PHYS203-17S2 (C) Semester Two 2017

Relativistic and Quantum Physics

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 17 July 2017
End Date: Sunday, 19 November 2017
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 30 July 2017
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 15 October 2017

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. 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

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

David Wiltshire

Lecturer

Chris Gordon

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Final Exam 54%
Homework Assignment 16% 10, counting the best 8 @ 2% each
Test 1 12.5% 11 a.m., Thursday 10 August
Test 2 12.5% 11 a.m., Thursday 21 September
Tutorial attendance 5%

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 $848.00

International fee $3,713.00

* 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

  • PHYS203-17S2 (C) Semester Two 2017
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