Modern Physics ZCT 104E/3 Lecturer in charge: Yoon Tiem Leong ( 袁添亮 ) Email: [email protected]@usm.my Room 115, School of Physics, USM, Tel: 653 3674.

Modern Physics Modern Physics ZCT 104E/3ZCT 104E/3

Lecturer in charge:

Yoon Tiem Leong (Yoon Tiem Leong ( 袁添亮袁添亮 )) Email: [email protected] Room 115, School of Physics, USM, Tel: 653 3674

www.geocities.com/tlyoonwww.geocities.com/tlyoon

OrOr

www.fizik.usm.my/tlyoon/www.fizik.usm.my/tlyoon/

teaching/teaching/

modernphysics.htmmodernphysics.htm

Course DescriptionCourse Description

Physic after 1900Physic after 1900

special theory of relativity,  particle nature special theory of relativity,  particle nature of light and wave nature of matter, of light and wave nature of matter,

introductory quantum theory of atoms and introductory quantum theory of atoms and introductory quantum mechanics.  introductory quantum mechanics.  

Time PlanningTime Planning

Contact hoursContact hours

Maximum contact hours = Maximum contact hours = (2(2 x x 7) 7) weeksweeks xx (3 (3xx50) mins/week = 35 50) mins/week = 35

hours (ideally, but practically the hours (ideally, but practically the number of contact hours could be lesser number of contact hours could be lesser due to holidays)due to holidays)

   Out of the 42 classes scheduled, 4 will Out of the 42 classes scheduled, 4 will

be allocated for tutorialsbe allocated for tutorials Estimated lecture hours Estimated lecture hours 32 32  

Topics to be coveredTopics to be covered

-1-1 The program of physicsThe program of physics 1 lecture1 lecture  13 Nov 03 (Thu) 13 Nov 03 (Thu)

00 Special theory of RelativitySpecial theory of Relativity 12 12 (or 10) (or 10) lectureslectures 14 Nov 03 (Frid) - 14 Nov 03 (Frid) - 

11 Some preliminary wave physicsSome preliminary wave physics 2 lectures2 lectures

22 Particle properties of radiationParticle properties of radiation 5 lectures5 lectures

33 Wave properties of particlesWave properties of particles 3 lectures3 lectures

44 Introductory quantum mechanicsIntroductory quantum mechanics 4 lectures4 lectures

55 Atomic modelsAtomic models 5 lectures5 lectures

Total  =     32 Total  =     32 (30) (30) lectureslectures (flexi) (flexi)

Problem SetsProblem Sets (tutorial): 4 sets, download (tutorial): 4 sets, download them from the webthem from the web      

ExamsExams:: Two tests Two tests, , x-hour final exam (yet to x-hour final exam (yet to confirm) confirm)

GradingGrading Grading will be weighted: Midterm tests + 1 Grading will be weighted: Midterm tests + 1

computer-based test, both contribute 30%, while computer-based test, both contribute 30%, while final exam will contribute 70% to the total weight.final exam will contribute 70% to the total weight.

TextbooksTextbooks

1) 1) Kenneth Kane, Modern Physics, John. Wiley Kenneth Kane, Modern Physics, John. Wiley & Sons,  2nd edition (August 1995) (required)& Sons,  2nd edition (August 1995) (required)

2) Modern Physics (Saunders Golden Sunburst 2) Modern Physics (Saunders Golden Sunburst Series) International edition, by Raymond A. Series) International edition, by Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. Moyer Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. Moyer (required) (alternatively, volume two, physics (required) (alternatively, volume two, physics for scientists and engineers by Raymond A. for scientists and engineers by Raymond A. Serway, third edition, by the same publisher)Serway, third edition, by the same publisher)

3) Introduction to the Structure of Matter: A 3) Introduction to the Structure of Matter: A Course in Modern Physics, by John J. Brehm Course in Modern Physics, by John J. Brehm (Author), William J. Mullin, John Wiley & Sons; (Author), William J. Mullin, John Wiley & Sons; (January 1989) (advanced)(January 1989) (advanced)

4) Elementary Modern Physics, by 4) Elementary Modern Physics, by Richard T. Widner and Robert L. Richard T. Widner and Robert L. Sells, Allyn and Bacon Inc., third Sells, Allyn and Bacon Inc., third editionedition

