| Instructor: |
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| Course info: Prerequisites: Lectures: Recitation: |
Phys412 (34745), 4 credits PHYS 411, MATH 302 and 314 or instructor's permission. MWF 11:45 to 12:45 pm, NSCI 204. W 4:40 to 5:40 pm, NSCI 136. 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 5-9 Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos, by S.H. Strogatz, Perseus Publishing (2000): chapters 10, 11 (detailed). other chapters briefly |
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Supplementary readings: Quantum Physics, by R. Eisberg and R. Resnick, Wiley (1985) This book is used for nuclear physics in this course, mainly chapter 15 and 16. 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. There are many books on quantum mechanics 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 |
This course in
(theoretical) Modern Physics covers physical theories developed in the
20th century: Quantum mechanics, Atomic and Nuclear Physics, Nonlinear
Dynamics and Chaos. Quantum mechanics: We discuss applications of the mathematical and physical basis of quantum mechanics that were introduced in Phys411: perturbation theory, H-atom, He-atom, quantum statistics, laser, nuclear properties and nuclear models, and radioactive decay. As a modern "classical physics theory" we discuss complex systems dynamics (also known as dynamical systems theory, nonlinear dynamics and chaos), with particular emphasis on fractals, chaos, sensitivity to initial conditions, and 1-dimensional maps. |
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Homework: |
Homework (10 assignments,
each counting 100pts) 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) | Fri, Feb 29 | Griffiths: Chapters 5-8 | To pass the course, you need 50% of the total credits. Grades A - D (including +/-) are assigned equal weight for total credits between 50% and 100% unless otherwise noted. | |||
| Exam 2 (in class) | Fri, Apr 11 | Griffiths: Chapters 9 Eisberg: Chapters 15-16 |
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| Final Exam | Fri, May 9, 10:15 | Griffiths: 5-9 Eisberg: 15-16 Strogatz: 10-11, TBD |
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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% | This allows you to calculate
"where you stand with respect to your grade" any time during the semester |
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| 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. |
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| Student Obligations: | 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. 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. | ||||||