PHYSICS 701 PHYSICS 701, FALL 2009

(updated Nov. 18, 2009)

  • course syllabus: (postscript) (pdf)


    Sofar, we have covered the material of the textbook:
    chapter 1, except section 16
    chapter 2, sections 1 through 16
    chapter 3, sections 1 to 10 and 12
    chapter 4, sections 1 to 6
    chapter 5, sections 1 to 5, 8, 9, 13
    chapter 6, sections 1 to 3
    chapter 7, sections 1 to 18
    chapter 8, sections 1 to 9-12, 14 to 20, 24 to 27
    chapter 9, sections 1 to 8, self-study: section 9, 13, 14, 16-21
    chapter 10, sections 1 to 7

  • homework set #1; due: September 10
    Problems 1.6, 1.8, 1.13 and 1.14 of the textbook (Johns).
    Note that problem 1.14 part (c) has a typo: the 3 and the 2 under the square root should be interchanged.

  • homework set #2; due: September 17
    Problems 2.3, 2.7, 2.9 and 2.12 of the textbook.
    Note that problem 2.3 is relevant for problem 2.7. In problem 2.9, it is easiest to find the potential energy in the q coordinate system.

  • homework set #3; due: September 24
    Problems 3.2, 3.7 and 4.2 of the textbook.

  • homework set #4; due: October 1
    Problems 4.8, 4.9 and 5.3 of the textbook.

  • homework set #5; due: October 8
    Problems 5.6, 5.9(a,b,c) of the textbook.
    Hint for problem 5.6: In part (b), simplify the Euler-Lagrange equations by choosing the parameter beta to be the arclength along the curve.
    Problem 5.9 requires a fair amount of work - start early!

  • homework set #6; due: October 15
    Problems 7.1(a) and 7.4 of the textbook.

  • homework set #7; due October 22
    Problems 7.2 and 7.9 of the textbook.

  • homework set #8; due: November 6 (Friday)
    Problems 8.1, 8.8 and 8.14 of the textbook. To do problem 8.8, study sections 8.30-8.32.

  • homework set #9; due: November 19
    Problems 9.2, 9.4 and 9.8 of the textbook. To do problem 9.8, study sections 9.9 and 9.10.

  • homework set #10; due: December 3
    Problems 9.3, 9.11 and 10.1 of the textbook. To do problems 9.3 and 9.11, study section 9.22.