PH253: Unsavory HW6 typo

Indeed, you are right: in problem 1 the width of the well is 2a, not a as I listed originally. The well extends from x=-a to x=a, and has V=0 over that interval. For |x|>a, the potential is infinite. That is why the normalization constant is 1/sqrt(a), not sqrt(2/a).

I've corrected that on the problem set, available at the same place.

PH253: Exam 1 practice problems

Here you are. It is unlikely that there will detailed solutions before Thursday, but I will try.

Remember, the exam has 7 problems and you must do 5 of them. I will provide a formula sheet with all the necessary equations & constants (an example of which will show up tonight or tomorrow), what you put on the sheet you're allowed to bring in is up to you.

It will be important that you manage your time -- don't get stuck on any one problem too long, since you have the freedom to skip two of them. If you really don't know how to go about a problem, don't freak out: just pick another one. Choose your problems carefully, and start with the ones you think are easiest.

PH253: Example problems for the final.

Find the first batch here.

They are by and large a bit shorter than what the final questions will look like, but if you can handle these, you can handle the final.

More to follow on the remainder of the material, hopefully tonight. Answers/solutions will not be posted immediately so you give them a try first ...

PH253: Exam practice problems

Just to get you started, here are some questions from the text that are worth looking at:

Section 1:

• Example 1.7
• Exercises 3,4,5,6,12
• Problem 6

Section 2:

• Exercises 3, 11, 12
• Problem 3

These are relatively simple problems, but concerning topics that are very likely to show up on the exam. I'll be posting some more in-depth problems shortly for you to practice on. These will very closely resemble what the exam will look like.