This course is a continuation of Physics 101A. It is taught at the introductory level and does not assume mathematical sophistication significantly beyond that needed for Physics 5. Emphasis will be placed on the physics concepts, the connections with historical experiments, and solving problems related to very simple, idealized systems. Formal theory and the use of more advanced mathematical methods will be left to Physics 110 (E&M) and 139 (Quantum Mechanics). You will find 101B to be somewhat different from 101A, because we will cover several fields of modern physics rather than the basic theories of relativity and quantum mechanics. Since we will typically cover an entire field, such as solid-state physics, in only a couple of weeks, the treatment will be necessarily superficial. Just enough, hopefully, to whet your appetite for a more serious treatment in a future physics elective!

I will maintain a web page for this course, where you will be able to find course information, homework assignments, homework and exam solutions, graphics used during the lectures, and so forth. The address (URL) is given on the first page of the syllabus. Hard copies of the handouts and solution sets will also be kept in the reserves of the science library.

A set of homework problems will be given out each week, usually due on Friday in class, as indicated in the syllabus, for a total of eight assignments. The fourth assignment will be longer than the others, with two weeks to complete it. You are welcome and encouraged to collaborate on the homework, but your final solutions should be written up by yourself. You are also encouraged to seek help on the homework, whenever necessary, from Paul and myself. While my official office hours are the most convenient time for me to meet with you, if you have an urgent question that cannot wait, please feel free to drop in at any time during the workday (except for the hour just before class). If I am not in my office, then I can usually be found around the SCIPP area in Nat. Sci. II. For example, be sure to check my lab in Room 369. I am also available via e-mail and often answer questions from students via that medium.

I would like to offer special encouragement to you to take advantage of my office hours. I believe that most students could greatly benefit from more direct interaction with the professor, and I know that I could benefit from more interaction with you than is possible during the lectures. It is very difficult for me to know what problems students are having with the material just from the lectures (until the exam, when it is too late). If I can work with more of you one on one, then I can be much more successful in addressing possible misconceptions or other difficulties with the subject material. I would be happy to have 100% of my office hour time taken up by one or more students. In practice that rarely happens, so it is an open opportunity for you.

Exams: Midterm: April 30

Final: Wednesday, June 9, 8:00—11:00 am

Grades and evaluations will be determined from the homework, the midterm exam, and the final exam, with the following approximate weights:

• Homework: 25%
• Midterm exam: 30%
• Final exam: 45%

If you requested a letter grade, you can expect an A for a total above 83% or more, B for a total above 63%, or C for a total above 43%. I give a relatively heavy weight to the homework, in spite of the fact that students may collaborate and otherwise obtain assistance, because I believe that it is crucial that you work the problems in order to become proficient with the material. You will be expected to make a serious attempt at all of the assigned problems.