5) Concepts of Modern Physics, 5) Concepts of Modern Physics, Arthur Beiser, McGraw-Hill; 6th Arthur Beiser, McGraw-Hill; 6th editionedition

6) Physics, Cutnell and Johnson, 6) Physics, Cutnell and Johnson, John Wiley & Sons (International John Wiley & Sons (International Edition), 6th edition (simple)Edition), 6th edition (simple)

77) Quantum Physics of Atoms, ) Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles by Robert Eisberg, Robert Particles by Robert Eisberg, Robert Resnick, John Wiley & Sons; 2nd Resnick, John Wiley & Sons; 2nd edition 7) edition 7)

8) 8) Introduction to special relativity, Introduction to special relativity, by Robert Resnick, John Wiley & by Robert Resnick, John Wiley & sonssons

Course requirement Course requirement (informal):(informal):

The students must be familiar with basic The students must be familiar with basic knowledge in some necessary knowledge in some necessary

mathematical tools such as calculus, mathematical tools such as calculus, differential equations, Taylor and/or differential equations, Taylor and/or binomial expansionbinomial expansion

The students must have already The students must have already equipped equipped with fundamental knowledge with fundamental knowledge in Newtonian in Newtonian mechanicsmechanics

         EnglishEnglish

MAILING LISTMAILING LIST

      Everyone must send an email toEveryone must send an email [email protected]@usm.my so that I could maintain a list of so that I could maintain a list of contactcontact

Type your name in the “Subject” Type your name in the “Subject”

Those who fail to do so have to bear the Those who fail to do so have to bear the responsibility if any information pertaining to the responsibility if any information pertaining to the lectures, e.g extra classes, change of venue and lectures, e.g extra classes, change of venue and timetable etc., fail to reach him/hertimetable etc., fail to reach him/her

Downloads http://www.geocities.com/http://www.geocities.com/

tlyoon/calander.htmtlyoon/calander.htm Password for lecture notes:Password for lecture notes:

011103011103 (the date AB took over (the date AB took over as PM)as PM)

Tutorial setsTutorial sets

  Consultation hoursConsultation hours  

- - anytime (but please call first)anytime (but please call first)

General CommentsGeneral Comments intellectually intriguing and intellectually intriguing and

somewhat counter-intuitivesomewhat counter-intuitive, , must must prepare to think logically prepare to think logically like like Einstein. Einstein.

Learn the methodology of Learn the methodology of doing doing ‘real’ physics‘real’ physics

No ‘hafalan’ will work here – No ‘hafalan’ will work here – understanding is absolutely mandatoryunderstanding is absolutely mandatory      

Interactive learning is strongly encouraged Interactive learning is strongly encouraged – emailing, Q&A on class, in private, by – emailing, Q&A on class, in private, by phone, chat room on the web etc.phone, chat room on the web etc.

Your feedback to improve the quality of Your feedback to improve the quality of the lectures is welcomedthe lectures is welcomed

Must read text – lecture note is not enoughMust read text – lecture note is not enough

11stst lecture: The program of lecture: The program of Physics Physics

The program of physics is to devise The program of physics is to devise concepts and laws that can help concepts and laws that can help understand the physical universe.understand the physical universe.

A law in physics is a A law in physics is a precise precise mathematical mathematical statementstatement of a relation of a relation that has been found by repeated that has been found by repeated experiment to hold among physical experiment to hold among physical quantities and that reflects quantities and that reflects persistent regularities in the persistent regularities in the behaviour of the physical world. behaviour of the physical world.

"good" physical laws "good" physical laws

generality, simplicity, precisiongenerality, simplicity, precision, , fit experimental observations fit experimental observations (e.g. Newtonian Physics)(e.g. Newtonian Physics)

New physics supplants old New physics supplants old physics beyond the domain of physics beyond the domain of validity of old physics (e.g. validity of old physics (e.g. Special relativity vs. Newtonian Special relativity vs. Newtonian Physics)Physics)

The limits of physical theoriesThe limits of physical theories: : classical physics, classical physics, quantum physics, quantum physics, special theory of relativityspecial theory of relativity, relativistic , relativistic quantum mechanics (QFT), general quantum mechanics (QFT), general theory of relativity, statistical physicstheory of relativity, statistical physics

