PHYS 301 Study Guide for Section I(Ch. 1,2,&3)
Chapter 0
: 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. |
| Visit the nonrelativistic Doppler Shift website. by NASA .This should supplement the 4-line paragraph in page 14. It has pictures, derivation and even a song! and Quiz! |
Chapter 1: 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 and airplanes. Use this link 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. |
Chapter 2 Relativity II
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Be familiar with expression for relativistic mass, momentum and energy. |
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Be familiar with the momentum four vector. With energy as the fourth vector. |
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Be able to use the famous formula E = mc2 to calculate energy generated in fusion and fission |
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Be able to calculate binding energies for nuclei and atoms. |
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Study the invariants for space-time eq.2-30 and four energy and momentum 2-31 |
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Be able to explain how mass less particles such as photons and neutrinos can have energy and momentum |
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Be able to state how the the special theory of relativity differs from the general theory of relativity. |
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List some of the predictions of general relativity that has been been verified and some that have yet to be verified by experiment. |
A link for reviewing relativity & other topic in physics
A simple derivation of Lorentz Transformation based on Length Contraction