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Jan 2003

Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 11-95

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Resource Letter: OTS-1: Observations and theory of supernovae

J. Craig Wheeler

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 11 | Cited 4 times

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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This Resource Letter provides a guide to the literature on the observations of supernovae and the theory of their explosion mechanisms. Journal articles and books are cited for the following topics: observations of the spectra, spectropolarimetry, and light curves of supernovae of various types, theory of thermonuclear explosions, core collapse, and radioactive decay, applications to cosmology, and possible connections to gamma-ray bursts. © 2003 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.-i Educational aids
97.60.Bw Supernovae

From Cbits to Qbits: Teaching computer scientists quantum mechanics

N. David Mermin

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 23 | Cited 5 times

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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A strategy is suggested for teaching mathematically literate students, with no background in physics, just enough quantum mechanics for them to understand and develop algorithms in quantum computation and quantum information theory. Although the article as a whole addresses teachers of physics well versed in quantum mechanics, the central pedagogical development is addressed directly to computer scientists and mathematicians, with only occasional asides to their teacher. Physicists uninterested in quantum pedagogy may be amused (or irritated) by some of the views of standard quantum mechanics that arise naturally from this unorthodox perspective. © 2003 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.-i Educational aids
03.65.-w Quantum mechanics

Phase transition-like behavior in a low-pass filter

H. Krivine and A. Lesne

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 31 | Cited 5 times

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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We discuss an iterative electric circuit for which the limits of infinite number of elements and zero dissipation in each element do not commute. The circuit is taken from the Feynman lectures, where it was argued on physical considerations that an infinite circuit made only of inductances and capacitances would behave as a dissipative system with nonvanishing resistance below a threshold frequency. The understanding of this behavior requires that the two limits be taken in the appropriate order. This simple example illustrates that caution in multiple limiting procedures is necessary to obtain the correct physical behavior. A close analogy with the standard ferromagnetic transition of the Ising model is drawn. © 2003 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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84.30.Bv Circuit theory
05.45.-a Nonlinear dynamics and chaos
05.70.Jk Critical point phenomena
05.50.+q Lattice theory and statistics (Ising, Potts, etc.)

A high frequency chaotic signal generator: A demonstration experiment

Prodyot Kumar Roy and Arijit Basuray

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 34 | Cited 3 times

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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We discuss a simple oscillator that is capable of producing chaotic as well as periodic signals. The circuit design is straightforward and can easily be implemented in a standard undergraduate physics laboratory. The signal generator is suitable for demonstrating how the nonlinearity of the circuit elements can affect the output of an electronic device. © 2003 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.My Demonstration experiments and apparatus
05.45.-a Nonlinear dynamics and chaos

A simple algorithm for the transport of gamma rays in a medium

F. Arqueros and G. D. Montesinos

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 38 | Cited 3 times

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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A simple Monte Carlo algorithm for the simulation of the passage of γ rays of about 1 MeV in a medium is presented. In this energy range the only relevant processes are Compton scattering and photoelectric absorption. The algorithm allows the visualization of the photon tracks as well as the calculation of many quantities of interest. Several problems for a layer and a cylinder are proposed. In particular, the energy transferred to electrons in a water cylinder as a function of depth and the line shape of a NaI scintillator is calculated. © 2003 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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05.60.Gg Quantum transport
02.70.Uu Applications of Monte Carlo methods
87.55.K- Monte Carlo methods
87.56.Da Ancillary equipment

Three approaches to calculating the velocity profile of a laminar incompressible fluid flow in a hollow tube

C. Neipp, A. Hernández, T. Beléndez, J. J. Rodes, and A. Beléndez

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 46

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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We present three ways of treating the problem of fluid flow in a hollow cylinder. One method involves a differential equation, and the other two involve more physical insight. We discuss the relative advantages of each method. © 2003 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.-i Educational aids
47.15.-x Laminar flows
47.60.-i Flow phenomena in quasi-one-dimensional systems

Quantum mechanics in finite-dimensional Hilbert space

A. C. de la Torre and D. Goyeneche

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 49 | Cited 6 times

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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The quantum mechanical formalism for the position and momentum of a particle on a one-dimensional lattice is developed. Some mathematical features characteristic of finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces are compared with the infinite-dimensional case. The construction of an unbiased basis for state determination is discussed. © 2003 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.-i Educational aids
03.65.Ta Foundations of quantum mechanics; measurement theory

Exploring the propagator of a particle in a box

S. A. Fulling and K. S. Güntürk

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 55

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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The propagator of a particle in a one-dimensional box is quite different from the propagator for infinite space. It has a complicated but regular structure of everywhere dense singularities. We investigate the case of periodic boundary conditions both numerically and theoretically, leaving the slightly more complicated case of reflecting boundary conditions to the suggested problems. The singularity structure is shown to match up with the fractional revivals observed by many authors in wave packet studies. © 2003 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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03.65.Ge Solutions of wave equations: bound states

