| Course ID: | PHYS-4617-001 (undergrad-level), PHYS-5617-001 (grad-level) |
| Lecture Times: | TR 2:15 p.m. - 3:35 p.m. |
| Lecture Location: | Brown Hall, Room 264 |
| Lecturer: | Dr. Donald Luttermoser |
| E-mail: | lutter@rmspametsu.edu (delete "rmspam" from address before sending) |
| Office: | 279 Brown Hall (423-439-7064) |
| Office Hours: | R 4:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (279 Brown Hall) |
| Textbook: | Understanding Quantum Physics (1990) by Morrison |
| Days | Topics | Readings | Note Sections |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 29, 31 | Introduction: Atoms and Light | Chapter 1 | I |
| September 5, 7 | Atoms and Light (cont.) | Chapter 2 | I |
| September 12, 14 | The Wave Function | Chapters 3-5 | II |
| September 19, 21 | Time-Independent Schrodinger Equation | Chapter 6 | III |
| September 21 | Project Proposals Due | ||
| September 26 | Time-Independent Schrodinger Equation (cont.) | Chapter 7 | III |
| September 28 | Exam 1 | Chapters 1-5 | I, II |
| October 3, 5 | Time-Independent Schrodinger Equation (cont.) | Chapter 8 | III |
| October 10, 12 | Time-Independent Schrodinger Equation (cont.) | Chapter 9 | III |
| October 17 | Fall Break | No Class | --- |
| October 19 | Formalism & Techniques | Chapter 10 | IV |
| October 24, 26 | Formalism & Techniques (cont.) | Chapter 11 | IV |
| October 31 | Exam 2 | Chapters 6-11 | III, IV |
| November 2 | Quantum Mechanics in Three Dimensions | --- | V |
| November 7, 9 | 3D QM: The Hydrogen Atom | --- | V |
| November 14 | 3D QM: The Hydrogen Atom (cont.) | --- | V |
| November 16 | Angular Momentum and Spin | Chapter 12 | VI |
| November 21 | Angular Momentum and Spin (cont.) | Chapter 12 | VI |
| November 21 | Course Projects Due | --- | --- |
| November 23 | Thanksgiving Break | No Class | --- |
| November 28 | Angular Momentum and Spin (cont.) | Chapter 12 | VI |
| November 30 | Course Projects Presentations | --- | --- |
| December 5, 7 | Summary and Advanced Topics | --- | --- |
| December 12* | Exam 3 | Chapter 12 | V, VI |
Please consult the ETSU supplemental syllabus attachment for other helpful university information.
Click here to view the web page for this course.
Quantum Physics starts with a discussion of the semi-classical approach to the physics of the interaction of electromagnetic radiation (i.e., energy or light) and electrons (i.e., matter). It then quickly introduces the student to the concept of the wave function and of probabilities. Techniques for solving the Schrodinger equation for various potentials are examined in both one- and three-dimensions. An in depth study of the hydrogen atom, along with angular momentum and spin, is also carried out in this course. Much of the course involves the use of sophistcated mathematical techniques of differential equations and linear algebra using the Dirac notation. The student is graded on results of the exams, homework, and a course computer project.
There will be 3 exams taken on the dates listed on the syllabus -- there will not be a comprehensive final. Each exam will cover material after th previous test. You will be allowed access to your notes and textbook during the exams. Each exam will be worth 100 points. Homework problem sets will be assigned approximately every two weeks throughout the semester. The homework and each exam will be worth 20% of your grade. Please note that PHYS-4617/5617 is a writing intensive course. As such, each homework set must conform to the standards of professional scientific journals -- besides the equations needed to solve a problem, a detailed write-up that describes this solution must be included as well, written in proper English.
| Exam | Note Sections | Textbook Chapters | Date Given |
| 1 | I, II | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | Tuesday, September 28, 2006 |
| 2 | III, IV | 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | Tuesday, October 31, 2006 |
| 3 | V, VI | 12 | Tuesday, December 12, 2006 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
A class project will be assigned and will be worth 20% of your grade. Your project will involve solving the Schrodinger equation in a numerical fashion via a computer program. As an introduction to working in the scientific community, you will be required to submit a Research Proposal to me by Thursday, September 21st. I will return your proposals with comments and grades the following week. You must get at least a 3.2 (out of 4) before you can begin your work. Should you get below a 3.2 on your first proposal submission, you will have to resubmit it with corrections by October 3rd. You will get official proposal instructions during the second week of class. You will be required to submit a final report and a manuscript of the results of your project by November 21st. This manuscript must be typeset by either using LaTeX (preferably) or by some PC word processor. Once again, the style of the manuscript must follow the format of a professional scientific journal (see me for examples). The software that you design for your simulation can be written in any programming language you desire. (If you have no computer experience, see me for further information on which programming languages are the easiest to use.) In previous semesters, Fortran 77, Fortran 90, Visual Basic, and IDL have been used. The language you plan to use must be documented in your Project Proposal. Your final score on your project will be based upon your Project Proposal, Project Manuscript, Final Report, and a 15 minute Presentation that you will give on your project.
The grading system will be based by the following formula:
The final grades will be based on the following scale:
| A | = | 90% or better | B- | = | 73-75.9% | D+ | = | 56-58.9% | ||
| A- | = | 88-89.9% | C+ | = | 70-72.9% | D | = | 50-55.9% | ||
| B+ | = | 86-87.9% | C | = | 62-69.9% | F | = | Less than 50% | ||
| B | = | 76-85.9% | C- | = | 59-61.9% |
Note that a failing grade also will be given if the student has engaged in any form of academic dishonesty.