Send comments or questions to: ldurand@hep.wisc.edu           

 

General comments:

HEAR THIS!

NOTA BENE!

Set 1    Set 2    Set 3    Set 4 Set 5    Set 6    Set 7    Set 8 Set 9    Set 10    Set 11    Set 12

FOLLOW THE NOTATION USED IN CLASS! THE PROBLEMS SHOULD BE HANDED IN ON THE DAY INDICATED. Problem solutions will be put on reserve in the library after the due date. No late problems will be accepted without prior arrangement!

DON'T SIMPLY TRY TO FIND THE SOLUTIONS TO THE HOMEWORK PROBLEMS IN THE LIBRARY - THE POINT OF THE HOMEWORK IS TO LEARN SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF!

SO TALK TO EACH OTHER, AND COME TO ME (PREFERABLY WITH YOUR STUDY PARTNERS) IF YOU NEED A HINT TO GET STARTED, OR WANT TO TALK A PROBLEM THROUGH (WHICH IS HOW I GET YOU INTO A PROBLEM IN ANY CASE). BUT COME PREPARED---

Explain what you are doing:

Many students find it much easier to calculate than to explain what they are doing or describe the physics of a situation, but the ability to do all three is crucial for success in research level activities, and is highly sought after in technical employment.

You will help yourself develop facility in description and explanation if you do both in writing up your homework: STATE BRIEFLY WHAT A PROBLEM IS ABOUT AND THE METHOD YOU WILL USE TO ATTACK IT BEFORE STARTING THE CALCULATION, THEN EXPLAIN THE RESULTS AT THE END. Many of the problems ask for explanations, and these are expected in the grading. Similar requests for explanations or descriptions of physical phenomena are included in exam questions. So, practice! Description and explanation are important and are tested.

Show your work!

Even correct solutions will be marked down if you do not give the details for key steps, and at least an adequate explanation of ``obvious'' steps.

Cooperative learning is important:

You are STRONGLY encouraged to discuss the problems with other students, and to WORK TOGETHER on their solution. I am happy to discuss the problems and give hints, but you may learn more from your fellow students! I generally expect you and your study partners to have made a legitimate attempt at the problems before coming for hints so your questions are focussed.

Most physics is done in collaborations. Joint work on, and discussion of, the problem assignments will give you practice in working in a collaborative setting, something expected by most potential employers of physicists. I may assign some group problems during the semester. The only condition on the collaborative approach to the problems is that you then WRITE OUT YOUR OWN SOLUTIONS.

See homework strategy for some advice on how to work most effectively on the problems.

Homework assigments:

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