Experimental evidence for limitations of classical physics; review of special relativity: quantization of charge, light, and energy; blackbody radiation, photoelectric effect, Compton effect; models of the atom; wavelike properties of particles; the uncertainty principle, the Schrodinger Equation, the infinite and finite square well, the harmonic oscillator, tunneling; the hydrogen atom, orbital angular momentum and electron spin; spin and statistics; selected topics. Prerequisite: one of PHYS 124, PHYS 144, or EN PH 131, and one of PHYS 126, PHYS 146, or PHYS 130. Pre- or Corequisite: MATH 209 or 215 or 317 or MA PH 351 equivalent. Note: Credit may be obtained in only one of PHYS 208 or 271.
| Section | Capacity | Class times | Instructor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LECTURE B01
(13433) |
130 |
2024-01-08 - 2024-04-12 (MWF)
11:00 - 11:50
CAB 243
|
Primary Instructor: Frank Hegmann
|
This course covers the emergence of modern physics through revisions to the Newtonian worldview and the development of quantum mechanics. The course starts with the discovery of the wave nature of light through diffraction and interferometry leading to the observation of lines in atomic spectra. The course then discusses the early experiments that lead to the discovery of the structure of matter and early quantum phenomena including: Rutherford scattering, quantization of charge and energy, Blackbody radiation, Compton scattering, Bohr atom and de Broglie wavelength. This is followed by an introduction to the Schrödinger equation and solutions to 1D problems including: infinite and finite square potential wells, the quantum harmonic oscillator and quantum tunneling, before discussing quantized angular momentum. The course then concludes with a tour of the exciting applications of modern physics in different fields with some possible examples including: semiconductors, superconductors, nuclear decays and reactions, the Standard Model, the Higgs boson, quantum information, supernovae and Black Holes, Dark Matter, the Big Bang and Gravitational Waves. Prerequisite: one of PHYS 124, PHYS 144, or EN PH 131. Corequisites: MA PH 251 or MATH 201 or MATH 334 or MATH 336 and one of MA PH 351 or MATH 209 or 315 or 317, and MATH 102 or 125 or 127.
| Section | Capacity | Class times | Instructor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LECTURE B01
(73001) |
130 |
2025-01-06 - 2025-04-09 (MWF)
11:00 - 11:50
CAB 243
|
|