assignments
1. getting started
due Thu Jan 25
- Two warm-up "back of the envelope" estimation problems. Be explicit about your assumptions and sources (if any).
- How big an asteroid can you jump off of?
- Is there more energy in the earth's atmosphere or oceans?
- Read chapter 1, "The Failures of Classical Physics".
2. failure of classical physics
due Sun Jan 28
- Do problems 3, 5, 6, 10, 15 from chapter 1.
- Start reading chapter 2 on Special Relativity.
- Explore online and peruse some other explanations of Special Relativity.
3. special relativity 1
due Sun Feb 4
4. special relativity 2
due Sun Feb 11
- Finish reading chapter 2.
- Do Problems 2.28, 2.33, 2.41, 2.49, 2.53, 2.56.
- Start looking at chapter 3 - that's next, eh?
5. photons
due Sun Feb 18
- Read chapter 3. Make sure that you understand particularly (a) the notion of "a photon", and (b) the blackbody spectrum: what it is and why the notion of photons matters in explaining its shape.
- Do problems 3.14, 3.15, 3.16, 3.20, 3.27, 3.33, 3.42
6. particle waves & uncertainty
due Sun Feb 25
- Read chapter 4. Pay particular attention to the uncertainty relations and wave packets.
- Do discussion questions 4.15, 4.16.
- Do problems 4.13, 4.18, 4.20, 4.33, 4.35, 4.39
7. test 1
due Wed Mar 7
- Test on the material in chapters 1 - 3 : special relativity (mostly) and photons as particles.
- A do-it-in-the-science building exam : you may prepare one page of your own notes, but may not use the textbook, internet, or other sources. The test will be available in my office on Monday - come take it Mon, Tues, or Wed.
8. schrodinger equation
due Mon Mar 26
- Read chapter 5.
- Do problems 5.12, 5.14, 5.19, 5.22, 5.23, 5.28, 5.29, 5.32, 5.38.
- (This is a big important chapter. I've given us two weeks to work through the material and set the problems due after spring break. Don't wait until the last moment.)
9. Ruthorford atom
due Mon Apr 2
- Read chapter 6.
- Do problems : 6.9, 6.27, 6.29, 6.31, 6.37, 6.39, 6.42.
10. Hydrogen atom
due Thu Apr 19
- (No class on Monday Apr 16 - Jim's out of town)
- Read chapter 7 & look at other sources listed on the resources page for 3D schrodinger
- Do problems from chapter 7 : 11 (a,b), 15, 17, 20, 23, 28, 32 . (When the math gets evil, do use the internet.)
11. test 2
due Tue Apr 17
- on chapters 4, 5, 6
- same rules as test 1
12. Many electron atoms
due Mon Apr 30
- Read chapters 8 & 9.
- We may also discuss some of the chapter 10 (statistical physics) material.
- Do problems 8.1, 8.9, 8.11, 8.13, 9.6, 9.8, 9.11, 9.22, 9.32 (a,b).
13. paper
due Mon May 7
- Choose a topic from the last few weeks of material.
- Write a short (5 pages or so) paper with at least three references. Diagrams and derivations are good. Explain the topic in your own words.
- possible topics : the periodic table, properties of some of the elements based on their electron configuration, molecular bonds, interpretations of quantum mechanics
14. no test 3
due Mon May 7
15. term grade
due Wed May 9
- a place for Jim's end of semester feedback.
