PHYS 2081 - Modern Physics

Credits: 4
Hours/Week: Lecture None Lab None
Course Description: Modern physics is the study of physics since the turn of the twentieth century. The two great theories of twentieth century physics are Einstein’s Theory of Relativity and the Quantum Theory. The emphasis of this course will be on giving students a thorough understanding of these two complex topics as well as helping students gain an understanding of how these two theories apply to atomic and molecular structure and to condensed matter physics. Other topics such as nuclear physics, elementary particles physics, or astrophysics may also be covered.
MnTC Goals
None

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 1082  and MATH 1082  
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: None

Major Content

1. Quantum Mechanics
   1. Quantization of Physical Properties
   2. The Nuclear Atom
      1. Atomic Spectra
      2. Rutherford’s Atomic Model
      3. Bohr’s Atomic Model
   3. Wavelike Properties of Particles
      1. de Broglie Hypothesis
      2. Particle Wavefunction
      3. Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Relation
   4. The Schrödinger Wave Equation
      1. Potential Wells
      2. Reflection/Transmission of Quanta.
2. Relativity
   1. Special Relativity
      1. The Michelson-Morley Experiment
      2. Principles of Relativity
      3. Time Dilation/Length Contraction
      4. Relativistic Mechanics
   2. General Relativity*
      1. Principle of Equivalence
      2. Space-Time Curvature
3. Applications of Quantum Mechanical Principles
   1. Atomic Physics
      1. Hydrogen Atom
      2. Electron Spin
      3. Pauli Exclusion Principle
   2. Molecular Physics
      1. Bonds
      2. Diatomic Energy Levels
      3. Physics of Lasers 
   3. Condensed Matter Physics
      1. Structure of Solids
      2. Theory of Conduction
      3. Band Theory and Semiconductors
      4. Superconductivity
4. Possible Advanced Topics*
   1. Nuclear Physics
      1. Stability
      2. Radioactivity
      3. Nuclear Models
      4. Nuclear Reactions
   2. Elementary Particle Physics
      1. Antimatter
      2. Fundamental Interactions
      3. The Standard Model
   3. Astrophysics
      1. Stellar Physics
      2. Galactic Models
      3. Cosmology

(*) Denotes a topic or set of topics that will be covered at the instructor’s option.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course students will be able to:

1. solve relativistic kinematics problems.
2. solve problems in the quantum realm in terms of the probabilistic quantum mechanical paradigm as opposed to the deterministic Newtonian paradigm.
3. explain atomic spectra in terms of the basic tenets of quantum mechanics and the Bohr theory of the atom.
4. apply quantum mechanical principles to detailed problems in atomic physics, molecular structure, and condensed matter physics.
5. determine the realm of applicability of the classical physics theyve learned in previous courses.
6. solve increasingly challenging problems as they further hone the problem-solving skills that they developed in the previous two semesters of classical physics.

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