Problems are assigned in the required text: Zwiebach, Barton. A First Course in String Theory. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2004. ISBN: 0521831431, and are due during or after the class sessions as noted in the table.
Assignments Table
| Lec # |
problem sets |
| 4 |
Homework 1
Quick Calculations 2.3, 2.5
Problems 2.1 (a) and (c), 2.2 (a), 2.3-2.6 |
| 6 |
Homework 2
Quick Calculations 3.3, 3.6
Problems 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.8, 3.9 |
| 7 |
Homework 3
Problems 4.1, 4.3, 4.6, 5.3-5.6 |
| Four days after lecture 9 |
Homework 4
Problems 5.7, 6.1, 6.3-6.7 |
| Four days after lecture 11 |
Homework 5
Problems 7.1-7.4, 7.7 (PDF)
Problem E.1
An application of problem 7.3
Consider a closed string that at time t=0 has zero velocity and is stretched along the perimeter of a square of side L/4. Choose a convenient set of coordinate axes and describe \vec{F}(u) and \vec{F}'(u). Explain why, at any time, the string is composed by a set of piecewise linear parts. Draw a few sketches showing the shape of the string as it contracts down to zero size. |
| One day after lecture 15 |
Homework 6
Problems 8.1, 8.3, 8.5, 8.6, 9.2-9.4
Problem 8.2 (not assigned) may be illuminating for those puzzled by the differences in the discussion of charges in mechanics and in field theory. |
| One day after lecture 17 |
Homework 7
Problems 10.2, 10.3, 10.6, 11.1, 11.2, 11.6, 11.7
Problem 11.5 (not assigned) is good practice. |
| One day after lecture 19 |
Homework 8
Problems 12.1, 12.3, 12.5-12.8
I think that this homework is considerably shorter and easier than the previous ones. |
| Four days after lecture 20 |
Homework 9
Problems 12.10, 13.1, 13.3, 13.5-13.7, 14.1 |
| Four days after lecture 22 |
Homework 10
Problems 14.1, 14.3, 14.4, 15.1, 15.6, 15.7 |