Physics 321 Introduction to Modern Physics

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1 Physics 321 Introduction to Modern Physics Instructor: Gordon Emslie, Office TCCW 229, Class Meetings: TR 12:45-2:05 PM, TCCW 236 Office Hours: by appointment Prerequisite(s): CHEM 120/CHEM 121 and MATH 237. Text: Paul A. Tipler & Ralph A. Llewellyn, Modern Physics 6 th Edition Freeman; New York, Course Description PHY 321 introduces the basic concepts of modern physics, namely relativity and quantum mechanics, allowing application to a variety of topics, from solid-state physics (transistors and electronics) to nuclear physics, particle physics and astrophysics. The course will emphasize rigorous approaches to problem-solving and ensure a firm grasp of the underlying principles and their philosophical and practical significances. Learning Objectives 1. Demonstrate an understanding the underlying principles of modern physics 2. Apply these principles to solve both illustrative conceptual, and real-world, problems 3. Explain the significance of modern physics, both for contemporary society and for its philosophical underpinnings Homework (20%) Homework will be assigned from the text. As a general rule homework solutions will not be posted. The burden is on you to make sure you find out how to solve the problems, in collaboration with others if necessary. You should keep your written solutions for discussion in class. Examinations 15% each plus final at 35%) Exams will consist of both conceptual questions and problems (similar to homework), and may be take-home or in-class. Everyone is expected to take exams during the regularly scheduled exam periods with the rest of the class. As a general rule, makeup examinations will NOT be given. If there are extraordinary, documented circumstances that lead to an inability to be present at a scheduled test, then, if the instructor is satisfied with the nature of the circumstances, the grade for the missed assignment may be rolled into the value of another test. For 1

2 example, if a test is worth 15 points, and appropriate documentation is provided and accepted, then the test will be excluded from the overall grade consideration, and the value of the other tests will be increased to 45 (2 x 22.5) points. At most one test absence may be excused in this manner. The final will consist of a student presentation based on a project assigned by the instructor, conducted by the student and discussed in class. Non- No cell phone usage will be permitted in in-class examinations. programmable electronic calculators are permitted. Grading Your grade for the course will be based on your performance on the homework, quizzes and examinations. The weights assigned to the homework and exams are as follows: Attendance Homework 20% Exam 1 15% Exam 2 15% Exam 3 15% Final Exam 35% Total Score Grade A B C D < 59 F Regular and punctual attendance is expected of everyone during every class meeting. Class time will be spent doing activities that are designed to help you understand the material we are studying, not to simply transpose material from the text to the board to your notes. If you miss class then you are seriously jeopardizing your chances of success. Drop/Audit Policies Due to the nature of this course, students will not be allowed to audit PHYS 321. If you choose to not complete the course for a grade then your only option is to drop the course and receive a grade of W by the University deadline for dropping a course. 2

3 Student Disability Services In compliance with university policy, students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services in Room 1074 of the Downing Student Union. Please DO NOT request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a letter of accommodation from the Office for Student Disability Services. Academic Dishonesty Academic dishonesty (including plagiarism, test-sharing, etc.) will not be tolerated. According to the WKU Student Handbook: Students who commit any act of academic dishonesty may receive from the instructor a failing grade in that portion of the course work in which the act is detected, or a failing grade in a course without possibility of withdrawal. The faculty member may also present the case to the Office of Student Conduct for disciplinary action." (My emphasis.) Do not test me on this one. Additional Classroom Policies Food and drinks are NOT allowed in the classroom. Cell phones and similar devices MUST be silenced and stored away during class time. Safety and Evacuation A review of safety and evacuation procedures include exit from the room during an active alarm. Normally we will exit to the main stairwell and the front of the building moving to the sidewalk. Do not attempt to use the elevators. 3

4 Course Calendar (This is for general guidance only; the actual schedule of topics may differ somewhat) Week Day Date Topic Chapter 1 T January 24 Course overview, relativistic kinematics 1 R January 26 Relativistic kinematics 2 T January 31 Relativistic kinematics/dynamics 2 R February 2 Relativistic dynamics 3 T February 7 Blackbody radiation; Planck s hypothesis, the photoelectric 3 effect R February 9 The Bohr model of the atom; atomic energy levels 4 4 T February 14 Matter waves; the de Broglie hypothesis; wave packets; the 5 Uncertainty Principle R February 16 The Schrodinger equation; wave functions 6 5 T February 21 Infinite square wells; states and energy levels R February 23 Finite square wells, parity 6 T February 28 Barrier potentials; tunneling R March 2 The simple harmonic oscillator; raising and lowering operators 7 T March 7 The delta-function potential R March 9 Spare Day 8 T March 14 SPRING BREAK no class R March 16 SPRING BREAK no class 9 T March 21 The 3-D Schrodinger equation; the hydrogen atom 7 R March 23 Angular momentum 10 T March 28 The radial equation, quantum numbers R March 30 Spin, the Pauli exclusion principle and the Periodic Table 11 T April 4 The Maxwellian distribution, partition functions 8 R April 6 Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics 12 T April 11 Crystal structures, free-electron gas in metals 10 R April 13 The Kronig-Penney model, band theory 13 T April 18 Effective mass, valence and conduction bands R April 20 Semiconductors, transistors 14 T April 25 Nuclear physics - The liquid drop and shell models 11 R April 27 Radioactive decay, fission and fusion 15 T May 2 FINALS PREP R May 4 FINALS PREP Final Exam May 11, 10:30 12:30 4

5 Homework Assignments Chapter , 1-15, 1-18, 1-23, 1-27, 1-34, 1-46 Chapter 2 2-3, 2-7, 2-11, 2-12, 2-50 Chapter , 3-15, 3-38, 3-43 Chapter 4 4-1, 4-4, 4-14, 4-22 Chapter 5 5-2, 5-6, 5-17, 5-24 Chapter 6 6-5, 6-10, 6-11, 6-25, 6-29, 6-30, 6-31, 6-33, 6-41, 6-46 Chapter 7 7-2, 7-9, 7-10, 7-13, 7-22, 7-27, 7-34, 7-36, 7-39, 7-55 Chapter 8 8-2, 8-11, 8-15, 8-17, 8-21 Chapter , 10-16, 10-23, 10-27, 10-28, 10-31, 10-33, Chapter , 11-6, 11-7, 11-16, 11-22, 11-24, 11-34, 11-35, 11-38, 11-49, 11-59, 11-64,

STATISTICAL AND THERMAL PHYSICS

Phys 362 Spring 2015 STATISTICAL AND THERMAL PHYSICS Phys 362 Spring 2015 Instructor: Office: Professor David Collins WS 228B Phone: 248-1787 email: Office Hours: dacollin@coloradomesa.edu M 9 10 am, 11