PY124: Solar System Astronomy
Homework assignments:
READ THIS! It is my view that the point of homework is to provide a student with guidance in his or her approach to the subject, that is to say that homework should help the student understand what the key points are in any particular section of the course, and to think about how these points relate to the overall subject. Rote memorization is NOT learning the subject, students must learn to THINK ABOUT the subject in a way that leads to better understanding of the subject.
There are 2 different sets of homework for this class. First, on separate virtual handouts, are my own homework questions. The answers are posted on line so students can check their work. The problem with these questions is that too many students only give the questions a cursory glance, and then print out the answers and study them. While this is ok, it is not really the right way to learn. When you read the question, and then read the answer, you will say "Of course! I knew that one." But the answer to every question is clear after you already know the answer. It is only by struggling to find the answer yourself that you really come to understand the answer.
So there is also this set of homework questions, drawn from the textbook. These questions are chosen because they will make you think about the material. I will not give you the answers to these questions, but I will be happy to discuss any of them with you, where you can explain your reasoning, and I can steer you back on the main track if you are wandering.
You are thinking "If he won't give us the answers, how do I know if my answer is right?" Ah! That is part of the point. In real science there are no books in which to look up the right answer. If the answer was already known, there would be little reason to do the experiment or take the observation. So you will have to dig through the textbook and lecture notes, and then convince yourself that your answer is correct. That is really the best way to learn.
I don't collect or grade homework, so why should you bother to do it? Because I have chosen the questions that will help you learn the material best. That is the reason for homework, not getting extra points toward your course grade. But you are an adult. If you decide not to take advantage of the help with learning the material that is offered, that is your decision. Students who do all the homework don't get any extra points directly because of the homework, but they do get extra points on the test, because they are better prepared. So I strongly urge you to do both sets of homework.
And remember, I am happy to sit down with you personally or with a small group of your fellow students and discuss these questions.
These questions and problems are at the back of each chapter.
For Test 1:
Textbook:
Universe-
The Solar System, 2nd edition, Freedman & Kaufmann (Freeman
Publishing)
Chapter 1: Review questions (RQ) 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10
Chapter 2: RQ: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 21
Chapter 3: RQ: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 19
Chapter 4: RQ: 5, 11, 20
For Test 2:
Chapter 5: RQ: 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 15, 19, 20
Chapter 6: RQ: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 17, 21, 23
Chapter 7: RQ: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 15, 17, 19
Chapter 8: RQ: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13
Chapter 9: RQ: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18
Chapter 10: RQ: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 11, 13
Chapter 11: RQ: 1, 7, 8, 10, 12, 18
Chapter 12: RQ: 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20, 22
Chapter 13: RQ: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 13, 17, 25, 28
For Test 3:
My homework questions, set 3 (Corrected 10/08)
Chapter 12: RQ: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 18, 19, 20, 27, 32, 34
Chapter 13: RQ: 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 24, 25, 29
Chapter 14: RQ: 1, 5 ,7, 12, 14, 16, 24,
Chapter 15: RQ: 1, 2, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 25, 29, 31
Chapter 16: RQ: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 17, 18, 19
Chapter 8: RQ: 22, 23, 25, 27