From: jarleb@athena.uio.no (Jarle Brinchmann)
Subject: Exam suggestions :-)
Followup-To: sci.physics
Keywords: (Could be funny)
Reply-To: jarleb@athena.uio.no (Jarle Brinchmann)
Organization: Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 16:34:30 GMT


This is a (rather amusing IMHO) suggestion for exams:
Please read it, I had a hard time writing it in :-)

(BTW it's taken from H. J. Limpkin. Journal of Irreproducible 
Results 7. 12 (1958) and NABLADET March 1991)

Typical Examination Questions As a Guide To Graduate Students Studying
For Prelims. 

1. Elementary Particles.

List all elementary particles which has not yet been discovered,
giving mass, charge, spin, isotopic spin, strangeness, and the reason
why they are not yet been discovered. Discuss the changes which will
be necessary in current theories as each one is discovered.

2. General Relativity.

A clock is placed on a rotating table. As the speed of rotation is
increased, the clock flies to pieces. Discuss the angular distribution
of the fragments and show how this allows one to calculate the spin
and parity of the clock.

3. Quantum Theory.

a) Write the Schroedinger equation for an undergraduate taking
Elementary Physics. Develope the appropriate operators of the system,
including the pass-flunk operator, which has the eigenvalue +1 if the
student passes the course, and -1 if he flunks. Show that the
student's state at the end of the term is always an eigenstate of
this operator.

b) Show that if all undergraduates were transformed into Hilbert's
Space it would be a good thing.
 

4. Invariance Properties.

a) Discuss the behaviour under space inversions, charge conjugation
and time reversal of the Schroedinger equation 

E|F >=H|F >

Note that under space inversions this equation becomes,

< \Phi |H=< \Phi |\exists (Sorry for the LaTeX, code ,this was the
                           tricky part (JB) :-)

Discuss the implications of this property in proving the existence of
solutions of the Schroedinger equation.

b) Discuss the behaviour of the Dirac equation under rotation :
  
   i) When the blackboard upon the equation is written is rotated;
  ii) When the physiscist studying the equation is rotated.


5. Experimental Techniques.

A beam of optically-pumped polarized rubidium atoms is passed through
a homogeneous magnetic field and a radio field. This is followed by a
passage through a thin foil of magnetized iron and an adiabatic fast
passage through an inhomogeneous electric field, two mutually
perpendicular gravity fields, a radio frequency scalar meson field,
and a wheat field.

a) Why ?

b) Describe an experiment to measure Planck's constant using the most
expensive equipment possible.


6. Relativistic Quantum Field Theory.

A pair of twins named Bingle and Dingle, are separated at birth, and
Dingle is sent off to a distant star, at a velocity of 0.999c, and
returns. Discuss the relative ages of Bingle and Dingle, taking into
account the following effects:

a) Bingle and Dingle exchange light signals continously during the
trip. 

b) At the turning point (vortex) of Bingle's journey, he emits a
virtual pion which the creates a Dingle Anti-Dingle Pair. The
Anti-Dingle returns to Earth and annihilates the Original Dingle,
while the remaining Bingle and Dingle remain on the distant star and
live happily ever after.


			GOOD LUCK.

PS! There may be some typos. (Abian)
PPS! I'm exhausted and will not continue tomorrow.

  










      ---------------------------------------
       Internet: jarleb@medusa.uio.no         
       or        Jarle.Brinchmann@astro.uio.no
      ---------------------------------------

Newsgroups: sci.physics