Physics 123 (majors section) Resources

Resources for Physics 123 (majors/minors section)

Dr John S. Colton

Handouts and Website Resources

Here are handouts for various class periods, in order of when we will cover them in the semester.

  • Physics-123-Formula-Sheet.pdf (23 Mar 2026 version) - You may print this out and write your own notes on it to bring to Testing Center exams. Note that I have likely missed some equations that would be good to include, so if you notice any equations you think should be added, please let me know and I will consider adding them.
  • Otto-cycle-efficiency.pdf - derivation of the efficiency of the Otto cycle
  • Fourier-analysis.pdf - handout on Fourier series, including the formulas, an example, and derivation of the formulas.
  • notes-and-chords.nb - Mathematica file to play user-defined musical notes and chords
  • Microphone Sound Analyzer - website used in class to do Fourier transform of a sound wave
  • Fourier-series-example.nb - Mathematica file used to determine Fourier coefficients and then plot the Fourier series of a function chosen by students in class
  • dispersion-examples.nb - Mathematica file used to demonstrate the effects of dispersion in class
  • Ray diagrams for mirrors and lenses - PHET website used in class to show ray diagrams for mirrors and lenses

Walk-in Labs

  • These are posted to the class notes section of Max.

Mathematica

  • Here is an intro to Mathematica that I wrote specifically for Physics 123 students: Basic Commands of Mathematica, (It must be opened with Mathematica itself, rather than a text editor.)
  • Here's the website for Physics 230, where you can learn much MUCH more about Mathematica if you'd like: Physics 230.

Exam Study Guides

Past Exams

Here are some old exams for you to use as study aids. I strongly recommend that you attempt to work the problems on the actual exams before looking at my solutions. Caution: the exams don't necessarily have exactly the same coverage as your semester. For example up in 2012 and before I had a few lectures on relativity which I no longer do. Also I didn't necessarily do notes/formula sheets in the same way as I now do them; same comment about multiple choice vs non-multiple choice questions, etc.