PHYS203-24S2 (C) Semester Two 2024

Relativistic and Quantum Physics

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 15 July 2024
End Date: Sunday, 10 November 2024
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 28 July 2024
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 29 September 2024

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

Timetable 2024

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 12:00 - 13:00 Jack Erskine 031 Lecture Theatre
15 Jul - 25 Aug
9 Sep - 20 Oct
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 14:00 - 15:00 E16 Lecture Theatre
15 Jul - 25 Aug
9 Sep - 20 Oct
Lecture C
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 09:00 - 10:00 E16 Lecture Theatre
15 Jul - 25 Aug
9 Sep - 20 Oct
Lecture D
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Friday 13:00 - 14:00 E14 Lecture Theatre
12 Aug - 25 Aug
9 Sep - 20 Oct
Drop in Class A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 15:00 - 16:00 Ernest Rutherford 140 (18/7-22/8, 12/9-17/10)
Rehua 005 (5/9)
15 Jul - 25 Aug
2 Sep - 20 Oct
Drop in Class B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 13:00 - 14:00 Rehua 003 Music (13/8)
Rehua 103 Project Workshop (20/8)
12 Aug - 25 Aug
Drop in Class C
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 14:00 - 15:00 Jack Erskine 443
19 Aug - 25 Aug
Tutorial A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Friday 12:00 - 13:00 Rata 222 & 223 Drawing Office
15 Jul - 25 Aug
9 Sep - 20 Oct

Examinations, Quizzes and Formal Tests

Test A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 19:00 - 20:00 E7 Lecture Theatre
19 Aug - 25 Aug

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Jenni Adams

Lecturer

Daniel Sando

Guest Lecturer

Professor Surujhdeo Seunarine (University of Wisconsin - River Falls)

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Tutorial attendance 5%
Final Exam 60%
Homework Assignment 20% Counting the best 9 from 11
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 $978.00

International fee $4,988.00

* 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

  • PHYS203-24S2 (C) Semester Two 2024