Modern Physics -- PHY 456
Syllabus -- Spring 2009



       

 

Professor:

 

Dr. Jose' D'Arruda
Office: sci-3225
Office hrs:wednesday 6pm.;
E-mail: jose@nat.uncp.edu
Phone: 521-6423(office)

  Text: Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 2nd ed., by Thornton and Rex  

Contact the Authors

First Edition, Third Printing Errata
Second Edition Errata

Look here for some important physics results
published since the publication of our second

edition.

Saunders College Publishing also has a

homepage for this book.
  Supplement:    
  Lectures: MF at 10    
  Laboratory:    
  Course Home Page: l    


More Pictures of Albert Einstein


   

 

Welcome!

In this course we will study the two "cornerstones" of Modern Physics: Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. We begin by examining Einstein's theory of Special Relativity, which has revolutionized how we think about space and time. We will see that two very simple postulates have led to some very profound conclusions. We then turn to an examination of the Quantum Theory, in which the "classical" notions of "particles" and "waves" are blurred. Again we will see that new theoretical ideas and experimental data forced a complete re-examination of many of our dearly-held beliefs. In the final part of the course we will apply the techniques of Quantum Mechanics to the study of sub-atomic systems.

 

Goals of the Course:

By the end of the course students should:

  • be able to explain the experimental and theoretical situation at the turn of the century which eventually led to the downfall of "classical" physics in favour of Special Relativity and Quantum Mechanics.

  • have a basic qualitative understanding of relativistic and quantum mechanical phenomena.

  • be technically proficient at using relativistic and quantum mechanical techniques in order to solve various standard problems.

 

Physics 256 Home Page: http://www.uncp.edu/home/jose/phy256sly.htm

The homepage for this course may be checked for information regarding due dates for homework assignments and lab reports, updated test dates, etc.

Interesting Links


Periodic Table

Another Periodic Table

Periodic Table Three

Hydrogenic Atom Wave Functions

Relativity and FTL Travel

The Optics of Spectroscopy

Chart of the Nuclides

The Particle Adventure

Gabon natural nuclear reactor

Radioactive Decay Sequences




 

Time permitting, we will cover the topics outlined below:

Course Outline:

  • Special Relativity
    • Einstein's Postulates
    • Lorentz Transformation
    • Time Dilation and Length Contraction
    • Addition of Velocities
    • Twin Paradox and Spacetime
    • Relativistic Dynamics
  • Experimental Basis of Quantum Mechanics
  • Structure of the Atom
  • Wave Properties of Matter
    • Wave Function and Probability
    • Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle
  • Quantum Mechanics
    • The Schroedinger Equation
    • Expectation Values
    • Simple Potential Problems
    • Tunneling
  • The Hydrogen Atom
  • Many-Electron Atoms
  • Statistical Physics
  • General Relativity
Click here for a graph of gamma vs. beta

 

Grade Determination:

  • Hour exam--50%
  • Homework Problems and Quizzes -- 25%
  • Final Exam (comprehensive) -- 25%

 

Grading Scale:

 

A

93.3 - 100

A-

90.0 - 93.3

B+

86.7 - 90.0

B

83.3 - 86.7

B-

80.0 - 83.3

C+

76.7 - 80.0

C

73.3 - 76.7

C-

70.0 - 73.3

D+

66.7 - 70.0

D

63.3 - 66.7

D-

60.0 - 63.3

 

Homework:

Homework will be assigned once or twice a week in this course and will generally be due two or three class periods after it is assigned . Homework is due by 5:00 p.m. on the due date.
Homework schedule:

Due Sept 18: Problems Chapter 2: 4,14,20,27,32,44,51,55,66

Due Sept 25: Problems Chapter 3: 2,7,9,15,22,29,35,39,43,47

Chapter 4: 2,7,16,23,33,38,45

Due Oct 4: Problems Chapter 5: 3,6,17,21,29,33,35

Chapter



Late Homework:

Late homework will be penalized as follows:

  • Received one day late (by 5 p.m.): 30% off.
  • Received two days late (by 5 p.m.): 60% off.

Late homework will not be accepted after two days.

Quizzes:

Quizzes may be given periodically throughout the semester. They will be announced at least one class in advance.

