Theory, Problems, and Solutions in Physics and Astrophysics

The purpose of this book is to help the undergraduate physics and astronomy student to solve problems in the physics and astronomy courses. Finding a rigorous set of physics and astronomy problems (with worked out solutions) at the upper division level is a hard if not impossible thing to do. While at UC Berkeley (2006-2008) I typed up my homework problems and have summarized the most informative and interesting problems I encountered along the way. This set of problems provide a very thorough and comprehensive set of examples from which to understand the "basics" in upper division physics and astrophysics. A strong background in the physics and astronomy concepts is assumed. The problems and solutions are divided into six distinct sections: linear algebra and complex analysis (math for physics students), quantum mechanics II (second course in quantum mechanics), thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, stellar physics, and cosmology. Example problems include: Complex Numbers, Taylor Series, Residue Theorem, Fourier Series, The Hydrogen Atom, Clebsch-Gordan Coefficients, Cold Emission, The Gaussian Potential, The Relative Density, Maxwell Relations, Ideal Gas Calculations, Images, Electric Quadrupoles, Forces on Magnetic Dipoles, Magnetic Levitation, Convective Atmospheres, Polytropes, The Helium Main Sequence, Neutrinos, Time Evolution of Omega, Most Distant Galaxies, Gamow's Prediction of the CMB, Particle Horizon and the Horizon Problem. I am forever indebted to my Proffessors who presented these problems and my study group which spent countless hours working together on deriving the solutions.