Microsoft word - flp_new_millennium_edition_2nd_printing_vol_iii_errata.doc

The Feynman Lectures on Physics Volume III The errors in this list appear in the 2nd printing of The Feynman Lectures on Physics: New Millennium Edition (2011) and earlier printings and editions; these errors have been corrected in the 3rd hardback printing (and in the 2ndt paperback printing) of the New Millennium Edition (2011). Errors are listed in the order of their appearance in the book. Each listing consists of the errant text followed by a brief description of the error, followed by corrected text. Errata for The Feynman Lectures on Physics Global change: ev -> eV, Mev -> MeV
The abbreviation for electron volt has been changed from ‘ev’ to ‘eV’ throughout this volume; it has been changed on the following pages (for the following number of occurrences, if more than one): ev: 2-6(2), 10-3, 10-4, 10-8, 10-11, 14-4(3), 19-13, 19-14, 19-15 Mev: 14-3, 18-13(2), 18-14(4), index Global change: dVol -> dV
The abbreviation for differential volume is dV, except in a few places where "dVol" occurs. For
consistency it will be changed to dV on the following pages (for the following number of
occurrences):
III:4-14, par 1
(Experimentally, it takes 25 volts to ionize helium but only 5 volts to ionize lithium.) Feynman never said this; It was added by the editor (Sands). The voltages referred to are ionization potentials. However, the concept of an ionization potential is not discussed anywhere in FLP, only ionization energies are discussed. So, for example, in III:19 pages 14-15, one finds "The observed ionization energy (to remove one electron) [from Helium] is 24.6 electron volts." and "The ionization energy of lithium is only 5.4 electron volts." For consistency (and to avoid confusion) these ionization potentials should be changed to the equivalent energies: (Experimentally, it takes 25 electron volts to ionize helium but only 5 III:4-15, par 1
The deuteron is, as a matter of fact, bound by an energy of about 2.2 million volts, . Inaccurate statement; "about 2.2 million volts" is not an energy, but an electric potential. The deuteron is, as a matter of fact, bound by an energy of about 2.2 million Errata for The Feynman Lectures on Physics III:12-1, par 3
The four spin states do not all have exactly the same energy; there are slight shifts from the energies we would expect with no spins. The shifts are, however, much, much smaller than the 10 volts or so from the ground state to the next state above. Inaccurate statement; "10 volts" is not an energy, but an electric potential. The four spin states do not all have exactly the same energy; there are slight shifts from the energies we would expect with no spins. The shifts are, however, much, much smaller than the 10 electron volts or so from the ground state to the next state above. III:12-1, par 4
These energy shifts are only about ten-millionths of an electron volt—really very small compared with 10 volts! Comparison of an energy to a potential (which have different dimensions); This could easily confuse a beginner. For consistency "10 volts" should be "10 electron volts." These energy shifts are only about ten-millionths of an electron volt—really very III:16-9, par 2
Interestingly enough, it is possible to prove that for any other form of a a distribution in x or in p, … Double "a". Interestingly enough, it is possible to prove that for any other form of a distribution in x or in p, … III:19-16, par 3
By the time we get to neon the ionization energy is up to 21.6 volts. Inaccurate statement; "21.6 volts" is not an energy, but an electric potential. By the time we get to neon the ionization energy is up to 21.6 electron volts.

Source: http://www.feynmanlectures.info/errata/FLP_New_Millennium_Edition_2nd_printing_Vol_III_Errata.pdf