PHYS203-25S2 (C) Semester Two 2025

Relativistic and Quantum Physics

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 14 July 2025
End Date: Sunday, 9 November 2025
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 27 July 2025
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 28 September 2025

Description

Introduction to relativistic mechanics, including space-time transformations, dynamics and collisions of relativistic particles. Introduction to quantum physics, bringing out its applications, including wave-particle duality, one dimensional barriers and wells, electron spin, electron configuration of atoms, lasers, semiconductors and quantum dots.

Provide a thorough knowledge of relativistic dynamics and its application to various physical
situations. Provide a conceptual understanding of the physical principles of quantum
mechanics, together with the technical understanding for applying these principles to
determine the quantitative properties of physical systems where quantum physics is
applicable.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will:
  • Have mastered space-time transformations for reference frames travelling at
    relativistic speeds.
  • Have mastered techniques to calculate the dynamics of relativistic particles and
    collisions between relativistic particles.
  • Have acquired a conceptual understanding of the principles of quantum
    mechanics and their implications for physical measurements
  • Have mastered the mathematical techniques used to solve the
    Schrodinger equation in simple situations, and quantitively describe
    physical observables in related systems
  • Have developed and be able to demonstrate competency to solve appropriate
    physics problems in the concepts of the course
  • Have developed and be able to demonstrate writing and associated
    communication skills.

Prerequisites

(1) PHYS102 or (PHYS101 and CHEM211); (2) MATH102 or EMTH118 or MATH199. These prerequisites may be replaced by a high level of achievement in level 3 NCEA Physics and Mathematics with Calculus or other background approved by the Head of Department. RP: MATH103 or EMTH119.

Restrictions

PHYS222

Recommended Preparation

Timetable 2025

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 15:00 - 16:00 E9 Lecture Theatre
14 Jul - 24 Aug
8 Sep - 19 Oct
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 10:00 - 11:00 E5 Lecture Theatre
14 Jul - 24 Aug
8 Sep - 19 Oct
Lecture C
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 13:00 - 14:00 E16 Lecture Theatre
14 Jul - 24 Aug
8 Sep - 19 Oct
Drop in Class A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 08:00 - 09:00 Ernest Rutherford 140
14 Jul - 24 Aug
8 Sep - 19 Oct
Tutorial A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 16:00 - 17:00 Ernest Rutherford 140
14 Jul - 24 Aug
8 Sep - 19 Oct

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Jenni Adams

Lecturer

Daniel Sando

Guest Lecturer

Professor Surujhdeo Seunarine (University of Wisconsin - River Falls)

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Final Exam 54%
Homework Assignment 16% 10, counting the best 8 @ 2% each
Test 2 15%
Test One 15%

Textbooks / Resources

Required Texts

Serway, R A; Moses, C J; Moyer, C A; Modern physics ; 3rd; 2005 ((There are two copies on 3-hour loan in the Engineering and Physical Sciences Library.)).

Recommended Reading

French, Anthony P; Special Relativity ; Norton, 1968.

French, Anthony P. and Taylor, Edwin F; An Introduction to Quantum Physics ; W.W. Norton, 1978.

Kittel, Charles et al.,; Mechanics ; 2nd edition; McGraw-Hill, 1973 ((Berkeley Physics Course Vol 1),).

Krane, Kenneth S.,; Modern Physics ; 2nd; J. Wiley & Sons, 1996.

Thornton, Stephen T. and Rex, Andrew; Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers ; 4th; Brooks/Cole, 2012.

(Note: the last two books are very similar to Serway, Moses and Moyer)

Additional Course Outline Information

Academic integrity

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,036.00

International fee $5,188.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Physical & Chemical Sciences .

All PHYS203 Occurrences

  • PHYS203-25S2 (C) Semester Two 2025