PHYS 301 Study Guide for Section I(Ch. 1,2,&3)
Chapter 1
: A Review of Classical PhysicsFor a Good Review of Classical Physics Visit This Link
| List the major branches of classical and modern physics. |
| State Newton's Laws of Motion in words and mathematically. |
| Give mathematical expressions for: Work (W), Kinetic Energy (K), and Potential Energy (U), |
| State the principles of conservation of : (a) Energy, (b) Linear Momentum and (c) Angular Momentum. |
| Look up Kepler's Second Law and explain that it is a consequence of the conservation of Angular Momentum |
| Consider the motion of a simple pendulum. Where in its position does it have all its energy (E): (a) equal to Potential Energy (U); (b) equal to Kinetic energy (K), (c) equal to U+K. |
| Write down Maxwell's equations and state which corresponds to: (a) Gauss Law for E; (b) Gauss Laws for B; (c) Ampere's Law ; and Faraday's Law. |
| Given the expressions for E and B (eq. 1-66, page 29) show by direct differentiation that hey satisfy the wave equation given by eq. 1-31 if 1/v2 = eoµo . Look up the values for eo and µo and show that v = c -- the speed of light for all electromagnetic waves. |
| By direct differentiation Show that A sin(kx -wt) is a solution for the ODE mx" = -kx if w2 = k/m. See section on Hooke's Law (page. 3) |
| Using kinetic theory define heat and temperature. |
| Visit the nonrelativistic Doppler Shift website. by NASA .This should supplemnt the 4-line paragraph in page 14. It has pictures, derivation and even a song! and Quiz! |
Chapter 2: Relativity I
| State the initial purpose of the Michelson-Morley Experiment. What was the result of this experiment. |
| Show clearly the result of the Michelson-Morley Experiment is consistent with the prediction of the special theory of relativity. i.e. it can be explained using length contraction or time dilation. |
| Be able to calculate effects of length contraction and time dilation (see examples 2-2 and 2-3) |
| State the two Einstein's postulates What are these postulates a foundation for? |
| Be able to write and use the Lorentz Transformations form (x,y,z, t) to (x',y'.z' and t'). |
| Be able to obtain the expressions for length contraction and time dilation from Lorentz transformation |
| Be able to use the Relativistic Doppler shift to calculate the relative speeds of a source and detector. e.g. the recession or approach speed of distant stars or even cars snd airplanes. (see example 2-6). Use this lia ggonk to check v/c for red shift |
| Einstein's 2nd postulate demands than c+v = c-v = c . How is this possible? |
| For a good review an animations related to length contraction, time dilation, twin paradox, pole in the barn etc. visit this link. |
Part A
1. Submit the solution to this physlet
2. Using a spread sheet plot the the a graph at of (a) T vs v/c for the time dilation relation and L vs v/c fo rthe length contraction relation from v/c =0 to 0.9. Use intervals of 0.1 and draw a smooth cuve.
3. A pion has a 26 ns life time and travels at 0.75c. Calcualte how far it travels using classical physics? Experiment shows however it covers about 30% more than what classical physics predicts. How could this be? Calcualte the distance it covers if one uses relativity from the point of view of an observer at rest in the lab? Recalculate the distance according to an observer that travels with the pion?
Part B
Do the following problems from Chapter 2:
2, 5, 7, 13, 15, 19, 24
Homework II will follow after we cover chapter 3 .
The suggested Problems from chapter 3 are:
1,2,9,11,13,23,25,33