UVa Physics Qualifying Exam

Alright. We get it. You are freaking out about the qual. The answers to all the problems have been done out a gajillion times by dozens of people in the same building you are in right now. I know you're a stereotypically awkward physics student, but just go introduce yourself to someone who looks in their mid twenties and say you're studying for the qual and want some "reference material."Edit

Good luck and stop Googling qual solutions (go back to looking for Jackson answers).

The University of Virginia Physics PHd Qualifying ExamEdit

All UVa physics PHd candidates must pass the UVa physics qualifier (qual) in order to continue on to receive a PHd. The qualifier covers four basic areas of physics;

1. Classical Mechanics
2. Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics
3. Electricity & Magnetism
4. Quantum Mechanics.

The last two sections are the major sections and are given twice as much weight as the first two.

ScheduleEdit

Traditionally, the qual has been offered at the beginning of the fourth semester (January) after having completed the required course work and again near the end of the fourth semester(April) for those students that did not pass the first time. For 2007 and later the qualifier has been restructured. It is intended that the qualifier will now be administered after the second semester (May) and again before the start of the third semester (August) as a last chance. As part of the transition, the exam will be offered three times during 2007; January, May, and August. The test is split over two days with one day covering Classical and E&M, the other covering Stat. Mech. and Quantum. Each testing day consists of six questions (two from the minor section and four from the major section) and four hours are given to solve the questions.

Problems and SolutionsEdit

Classical MechanicsEdit

Statistical MechanicsEdit

Electricity and MagnetismEdit

Quantum MechanicsEdit