General methods and approaches of the physicist including modeling, scaling,
numerical estimation, and dimensional analysis as applied to the
development, understanding, and solution of physics problems.
Prerequisite: senior standing in physics or applied physics.
Text (Fall, 2002):
Typical Syllabus:
| Week | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Units and Limiting cases - checking your answers and answering quickly |
| 2 | A Physicist's General Philosophy Reading from The Logic of Modern Physics, P. W. Bridgman |
| 3 | Models Reading from Qualitative Analysis of Physics Problems, M. Gitterman |
| 4 | Coordinate Systems and Generalized Coordinates |
| 5 | Scaling Arguements Reading and problems from Physics, Kane and Sternheim, and handout on viscosity |
| 6 | Analogies - solving one problem with another Reading from Dynamical Analogies, H. F. Olson |
| 7 | The importance of symmetries - from general laws to problem solving Readings from Qualitative Analysis of Physics Problems, M. Gitterman, and Nuclei and Particles, Segre |
| 8 | The use of small parameters Small parameter excercises |
| 9 | Non-linear problems - general phenomena Reading from Nonlinear Mathematics, T. L. Saaty and J. Bram |
| 10 | Analysis of some problem solutions I GRE-like problems, solving without solving |
| 11 | Analysis of some problem solutions II GRE-like problems, student selected - Obtaining solutions without lengthy calculations |
| 12 | GRE-like Sample Test |
| 13 | Review of Problem areas from previous week |
| 14 | Miscellaneous current topics in Physics An emphasis on current research which uses concepts and techniques from undergrad level physics |
Course Rationale:
A physicist often must address new problems in an area for which
they have little or no prior experience. This course
has physics majors take a step back and examine some of the
common threads between different areas of physics and how they
apply to thinking about, setting up, and solving problems in
physics using results and understanding from their coursework,
and hence to better prepare students to deal with new
situations in the future.