An exact solution of the Lippmann–Schwinger equation in one dimension

T. R. Yang, M. M. Dvoynenko, A. V. Goncharenko, and V. Z. Lozovski

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 64 | Cited 8 times

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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We consider a one-dimensional scattering problem and establish a system of two integral equations for the local (self-consistent) electric field. The equations are derived using the standard Green’s function method. Their solution yields the local fields at any point of the system. To illustrate the efficacy of this approach, we apply it to a film and obtain analytical solutions that are identical to the Fabry–Perot solution. Some potential applications of the approach are also discussed. © 2003 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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03.50.De Classical electromagnetism, Maxwell equations
02.30.Rz Integral equations
41.20.Jb Electromagnetic wave propagation; radiowave propagation

Jourdain’s variational equation and Appell’s equation of motion for nonholonomic dynamical systems

Li-Sheng Wang and Yih-Hsing Pao

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 72 | Cited 4 times

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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Based on Jourdain’s variational equation proposed in 1909, we deduce a minimal set of general equations of motion for nonholomic dynamical systems of particles and rigid bodies. This equation of motion for the system, which differs slightly from the Gibbs–Appell equation, appears to be the same as the equation derived by Kane in 1961. Since the same equation was established by Appell in 1903 on the basis of D’Alembert’s principle, the newly derived equation is named Appell’s equation. © 2003 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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45.05.+x General theory of classical mechanics of discrete systems
45.10.Db Variational and optimization methods
45.20.D- Newtonian mechanics
02.30.Jr Partial differential equations

Similarity between Grover’s quantum search algorithm and classical two-body collisions

Jingfu Zhang and Zhiheng Lu

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 83 | Cited 3 times

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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By studying the diffusion operator in Grover’s quantum search algorithm, we find an analogy between quantum searching and classical, elastic two-body collisions. We exploit this mathematical analogy using a thought experiment involving multiple collisions between two bodies to help illuminate why Grover’s quantum search algorithm works. Related issues are discussed. © 2003 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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03.67.Lx Quantum computation architectures and implementations

Direct observation of normal modes in coupled oscillators

Ryan Givens, O. F. de Alcantara Bonfim, and Robert B. Ormond

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 87 | Cited 2 times

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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We propose a simple and inexpensive method to directly observe each normal mode of a system of coupled oscillators, as well as to measure its corresponding frequency, without performing Fourier analysis or using expensive apparatus. The method consists of applying a frequency dependent force to the system and using the resonance to excite each mode separately. The frequency of the excited mode is determined by measuring the resonance frequency of the system. We found that the measured normal mode frequencies of coupled oscillators exhibiting two and three normal modes are in very good agreement with the theoretical estimates. The method is suitable for undergraduate students with an elementary knowledge of differential equations.© 2003 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.-i Educational aids
05.10.-a Computational methods in statistical physics and nonlinear dynamics
02.30.Hq Ordinary differential equations
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Comment on “The problem of spherically symmetric electromagnetic radiation,” by E. Comay [Am. J. Phys. 70 (7), 715–716 (2002)]

A. S. Rosenthal

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 91 | Cited 2 times

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.50.-i Educational aids
41.20.Jb Electromagnetic wave propagation; radiowave propagation
03.50.De Classical electromagnetism, Maxwell equations

Comment on “The problem of spherically symmetric electromagnetic radiation,” by E. Comay [Am. J. Phys. 70 (7), 715–716 (2002)]

T. C. Choy

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 91 | Cited 1 time

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.50.-i Educational aids
41.20.Jb Electromagnetic wave propagation; radiowave propagation
03.50.De Classical electromagnetism, Maxwell equations

Reply to “Comments on ‘The problem of spherically symmetric electromagnetic radiation,’ ” by E. Comay [Am. J. Phys. 70 (7), 715–716 (2002)]

E. Comay

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 92 | Cited 1 time

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.50.-i Educational aids
41.20.Jb Electromagnetic wave propagation; radiowave propagation
03.50.De Classical electromagnetism, Maxwell equations
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The Casimir Effect: Physical Manifestations of Zero-Point Energy

Kimball A. Milton, Author and S. K. Lamoreaux, Reviewer

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 93

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.30.Vv Book reviews
12.20.-m Quantum electrodynamics

Quantum Mechanics: Concepts and Applications

Nouredine Zettili, Author and Ismail Zahed, Reviewer

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 93

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.30.Vv Book reviews
03.65.-w Quantum mechanics

Evaluating the Measurement Uncertainty: Fundamentals and Practical Guidance

Ignacio Lira, Author and John R. Taylor, Reviewer

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 93

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.30.Vv Book reviews
06.20.Dk Measurement and error theory

Magnetism in Condensed Matter

Stephen Blundell, Author and David Thouless, Reviewer

American Journal of Physics -- January 2003 -- Volume 71, Issue 1, pp. 94

Online Publication Date: Dec 2002

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.30.Vv Book reviews
01.50.-i Educational aids
75.00.00 Magnetic properties and materials
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