Quantum gravityQuantum gravity

Classical physics = physics before Classical physics = physics before 1900 – thermodynamics, EM, classical 1900 – thermodynamics, EM, classical mechanicsmechanics

modern physics modern physics == the physics of the the physics of the twentieth century (after 1900)twentieth century (after 1900)

This course is about Quantum physics - This course is about Quantum physics - atomic atomic and nuclear structure, and and nuclear structure, and

special theory of relativity – speed approaching special theory of relativity – speed approaching that of lightthat of light

failure of classical physics gives rise to modern failure of classical physics gives rise to modern physicsphysics

The 'architects' of modern physics

From specific to generalFrom specific to general

Usually we start from some known but specific Usually we start from some known but specific theory and try to generalise it theory and try to generalise it

a new (general) theory will yield the old (restricted) a new (general) theory will yield the old (restricted) theory as a special approximation theory as a special approximation

E.g. when backtracking to your younger age, the E.g. when backtracking to your younger age, the difficult math you learnt in the University must difficult math you learnt in the University must reduce to that of simple arithmetic knowledge that reduce to that of simple arithmetic knowledge that you learnt in primary school you learnt in primary school

E.g. E.g. the relativity and quantum theories must yield the relativity and quantum theories must yield classical physics when applied to large-scale classical physics when applied to large-scale objects moving at speeds much lower than the objects moving at speeds much lower than the speed of light speed of light

The correspondence principleThe correspondence principle

Extrapolation from known physics to more Extrapolation from known physics to more general physics requires some “criteria” that general physics requires some “criteria” that must be fulfilled by the `new theory’must be fulfilled by the `new theory’

Any new theory in physics, whatever its Any new theory in physics, whatever its character or details, must reduce to the character or details, must reduce to the well established classical theory to well established classical theory to which it corresponds when it is applied which it corresponds when it is applied under the circumstances in which the under the circumstances in which the less general theory is known to holdless general theory is known to hold. .

ExampleExample Special case: TSpecial case: The he parabola parabola motion of motion of projectile projectile on Earth is a special on Earth is a special case of the more general case of case of the more general case of elliptic motion of satellite around elliptic motion of satellite around the Earththe Earth

General case: The mathematical General case: The mathematical description of satellite has to description of satellite has to reduce to parabolic motion of reduce to parabolic motion of projectile on Earth surface when the projectile on Earth surface when the length scale reduces from that of length scale reduces from that of Earth size (~6000km) to that of a Earth size (~6000km) to that of a short distance (say, ~ 100 m)short distance (say, ~ 100 m)

Another exampleAnother example Ray optics and wave optics, bRay optics and wave optics, both oth describing the describing the

propagation of light propagation of light Geometrical optics: Geometrical optics: only rectilinear propagation, only rectilinear propagation,

reflection, refractionreflection, refraction, , valid only when valid only when / /dd -> 0 -> 0 wave (physical) optics wave (physical) optics - - more general (diffraction, more general (diffraction,

interference, also rectilinear propagation)interference, also rectilinear propagation), , more more comprehensive, valid up to comprehensive, valid up to dd

Limit (wave optics) = ray optics

/d 0 (no wave phenomena)

YOU MIGHT BE A PHYSICS MAJOR...

if you have no life - and you can PROVE it mathematically.

if you enjoy pain.

if you know vector calculus but you can't remember how to do long division.

if you chuckle whenever anyone says 'centrifugal force.' if you've actually used every single function on your scientific calculator.

if you always do homework on Friday and Saturday nights. if you know how to integrate a chicken and can take the derivative of water. if you hesitate to look at something because you don't want to break down its wave function. if you have a pet named after a scientist. if you laugh at jokes about mathematicians. if the Humane society has you arrested because you actually performed the Schrodinger's Cat experiment.

if you avoid doing anything because you don't want to contribute to the eventual heat-death of the universe.

if you consider ANY non-science course 'easy.'

if the 'fun' centre of your brain has deteriorated from lack of use. if you'll assume that a 'horse' is a 'sphere' in order to make the math easier.

if you understood more than five of these indicators.

if you make a hard copy of this list, and post it on your door. If these indicators apply to you, there is good reason to suspect that you might be classified as a physics major. I hope this clears up any confusion