| Instructor: |
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| Course info: Prerequisites: Lectures: Recitation: |
Phys411 (72047), 4 credits PHYS 213, MATH 302 and 314 or instructor's permission. MWF 11:45 to 12:45 pm, NSCI 203. W 4:40 to 5:40 pm, NSCI 207. Access to the Noyes Computer Lab (Rm 101 NSCI) is provided to all students enrolled in a Physics course. Your polar express card lets you in. |
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| Text: | Required text: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, by D.J. Griffiths, Prentice Hall (2nd edition, 2005): Chapters 1-5 Introduction to Electrodynamics, by D.J. Griffiths, Prentice Hall (1999): Chapter 12 |
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Supplementary readings: Quantum Physics, by R. Eisberg and R. Resnick, Wiley (1985) I use this book for the first 2 weeks of class on phenomenological (old) quantum mechanics. (We also use it for nuclear physics in Phys412). This book represents a detailed introduction into modern quantum physics and I highly recommend it but I do not require it. It is available in the library!! Lectures on Quantum mechanics, by G. Baym, Benjamin/Cumings (1973) for further reading, usually at graduate level Quantum Mechanics, by F. Schwabl, Springer (2001) clearly written introduction; good basis for the author's book on advanced quantum mechanics. Special Relativity, by French, Norton (1966) detailed introduction, good information on experiments There are many books on introductory quantum mechanics and relativity in the library that almost all cover the material presented in the lectures. Please explore them to see different approaches to our topics. |
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| Course Content: Tentative course calendar |
The course in (theoretical)
Modern Physics covers physical theories developed in the 20th century.
In Phys411 the mathematical and physical basis of quantum mechanics is
discussed with physical applications following in PHYS412. The work by
Einstein is recognized with a brief introduction in special theory
of relativity. Quantum mechanics: History of quantum mechanics (Planck, Einstein, Compton, de Broglie), Bohr's model, uncertainty principle, time-independent Schroedinger equation, QM in 3 dimensions, angular momentum, spin, Hydrogen-atom. Relativity: Michelson-Morley experiment, Lorenz transformation, Lorenz contraction, time dilation, relativistic kinematics and dynamics. |
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Homework: |
Homework will be assigned
weekly and will be due by 5:00 pm on the following Friday, unless
explicitely altered at the time of assignment. Late homework will
not be accepted. Finished homework should be placed in the
designated box in the main office of the Physics Department. Homework
assignments and solutions will be posted in the glass case in the
Physics Department hallway. |
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| Examinations: | Two one-hour in-term examinations and a two hour final examination will be held during the semester. In-term exams will be held in the classroom. Upon request, an additional class may be scheduled before each exam. The exams will be closed books and closed notes. | ||||||
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Exam 1 (in class) | Friday, Oct 12 | Eisberg: Chapters 1-4 Griffiths: Chapters 1-2 |
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| Exam 2 (in class) | Friday, Nov 16 | Griffiths: Chapters 2-4 | |||||
| Final Exam | Monday, Dec17,10:15am | Griffiths (QM): 1-4, Griffiths (EM): 12 |
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| Grading: | The maximum score for each homework will be 100 points. A solution (homework, exam) that presents nothing more than a restatement of the problem will receive zero credit. Partial credit will be given, with the score of an individual problem ranging between zero and full credit. Credit will be given for clarity of presentation, illegible work will not be graded. For the final grade homework, exams, etc. will be weighted as follows: | ||||||
| Homework: | 40% | To pass the course, you need 50% of the total credits. Grades A - D (using +/-) are assigned equal weight for total credits between 50% and 100% unless otherwise noted | |||||
| Exam 1: | 15% | ||||||
| Exam 2: | 15% | ||||||
| Final Exam: | 30% | ||||||
| Course policies: | Attendance at lectures and recitations is expected. Active class participation, questions, comments on newspaper articles on modern physics are extremely welcome in the lectures and recitation class. A missed exam will receive 0 credit unless the instructor is notified by email, phone, etc before the exam starts. Make-up exams will be individually scheduled with the student. | ||||||
| Student Obligations: Disabilities Services |
As students of UAF, you are bound by
the policies and regulations of the University of Alaska, UAF rules and
procedures, and the Student Honor Code. You are obligated to make
yourselves familiar with all conditions presented in the UAF Catalog. The Office of Disability Services implements the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and insures that UAF students have equal access to the campus and course materials. If you have any kind of dissability, please ensure that you go to the dissabilities services program coordinator. I will work with the office of disabilities services (203 WHIT, 474-7043) to provide reasonable accomodations to students with disabilities. |
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