Quantum Physics

Quantum Physics (QP | SPA4215)

Please consult QMPlus for the authoritative information on this module.

Year: 1 | Semester: B | Level: 4 | Credits: 15

Prerequisites: PHY-121 and PHY-116 or equivalent courses of elementary calculus and special relativity
Lectures: 33 | Ex: 114 115 414 415 Lec: 210 410 411 (notation)
Exam: 2.5 hour written paper (80%), coursework (20%)
Practical work: none | Ancillary teaching: weekly exercises, tutorials

Course organiser: Dr Sanjaye Ramgoolam | Course deputy: Dr Kostya Trachenko

Synopsis:
An introduction to quantal properties in nature, and the theory developed to describe them. Descriptions of the evidence for particle-like properties of waves, and wave-like properties of particles, are followed by a study of their consequences and their formal expression in physical law: topics include Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, Schrodinger's equation and elementary quantum mechanics.
Aims:
The aim of this course is to teach the empirical basis for the early development of the quantum theory of the microscopic world, as well as to give a first conceptual account of the basic quantum phaenomena.
Outcomes:
By the end of this course a student would be expected to: utilise the terms and basic methods of quantum physics; be familiar with the key historical experiments which demonstrated the wavelike-nature of matter and the particle-like nature of electromagnetic radiation; account for interference effects in two-slit diffraction, X-ray scattering and low-energy electron scattering experiments; account for particulate effects in the Compton scattering of X-rays and the photoelectric effect; display familiarity with the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle and its application to simple one-dimensional systems; be able to solve the one dimensional time-independent Schroedinger equation in some simple case; understand the meaning of the quantum numbers that arise in solution of the Schroedinger equation.

Recommended books:

Young, H.D. and Freedman, R.A.
University Physics With Modern Physics
Longman HE (10th edition, 2000)
ISBN 0-201-60336-5

Krane, K.S.
Modern Physics
Wiley, (1995)
ISBN 0-471-82872-6

R.P. Feynman, Robert B. Leighton, Matthew Sands
Lectures on Physics (vol. 3)
Addison Wesley ISBN 0-201-02115-3

Juno Champion

The school holds Juno Champion status, the highest award of this IoP scheme to recognise and reward departments that can demonstrate they have taken action to address the under-representation of women in university physics and to encourage better practice for both women and men.