Physics U613 - Particle and Nuclear Physics -- Spring 2008
This page will be updated as the semester proceeds, so bookmark this
page and check it often (at least once a week). For detailed assignments, please check the
syllabus page as well.
Final Exam -- Thursday, 24 April at 8:00 am in room 2 SL (Snell Library)
Note that you access this room through the outside staircase or through the tunnel system.
Any conflicts in your final exam schedule should be reported immediately both to me and to the Registrar (also known as 'Student Central') in 120 HAyden immediately.
Announcements
- (4/4) Just as a test, here is a link to my new book on Mathematical Physics. Please let me know
in class if you actually notice this link and look at the page. Thanks!
- (3/17) I have posted the first particle physics data page on the course web site.
- (2/25) As announced in class today, the midterm exam will last 60 minutes. After that, I will discuss some topics in particle physics and
hand out the next problem set.
- (2/20) A comprehensive source for data on elementary particle physics is the Particle Data Group at Lawrence Berkeley Lab, as noted also on the links page. Their first collection was in 1958.
- (2/13) The midterm exam will be on Thursday, 28 February.
- (2/13) The fourth homework assignment is on the web site.
- (2/4) A nice discussion of the fermi gas and its relation to white
dwarf stars can be found in some
quantum mechanics lecture notes from U Texas (Austin).
- (2/4) The promised spreadsheet has been posted.
- (2/2) Note. I want to emphasize the importance of doing the homework. While the actual homework only counts for 25% of the grade in the course, it is unlikely that you will do well on the exams if you have not been actively thinking about the questions raised in the homework assignments.
- (1/31) I will post a spreadsheet with a number of calculations from problem set #1, after next Monday's class.
- (1/25) You might want to look at section 1.2 (pp. 7-9) on relativity and antiparticles for a little more background on the positron and other antiparticles -- we will discuss these more later when we come to modern particle physics. Please also look at the syllabus page for readings to be discussed next week.
- (1/23) I noticed in looking at problems 1 and 2 of set #1 that there may be a discrepancy of a factor of about 4 between the coefficient of the asymmetry term I gave in class and the value given in the book (the value in the book is 93.12 MeV -- the correct value for the other parameter set in 92.84 -- I might have given 23.21 in class -- if so, please fix it). I will explain in class Thursday.
- (1/10) The reading assignment for next week is chapter 2, as noted on the syllabus page. Try to read through sec. 2.4 for Monday's class. If you are unfamiliar with the concept of a scattering cross-section, have a look at sec. 1.6.2, and I will also give a discussion in class.
- (1/7) Check the syllabus page for reading and assignments and added comments on the lectures.
- (1/7) The final exam time has been posted (see above).
I am usually available at times other than the office hours posted here. You can drop by 223 Dana, but to check if I will be there, please telephone, send email, or
see me after class.
This page will be updated as the semester proceeds, so bookmark this
page and check it often (at least once a week). For detailed assignments,
please check the syllabus page as well.
class meetings
The class meets on M, Th 11:45 am - 1:25 pm (sequence A)
in room 247 Ryder (RY).
textbook
The main textbook for the course is
Nuclear and Particle Physics: An Introduction, by
Brian R. Martin (Wiley, 2007)
The author maintains a website for the textbook, including a page with corrections and updates to the book. (If you have a used copy of the book, be sure to check in the front whether you have the original 2006 edition or the 2007 reprint with corrections.)
There are also several books on reserve in the library. Go to the reserve book search page and enter the course number (PHY U613) or my name to find an updated list.
There is also an online syllabus for the course, with reading assignments and other items of interest. Please check it often for updates.
grading scheme
Your grade in the course will be based on the following scheme:
Exams - 75%
There will be one midterm during the term -- time to be announced later -- and a final exam covering the entire course Thursday, 24 April at 8:00 AM in room 2 SL
(Snell library). Any conflicts in your final exam schedule should be reported immediately both to me and to the Registrar (also known as 'Student Central') in 120 HAyden immediately.
The exams taken together will count 75% or more of your grade. I will use a flexible scheme in which the exams and assignments on which you do best are more heavily weighted but the basic weight is 50% for the final exam and 25% for the midterm exam.
Problems and Quizzes - 25%
There will be homework assignments, and perhaps an occasional quiz, which will count up to 25% of your grade. Please note that I do not accept late homework assignments, as I discuss problems in class early.
Missing one homework assignment will not directly affect your grade.
Final Remarks
This is a course where you should enjoy the science, and work hard to
understand what it is all about. If you can focus on that, the grade will take care of itself. Do your best.
I have made up a short list of links from which you can begin to explore the various information available on the Web. More links will be added as the course goes along.
Go to Physics Home Page
The URL for this page is
http://www.atsweb.neu.edu/physics/m.vaughn/PHYU613_Sp08/npphys_Sp08_home.html
latest update 4 April 2008.