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Physics 416: WarmUp Exercises

...External parameters

This assignment is due before 10 AM, Friday, February 4th, 2000.

Please type LAST name:

Please type your LAST NAME and LAST FOUR SS# digits (eg: Smith3256):

I received no help from anyone on this assignment.

The following questions refer to the material you were to read in preparation to the lesson. Each question requires you to write a paragraph or two in response.

You may change your mind as often as you wish. When you are satisfied with your responses, click the "Submit WarmUp" button at the bottom of this page.




1.


The temperatures must be equal for two systems to be in thermal equilibrium. What must be equal for two systems to be in mechanical equilibrium? You are welcome to do this in terms of an example, e.g., two people pushing each other, ideal gases separated by a boundary, springs welded together, etc.



2.

Let's try this square business again, and I'll try to be more clear. A square has area L2. What percentage of this area is close to the boundary of the square (that is, say, within L/20 of an edge). Do the same for a cube, that is, what percentage of its volume is within L/20 of a surface? Can you continue to do this for higher dmensions? Try to derive a formula (at least an approximate one) to calculate a percentage of the "hypervolume" of dimension N that is within L/20 of the "hypersurface" of dimension N-1.





Below is a space for your thoughts, including general comments about today's assignment. What was hard or confusing (or cool)? What would you like to spend extra time on in class? Do you see how this subject fits in with the others we have discussed?




You may change your mind as often as you wish. When you are satisfied with your responses click the SUBMIT button.

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