Physics 2218: Waves and Thermal Physics

Spring
2024

Here's a demo from the April 19 lecture. Because understanding what's going on here is so fundamental to the subject of thermodynamics, expect to see some questions about this system on the final exam.

Announcements

  • (1/21) This course has no Canvas site. All information, course materials, etc. are accessed through this site.
  • (1/21) My position on DEI.
  • (1/22) Some thoughts about learning physics.
  • (1/22) Why this course has no textbook.
  • (1/22) If you wish to meet about something other than physics or homework, say you are dealing with a difficult situation, send me an email and we'll arrange a time to meet in my office (PSB 426).
  • (1/22) I'm planning to keep my Tuesdays and Thursdays free this semester, because I'm under a deadline to finish writing my book Deconstructing the Energy Landscape by the end of May.
  • (1/25) I checked with your grader, Michael, and he will accept electronic homework submissions. There are some downsides of electronic homework. First, Michael will not be able to mark your work and help you see where you went astray (you'll have to do that on your own by reading the solutions). Second, you will have less preparation for the exams, which will involve writing on paper. For things like graphical manipulations of functions (problem 1, HW 1) it's good to have some practice without the tools provided by an electronic interface (which you won't have on an exam).
  • (2/5) Be sure to get the updated version of HW3 with three problems.
  • (2/7) Study hall on Tuesdays is now in 294A
  • (2/29) This is the kind of announcement you only get once every four years. Many, if not most of you did terribly on the prelim! Question 3 about the organ pipe was meant to be a freebie, a rehash of lecture 10. Are you even reading the lectures? Please read pages 10.7-10.10. You will find the answer to question 3 on page 10.10. Unless I see some improvement on the second prelim there are going to be many low grades in this course. Now is the time to reboot your brain. A good way to do that is to start reading the lecture notes!
  • (3/11) In response to a student request, Monday office hours have been moved one hour later, 3:30-5:30.
  • (4/22) I tested positive for COVID on Sunday and have to miss study hall today. Avinash will give the lecture today, and we'll see how I'm doing on Wednesday.
  • (4/25) HW 11, due May 1, was updated.

Course Information

  • prerequisites (not negotiable): mechanics, electromagnetism, special relativity (or enrolled in 2216), complex variables, multi-variable calculus
  • two prelims and one final exam
  • one homework assignment almost every week
  • grade: homework 40%, final 20%, prelims 2 x 20%
  • recommended text: Feynman Lectures on Physics, Volume I
  • lectures, homework assignments, and exams will be based on the lecture notes posted below

Syllabus

  • waves
  • thermal physics

Lectures

  • lectures usually follow the lecture notes below
  • if possible, read them before the date of the lecture
  • there will be in-class demos not covered in the notes
  • to stay engaged during lecture you are strongly encouraged not to take lecture notes 
  • lecture dates are tentative and may have to be revised

 

Exams

  • prelim 1: 2/22 7:30pm RCK 115 solutions
  • prelim 2: 3/28 7:30pm RCK 115 solutions
  • final: 5/11 2:00pm

Mathematica computer demos

Homework (bring to class on date next to each assignment, or submit electronically before class)

Staff information

  • lecturer: Veit Elser (ve10), office: PSB 426, office hours: Monday 3:30-5:30 pm, Clark 294F
  • TA: Avinash Mandaya (am2957), office hours: Tuesday 2:30-3:30 pm, Clark 294A; Friday 2:30-3:30 pm, Clark 294H
  • grader: Michael Kaemingk (mk2533)