Laboratory:

The following is a tentative list of labs for this course:

  1. Muon Decay Film
  2. Special Relativity Computer Simulations
  3. Speed of Light Experiment
  4. Top Quark Decay & Error Propagation
  5. e/m Experiment
  6. Bubble Chamber Photographs
  7. Millikan's Oil Drop Experiment (2 weeks)
  8. Photoelectric Effect Experiment
  9. Bragg Scattering with Microwaves
  10. Quantum Mechanics Computer Simulations
  11. Spectral Studies Experiment

The tentative dates for these are as follows:

  • Exam #1 --Sept. 22 2000 Chapters 1,2
  • Exam #2 --Oct 27, 2000 Chapters3,4,5,6,7
  • Exam #3 --Nov 17, 2000 Chapters 8,9,10,11,12

Final Exam: Chapters 1-12,14-16

The final exam will be comprehensive. Please check the exam schedule for the date and time.

Attendance:

Students are allowed three unexcused absences for a three-credit course. In cases in which this limit is exceeded, students may expect their final grade to be decreased. Please get in touch with me if you have a valid reason for being absent. Attendance at Exams, Quizzes and Labs is mandatory unless you have made prior arrangements with me.

Academic Dishonesty:

The university has a clear policy on academic dishonesty. Quoting from the catalog: "Any act that involves misrepresentation regarding the student's academic work...is forbidden." Assigned homework in this class is to be written up individually by each student. Students may work together on assigned homework problems, but the solutions themselves must be written up individually. In particular, students may not show their completed assignments to classmates. Students found in violation of the academic dishonesty policy will suffer a reduction in their grade and will be reported to the Office of Academic Affairs.


Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1 - One Hundred Years Ago

1.1 Classical Physics of the 1890s
1.2 The Kinetic Theory of Gases
1.3 Waves and Particles
1.4 Conservation Laws and Fundamental Forces
1.5 The Atomic Theory of Matter
1.6 Outstanding Problems of 1895 and New Horizons
Summary
CHAPTER 2 - Special Theory of Relativity
2.1 Historical Perspective
2.2 The Michelson-Morley Experiment
2.3 Einstein's Postulates
2.4 The Lorentz Transformation
2.5 Time Dilation and Length Contraction
2.6 Addition of Velocities
2.7 Experimental Verification
2.8 Twin Paradox
2.9 Spacetime
2.10 Doppler Effect
Special Topic: Applications of the Doppler Effect
2.11 Relativistic Momentum
2.12 Relativistic Energy
2.13 Computations in Modern Physics
2.14 Electromagnetism and Relativity
Summary
Questions
Problems
CHAPTER 3 - The Experimental Basis of Quantum Theory
3.1 Discovery of the X Ray and the Electron
3.2 Determination of Electron Charge
3.3 Line Spectra
Special Topic: The Discovery of Helium
3.4 Quantization
3.5 Blackbody Radiation
3.6 Photoelectric Effect
3.7 X-Ray Production
3.8 Compton Effect
3.9 Pair Production and Annihilation
Summary
Questions
Problems
CHAPTER 4 - Structure of the Atom
4.1 The Atomic Models of Thomson and Rutherford
4.2 Rutherford Scattering
Special Topic: Lord Rutherford of Nelson
4.3 The Classical Atomic Model
4.4 Bohr Model of the Hydrogen Atom
4.5 Successes and Failures of the Bohr Model
4.6 Characteristic X-Ray Spectra and Atomic Number
4.7 Atomic Excitation by Electrons
Summary
Questions
Problems
CHAPTER 5 - Wave Properties of Matter
5.1 X-Ray Scattering
5.2 De Broglie Waves
Special Topic: Cavendish Laboratory
5.3 Electron Scattering
5.4 Wave Motion
5.5 Waves or Particles?
5.6 Relationship Between Probability and Wave Function
5.7 Uncertainty Principle
Summary
Questions
Problems
CHAPTER 6 - The Quantum Theory
6.1 The Schrödinger Wave Equation
6.2 Expectation Values
6.3 Infinite Square Well Potential
6.4 Finite Square Well Potential
6.5 Three-Dimensional Infinite Potential Well
6.6 Simple Harmonic Oscillator
6.7 Barriers and Tunneling
6.8 Special Topic: Scanning Probe Microscopes
Summary
Questions
Problems
CHAPTER 7 - The Hydrogen Atom
7.1 Application of the Schrödinger Equation to the Hydrogen
Atom
7.2 Solution of the Schrödinger Equation for Hydrogen
7.3 Quantum Numbers
7.4 Special Topic: Rydberg Atoms
7.5 Magnetic Effects on Atomic Spectra--The Normal
Zeeman Effect
7.6 Intrinsic Spin
7.7 Energy Levels and Electron Possibilities
Summary
Questions
Problems
CHAPTER 8 - Many-Electron Atoms
8.1 Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
8.2 Total Angular Momentum
8.3 Anomalous Zeeman Effect
Summary
Questions
Problems
CHAPTER 9 - Statistical Physics
9.1 Historical Overview
9.2 Maxwell Velocity Distribution
9.3 Equipartition Theorem
9.4 Maxwell Speed Distribution
9.5 Classical and Quantum Statistics
9.6 Fermi-Dirac Statistics
9.7 Bose-Einstein Statistics
9.8 Special Topic: Superfluid 3He
Summary
Questions
Problems
CHAPTER 10 - Molecules and Solids
10.1 Molecular Bonding and Spectra
10.2 Stimulated Emission and Lasers
10.3 Structural Properties of Solids
10.4 Thermal and Magnetic Properties of Solids
10.5 Superconductivity
10.6 Special Topic: Low-Temperature Methods
Applications of Superconductivity
Summary
Questions
Problems
CHAPTER 11 - Semiconductor Theory and Devices
11.1 Band Theory of Solids
11.2 Semiconductor Theory
Special Topic: The Quantum Hall Effect
11.3 Semiconductor Devices
Summary
Questions
Problems
CHAPTER 12 - The Atomic Nucleus
12.1 Discovery of the Neutron
12.2 Nuclear Properties
12.3 The Deuteron
12.4 Nuclear Forces
12.5 Nuclear Stability
12.6 Radioactive Decay
12.7 Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Decay
Special Topic: Neutrino Detection
12.8 Radioactive Nuclides
Summary
Questions
Problems
CHAPTER 13 - Nuclear Interactions and Applications
13.1 Nuclear Reactions
13.2 Reaction Kinematics
13.3 Reaction Mechanisms
13.4 Fission
13.5 Fission Reactors
Special Topic: Early Fission Reactors
13.6 Fusion
13.7 Special Applications
Special Topic: How to Prove an Art Forgery
Special Topic: The Search for New Elements
Summary
Questions
Problems
CHAPTER 14 - Elementary Particles
14.1 The Early Beginnings
14.2 The Fundamental Interactions
14.3 Classification of Elementary Particles
14.4 Conservation Laws and Symmetries
14.5 Quarks
14.6 The Families of Matter
14.7 The Standard Model and GUTs
14.8 Accelerators
Special Topic: Experimental Ingenuity
Summary
Questions
Problems
CHAPTER 15 - General Relativity
15.1 Principle of Equivalence
15.2 Tests of General Relativity
15.3 Gravitational Waves
15.4 Black Holes
Special Topic:Gravitational Waves
15.5 Frame Dragging
Summary
Questions
Problems
CHAPTER 16 - Cosmology--The Beginning and the End
16.1 Evidence of the Big Bang
16.2 The Big Bang
16.3 Stellar Evolution
Special Topic: Plancks Time, Length, and Mass
16.4 Astronomical Objects
16.5 Problems with the Big Bang
16.6 The Age of the Universe
Special Topic: Future Space Telescopes
16.7 The Future
Summary
Questions
Problems
Appendix 1: Fundamental Constants
Appendix 2: Conversion Factors
Appendix 3: Mathematical Relations
Appendix 4: Periodic Table of the Elements
Appendix 5: Mean Values and Distributions
Appendix 6: Probability Integrals
Appendix 7: Integrals of the Type
Appendix 8: Atomic Mass Table
Appendix 9: Nobel Laureates in Physics


Additional Reading and Physics 256 In The News

Time Magazine, Dec 31, 1999, p 66: Excellent article on relativity by Stephen Hawking

Science News, Jan 8, 2000, p 26: Excellent article about gravity wave detection using a two-arm interferometer
similar to that used in the Michelson-Morley experiment

If you are interested in more information about relativity than the text provides, a good place to start is `Space-Time
Physics' by Taylor and Wheeler. This is an advanced introductory text which completely explains special relativity,
including its interesting mathematical features.


 

Encouragement:

I am here to help! If you have a question, please stop by my office during my office hours. You may also make an appointment to see me at other times if you cannot make it during my office hours.




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