Physics 6010 home


Note:  these assignments are provisional and subject to change!

Homework problems


Assignment 1:  Chapter 1 -  8, 9, 10, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21.  Due: 9/21



Assignment 2:  Chapter 2 -  3-5, 12, 13, 16-19,  22  Due: 10/10

Additional Problem (see Symmetries and Conservation Laws:  Noether's Theorem):

Consider a system of Newtonian particles interacting pairwise by central forces. Show that this system admits a boost symmetry. Use Noether's theorem to compute the corresponding conserved quantities. What is their physical interpretation?



Assignment 3:  Chapter 3 -  10, 11, 13, 19,  20, 22, 33  Due: 10/28


Additional Problem (see First integrals. Reduction. The 2-body problem.):

Show that the conserved angular momentum of the relative motion is the total angular momentum of the 2-body system defined relative to the center of mass.


Assignment 4:  Chapter 6 -  1, 3, 12, 14, 16, 18.   Due: 11/11

Additional Problem:

Consider an oscillator, initially at rest, which undergoes a constant force for a finite period of time.  Show that after the force ceases the system is oscillating harmonically. Determine the amplitude of the resulting oscillation.
  See Forced Oscillations for details.



Assignment 5:       Chapter 8 - 1a, 2, 15, 16, 19, 23, 26, 35
                               Chapter 9 -  5, 25, 28a, 30, 31



Extra Credit Problem:

What is the infinitesimal symmetry responsible for the conservation of the Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector?