Modern Physics I

PHY 305 --- Fall 2005 Syllabus

Physics Department --- Mercer University

 

This course is the first in the two-semester sequence PHY 305/306 Modern Physics I/II, which introduces the student to the main developments of twentieth-century physics. It is intended primarily for physics majors, but should be of interest also to many other students, especially those majoring in math, computer science, chemistry, and engineering. Prerequisite is the two-semester calculus-based introductory physics sequence PHY 161/162 General Physics I/II and a year of calculus, such as MAT 191/192 Calculus I/II, or their equivalent. This first semester will concentrate on the basics of quantum mechanics, including applications to atoms, molecules and statistical ensembles; some of the supplementary readings will also involve relativity, gravity and cosmology

 

The primary goal of this course is for students to develop conceptual understanding of these topics rather than detailed knowledge, which they can gain in more advanced courses. The secondary goal is for students to learn the rudiments of the mathematics of quantum physics. By mastering the material in the main text, students will be able to describe the basic experimental results that led to the quantum revolution; to perform calculations concerning the wave-particle behavior of matter and radiation; to understand and explain basic concepts like Heisenberg's uncertainty principle and quantum probability; to apply the Schroedinger equation to simple systems like the hydrogen atom and potential wells; to manipulate atomic wavefunctions in order to describe the electronic orbitals of many-electron atoms and molecules; and to perform simple statistical physics calculations. Writing essays based on the supplementary text will bring students conceptual understanding, and the ability to explain and discuss special relativity, general relativity and cosmology, and the more challenging and picturesque aspects of quantum theory.

 

Lectures: During most class meetings there will be some conventional lectures. We will also discuss the material and go over problems in the text, including homework.

 

Homework: For each covered chapter of the main text the instructor will assign a set of homework problems to be worked by the students and handed in for grading. Students are encouraged to collaborate on these; however, each must hand in their own separate paper. After the papers are collected, a solution sheet will be provided. Altogether, the homework will count for 45% of the total grade.

 

Take-home Tests: There will be three of these, containing primarily numerical problems and derivations, but also some conceptual questions. The only resources allowed each student for these are the text, class notes and the instructor. Altogether, the take-home tests will count for 25% of the total grade.

 

Gamow Essays: Certain days (6 in all) will be primarily devoted to discussion of the material from the secondary text. On the previous class day, the students will hand in a short essay (~500 words) on the reading material. On the Gamow essay day, these will be presented to the class by them, and in part will form the basis for discussion. The six essays together will count for 15% of the total grade.

 

Final Exam: This will take place on Friday 12/9 at 7-10pm. It will be mostly qualitative and open-book, will cover all the material from the main text, and will count for 15% of the total grade.

 

Grading: The percentage for each activity is shown in the left table below. To convert the total percent to a letter grade, use the scale shown in the right table below.

 

# total % Homework sets 8 45 Tests 3 25 Essays 6 15 Final Exam 1 15     Total: 100

GP % A 4.0 90-100 B+ 3.5 84-89 B 3.0 78-83 C+ 2.5 72-77 C 2.0 66-71 D 1.0 60-65 F 0.0 0-59

Miscellaneous policies:

 

If changes to this syllabus are necessary, they will be implemented after discussion and negotiation with the students. Note that the accompanying course schedule is not a part of the syllabus: it is tentative and subject to revision, including all due dates.

 

Assignments are always due in class on the due date: otherwise they are late. Any late homework sets, take-home tests or essays will suffer a 5% penalty per day (excluding weekends and holidays) until they are handed in: i.e., 5% on the first day, 10% on the second day...

 

There  will be no dropped grades. All work done in the course will be counted. There will be no extra-credit work.

 

The  College of Liberal Arts' academic misconduct policy will be followed. In addition, all students are bound by the Mercer University Honor Code.

 

Students are strongly encouraged to discuss with the instructors all their work during the course, regardless of their grades. Questions about point awards should be brought up as soon as possible, as all grades will be final one week after the materials are graded and returned to the students.

 

Students with a documented disability should inform the instructor at the close of the first class meeting or as soon as possible. If you are not registered with Disability Services, the instructor will refer you to the Student Support Services office for consultation regarding documentation of your disability and eligibility for accommodations under the ADA/504. In order to receive accommodations, eligible students must provide each instructor with a Faculty Accommodation Form from Disability Services. Students must return the completed and signed form to the Disability Services office on the 3rd floor of the Connell Student Center. Students with a documented disability who do not wish to use accommodations are strongly encouraged to register with Disability Services and complete a Faculty Accommodation Form each semester. For further information please contact Disability Services at 478-301-2778 or visit the website at http://www.mercer.edu/stu_support/swd.htm.

 

All requests for reasonable accommodation are welcome also in regard to absence from class for school representation (i.e., athletic or other events) or personal/family problems. Let's talk about it...