Physics 129 Page

Physics 129 Page Mathematical Methods of Physics

Instructor: Frank Porter

Office at Caltech: 348 Lauritsen

Mail Stop: 356-48

Telephone: (626) 395 6777

Fax: (626) 584 9304 or (626) 795 3951

Email: fcp@hep.caltech.edu

Secretary: Betty Smith Phone: (626) 395 6667 betty@hep.caltech.edu

Office at SLAC: 209 Research Office Building

Phone: (650) 926 3516

Fax: (650) 926 8522

TAs:

Jeffrey Atwell atwell@caltech.edu Ext 6623
Office Hours: Tuesdays 1:00-2:00PM, office 471 Lauritsen; send Jeff an email if you would like to meet at a different time.
Mailbox on fourth floor Lauritsen

Timothy Dulaney dulaney@caltech.edu Ext 2496
Office Hours: Tuesdays 1:00-2:30PM, office 457 Lauritsen
Mailbox on fourth floor Lauritsen
[Timothy will be grading every third problem set; his office hours apply to the weeks when those sets are due.

Late Policy: Homework is due by 5 PM on the due date. If you need an extension, email the TA by the day before the homework is due. Extensions will be granted quite freely, but you must include: Why you need the extension, and when you will turn it in. You can have an extension of up to one week. If you do not get an extension, the policy is 50% credit up to one week late, and zero credit after that. Also, note that late homework may not be graded in a timely manner. If you need to make some special arrangements for homework, please contact us, and we'll work something out.

Physics 129a "Analysis"

Ph 129a Outline, Information about course [PDF]

Notes (updated versions will be posted in due course):

Review of Complex Variables [PDF]
Integral Equations [PDF]
Hilbert Spaces [PDF]
Distributions [PDF]
Linear Differential Equations [PDF]; Solution to problem 9 [PDF]
Variational Calculus [PDF]
(Supplement) Resolvents [PDF]
(Supplement) Measure Theory [PDF]

Ph 129a Problem Sets
Note: broken links will be fixed as assignments become ready.

Problem set 1 [PDF]

Hint: Use symmetry to make problem 2 easier. For example, see Mathews and Walker section 3.2.
Note: I'll say something about problem 2 in class Wednesday. If you are having trouble, you may wish to wait for class Wednesday. I'll make this homework set due Thursday, October 5 (5PM) for those who want to do this.

Problem set 1 solutions [PDF]

Problem set 2 [PDF]

Problem set 2 solutions [PDF]

Problem set 3 [PDF]

Problem set 3 solutions [PDF]

Problem set 4 [PDF]

Problem set 4 solutions [PDF]

Problem set 5 [PDF]

Problem set 5 solutions [PDF]

Problem set 6 [PDF]

Problem set 6 solutions [PDF]

Problem set 7 [PDF]

Problem set 7 solutions [PDF]

Problem set 8 [PDF]Do not do problem 39, it has been dropped

Problem set 8 solutions [PDF]

Problem set 9 [PDF]

Problem set 9 solutions [PDF]

Problem set 10 [PDF]

Problem set 10 solutions [PDF]

Physics 129b "Group Theory"

The second quarter (winter) of physics 129 will cover the subject of "group theory", as used in application to physical problems. We will start with the basic definitions. Finite (for example the crystallographic point groups and the permutation groups) and infinite groups (for example, the rotation group) will be discussed. Representation theory will be developed in some detail. Lie groups and Lie algebras will be discussed. The graphical Young diagram tools will be developed, and the notions of abstract tensor algebras.

Notes (check back for updated versions)

Group theory basics [PDF]
Crystallographic point groups [PDF]
Representation theory [PDF]
[Supplement] Alternative proof of invariance of translation subgroup [PDF] (Domenic Denicola)
The rotation group in quantum mechanics [PDF]
Lie groups and Lie algebras [PDF]
The permutation group and Young diagrams [PDF]

Ph 129b Problem Sets
Note: broken links will be fixed as assignments become ready.