Some of you did very well on the Midterm 2, and some not so well. Most did not get a chance to complete the exam. Since what I am most interested in is that you understand the problems that I posed on the exam, I have decided to assign the exam as a ``homework set''. It will be worth 20% of the midterm grade (originally Midterm 2 was 25% of the course grade, now it is worth 20% and this take home is worth 5%). If you did well on the midterm and do not want to redo it, your original score will be used for the entire 25% grade. I do urge you do this, especially the final long question (which no one finished).
Please work on these on your own, though you may use the textbook, notes, and the web page. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me or the TA, David Mestre. If you are stuck on a problem, and want to ask another student for help, you may do so, but do not just get the answer from them. I do want you to understand the material on your own.
I did notice while grading the exam that often a formula would be used in an inappropriate manner. The formulae are not just magical invocations to solve given problems. You should understand what they really mean. I understand that this is difficult --- probably the most difficult thing in science. As an astrophysicist, I struggle daily to understand what various mathematical equations mean in terms of the nature of the universe. Please try and learn what these formalae are saying, though it is difficult for many of you. Remember, I and the TA are here to help you.
As suggested, here are the answers (but not the way to get them) so you can check to see if you are on the right track:
Go to the Lecture Notes Index
Back to the ASTR001/Sec3 Page
Steven T. Myers - Last revised 18Apr96