Reading Assignments
Besides the readings assigned below from the two textbooks (TB1 and
TB2), it maybe helpful to consult info in the web in general and in those
given by Chau on the class web and in the library; although tests are
limited to lectures, HWs, and reading assignments listed below. The part
of the reading assignments that is not discussed in lectures nor
asked about in HWs will constitute up to about 30% of the test questions.
Reading assignments of TB1, according to subjects (which will
be covered about one per week, approximately following the order listed
below).
Week-1 (1/8 - 1/15)
· Powers of 10, Significant
Figures, and Units; Read p.A-4 to A-12, Appendix
of TB1.
· Our Place in the Universe; Read
p.2-25, Chpt 1 of TB1.
Week-2 (1/15-1/22)
· The Science of Astronomy; Read
p.56-85, Chpt 3 of TB1.
· A Universe of Matter and Energy
; Read p.114-128, Chpt 4 of TB1.
Week-3 (1/22-1/29)
· The Universal Laws of Motion;
Read p.129-151, Chpt 5 of TB1.
Week-4 (1/29-2/5 )
· Light: The Cosmic Messenger;
Read p.152-171, Chpt 6 of TB1.
Week-5 (2/5 -2/12)
· Space and Time; Read p.432-452,
S2 of TB1.
Week-6 (2/12-2/19)
· Spacetime and Gravity; Read p.453-476,
S3 of TB1.
Week-7 (2/19-2/26)
· Building Blocks of the Universe;
Read p.476-493, S4 of TB1.
Week-8 (2/26-3/4 )
· Partial Our Star;
Read p.496-508 & summary pages (i.e., 15.1 to 15.3 and summary pages
of TB1).
· Fig. 7.20 on p.186 and its
explanations; Fig. 11.8 on p. 304 and its explanations.
Week-9 (3/4 -3/11 )
· Properties of Stars,
& Cosmic Distance and Age, Read Chpt 16, p.521-542;
and part of Chapt 20, p. 632 -648, of TB1.
· Fig. 17.26 & its
explanations.
Week-10 (3/11-3/16)
· Chapters 22 & 23, with emphasis on
the following.
· · Figs. 22.9; 22.10; 22.12;
22.17; 22.18 & their explanations.
· · Figs. 23.2; 23.4; 23.7;
23.8; 23.16; & their explanations.
·
· Homework 10: the Addenda and multiple choice problems
on Chapters 22 & 23
Reading assignments of TB2, according to weeks (Weeks are numbered
from Thursday to Thursday. Lectures, HW's, & reading assignments
all fall in that cycle.)
Week-2 (1/15-1/22), read from starting page to p.xv and p.3-p.20
of Prefaces and Chpt 1 of TB2;
Week-3 (1/22-1/29), read p.23 - p.67 , Chpt 2 and part of
Chpt 3 of TB2;
Week-4 (1/29-2/5 ), read p.67 -p.116, part of Chpt 3 and Chpt
4 of TB2;
Week-5 (2/5 -2/12), read p.117-p.165, Chpt 5 and Chpt 6 of
TB2;
Week-6 (2/12-2/19), read p.166-p.209, Chpt 7 and Chpt 8 of
TB2;
Week-7 (2/19-2/26), read p.210-p.262, Chpt 9 and Chpt 10 of
TB2;
Week-8 (2/26-3/4 ), read p.263-p.282, Chpt 11 of TB2;
Week-9 (3/4 -3/11), read p.345-p.370, Chpt 14 of TB2;
Week-10 (3/11-3/16), read p. 373 -p. 387, Chpt 15 of TB2, with emphasis
on those items mentioned in HW10, multiple choice problem 21.
(We skip Chapters 12 and 13.)
* As always, when read a book remember to read footnotes,
Glossary, reference list, and Index.