2006 HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

PHYSICS 715, STATISTICAL MECHANICS

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General comments:
The problem sets are intended to stimulate your thinking about, and give you practice using, statistical mechanics as applied to a variety of physical situations ranging from the description of gases and solids to astrophysics and critical phenomena. The problems are often challenging, and designed for group work/discussion and cooperative learning. They also illustrate a variety of useful techniques, some perhaps not familiar. The goal is for you to learn to use statistical mechanics - including these techniques - as a tool for tackling real physics problems. This is usually best accomplished by using real problems rather than made-up examples for homework. ("Last year's Nobel Prize is this year's homework problem" - LD.)

FOLLOW THE NOTATION IN LANDAU AND LIFSHITZ, and DO NOT simply try to look up solutions elsewhere---you won't learn much! THE PROBLEMS SHOULD BE HANDED IN ON THE DAY INDICATED. Problem solutions will be put on reserve in the library and on the web after the due date. No late problems will be accepted without prior arrangement!

Numerical work
Some of the problems require numerical work, in part to get you familiar with typical numbers in applications, and in part to get you connect the outcome with theory. Nothing more than a scientific calculator, graph paper, and table of integrals is actually needed, but you will probably want to use Mathematica, Maple, Matlab, Fortran, or some other computer program for a few problems. My general advice is to THINK BEFORE YOU COMPUTE. If you use a computer, hand in your program with the homework solutions.

Cooperative learning is important:
You are STRONGLY encouraged to discuss the problems with other students, and to WORK TOGETHER on their solution. This can be a bonding experience. 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.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS (HTML VERSIONS WITH COMMENTS/HINTS):

© Loyal Durand, 1996, 1999, 2006