pascal’s Principle, and Atmospheric Pressure
https://youtu.be/O_HQklhIlwQ
There is ample information in the above two lectures that can be further consolidated by going through the assignment below:
Assignments Lecture 25, 26, 27 and 28:
The solution to the above assignment can be accessed from the following link:
Solutions Lecture 25, 26, 27 and 28:
Electromagnetism is relevant to all renewable devices (other than Solar PV and Solar Water Heating). Professor Lewin’s lecture on electromagnetism can be accessed from the link below:
