By the way, there are 6 problems. Sadly there are none on semiconductors or n-p junction physics. As I mentioned before there is an emphasis on understanding kinetic energy. Square wells or double wells will not be ignored. These problems will provide an opportunity to show your strengths with calculations and concepts. This is an excellent class and I am very impressed with your work, feedback and understanding!
Regarding time management for the final: I think everyone will be able to finish the 6 regular credit problems within our 3 hour time constraint. There are some interesting problems in those 6 that will hopefully challenge you and reveal your solid understanding of quantum physics. People work at different paces and just finishing those 6 is enough, however, if you finish those with time to spare I strongly recommend the extra-credit.
Here is a guide to how to prioritize your time with regard to the extra credit which consists of 3 separate problems labeled: 6c, 7a and 7b. I would suggest prioritizing 6c (extra credit), 7a (extra credit) and 7b (extra credit) in that order. 7a is a "swing for the fences home-run" problem. If you can solve 7a I will be very impressed. If you can come up with something insightful for 6c, that could also be very cool. If you have no idea how to do 7a, then you can just go on to 7b after working on 6c. I hope this helps.
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Your final will cover a number of things, with some familiar problems and other problems that you probably cannot anticipate, but that you will be able to do if you have a deep and close relationship with quantum kinetic energy. I would recommend that in your preparation you cover a range of topics, as we have discussed, and you put some particular emphasis on developing an understanding of quantum kinetic energy. There is a particular emphasis on kinetic energy in the more difficult problems. Also, I believe that there may be a problem that enables you to refer to and use the Schrodinger equation.
There will be no ceiling on this exam. There are 3 serious extra-credit problems at the end that will enable you to soar into the stratosphere if you have the time and inclination.
On one problem you may encounter an integral that is not in your tables. Don't spend a lot of time trying to do a completely unexpected integral. (Your effort to do a novel integral will be unappreciated and will likely take time away from more fruitful endeavors.) Instead, the best thing is to factor everything with units out and leave behind an integral that will produce a unit-free result, i.e., a number. That way you can check the units of your answer, and observe its dependencies on various parameters, without actually doing the integral. Here is an example:
What does "no ceiling" mean?
ReplyDeleteThat there are 3 serious extra-credit problems at the end just in case someone finds the regular part too easy. Just in case there is a student of very exceptional ability who feels unchallenged.
DeleteDon't worry about students picking up a few points here and there on these problems. They will be graded to a very high standard. Probably only one or two people will get points there at all. I made the rest of the exam a little shorter, 6 problems. I think actually everyone benefits. Less time pressure on the regular exam, along with opportunity for special challenges at the end.
Awesome, thanks for the clarification! I like the idea of making the challenging problems extra credit :)
DeleteThis is a little last minute, but will we have questions related to the electric field? Like how electrons respond to external/oscillating E?
ReplyDeleteNo. No questions on that.
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