DZI Physics and Astronomy study plan
DZI Physics and Astronomy · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Mechanics and Gravitation
Derive the equations of motion for a particle under constant and velocity-dependent forces, and solve for position and velocity as functions of time.
Apply Newton's laws and conservation of momentum to analyze collisions and variable-mass systems.
Compute gravitational forces and potentials for extended bodies using integration and the shell theorem.
Solve problems involving Kepler's laws and orbital energy for two-body systems.
Your checkpoint
Complete a timed 10-problem mechanics set (covering kinematics, forces, momentum, and gravitation) with at least 80% accuracy, and write a one-page error log identifying conceptual gaps.
Mechanics and Gravitation
Formulate and solve problems using Lagrangian mechanics for simple systems (pendulum, bead on a wire, Atwood machine).
Analyze rigid-body rotation by computing moments of inertia and applying torque and angular momentum conservation.
Solve for normal modes and frequencies of coupled oscillators and small oscillations about equilibrium.
Derive the rocket equation and apply it to multi-stage launch scenarios.
Your checkpoint
Produce a 5-page summary sheet of key formulas and solution strategies for rigid-body dynamics and Lagrangian mechanics, and verify it by solving 5 new problems without notes.
Electricity and Magnetism
Apply Gauss's law to compute electric fields for symmetric charge distributions (sphere, cylinder, plane).
Solve for currents and voltages in DC circuits using Kirchhoff's laws and superposition.
Calculate magnetic fields from steady currents using Biot-Savart and Ampere's laws.
Determine the motion of charged particles in uniform electric and magnetic fields.
Your checkpoint
Build a concept map linking electrostatics, magnetostatics, and circuit laws, and solve a 10-problem mixed E&M set with at least 75% accuracy.
Electricity and Magnetism & Quantum Mechanics and Atomic Physics
Derive and apply Faraday's law and the displacement current to simple time-varying systems.
Solve the Schrodinger equation for the infinite square well and the harmonic oscillator, and interpret the wavefunctions.
Compute expectation values and uncertainties for position and momentum in simple quantum states.
Explain the photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, and wave-particle duality using quantitative examples.
Your checkpoint
Create a 10-question self-test covering E&M induction and introductory quantum mechanics, score it, and review all incorrect answers with corrected solutions.
Quantum Mechanics and Atomic Physics
Solve for the hydrogen atom wavefunctions and energy levels using the Schrodinger equation in spherical coordinates.
Apply angular momentum operators and addition of angular momentum to determine quantum numbers and selection rules.
Use perturbation theory to estimate energy shifts for a simple anharmonic oscillator and the Stark effect.
Explain the Pauli exclusion principle and construct ground-state electron configurations for multi-electron atoms.
Your checkpoint
Write a 5-page study guide on atomic structure and quantum numbers, including worked examples for hydrogen and helium, and solve 5 past-exam-style problems on atomic physics.
Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics & Waves, Optics, and Acoustics
Apply the first and second laws of thermodynamics to ideal-gas processes and compute entropy changes.
Derive the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution and use it to compute average speeds and collision rates.
Analyze wave propagation, superposition, and standing waves in strings and pipes, and solve for resonance frequencies.
Apply geometric optics to lenses and mirrors, and solve interference and diffraction problems using phasors.
Your checkpoint
Design a 1-page formula sheet for thermodynamics and waves/optics, then solve a 10-problem mixed set from these domains with at least 80% accuracy.
Relativity and Modern Physics & Astrophysics and Stellar Structure
Apply Lorentz transformations to solve problems in relativistic kinematics, including time dilation and length contraction.
Compute relativistic energy and momentum, and analyze simple collisions and decays.
Derive the equations of stellar structure (hydrostatic equilibrium, mass continuity, energy transport) and estimate scaling relations.
Interpret the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and explain stellar evolution pathways for different initial masses.
Your checkpoint
Create a 1-page comparison table of special relativity effects and a 1-page summary of stellar evolution stages, then solve 5 problems on each topic with at least 75% accuracy.
Cosmology and Galactic Astronomy & Experimental Methods, Data Analysis, and Measurement
Apply Hubble's law and the Friedmann equations to compute distances and ages in a flat universe.
Explain the evidence for dark matter and dark energy, and interpret galactic rotation curves and the cosmic microwave background.
Design an experiment to measure a physical quantity, including error propagation and uncertainty analysis.
Analyze a dataset using least-squares fitting and hypothesis testing, and interpret the results.
Your checkpoint
Complete a full-length 30-question practice exam covering all domains under timed conditions, score it, and write a one-page analysis of strengths and remaining gaps with a revision plan.
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 80% on a 10-problem mechanics quiz (kinematics, forces, momentum, gravitation, rigid bodies) and correctly explain the solution to one Lagrangian problem from scratch.
Week 4: Achieve at least 75% on a 15-problem mixed E&M and quantum quiz, and correctly derive the infinite square well energies and wavefunctions without notes.
Week 6: Complete a 20-problem mixed set covering quantum, thermodynamics, and waves/optics with at least 80% accuracy, and submit a corrected error log.
Week 8: Score at least 70% on the full-length practice exam and produce a final revision plan targeting the three weakest domains.