PHS 317 Modern Physics Lecture

Syllabus

Content of course: special relativity; the quantization of matter, charge and energy; the postulates of quantum mechanics; solutions of the wave equation for the simple harmonic oscillator and the hydrogen atom. The PHS 318 Modern Physics Lab lets students perform experiments related to this course.

One text is required for this course:

“Physics for Scientists & Engineers with Modern Physics” Third Edition by Douglas C. Giancoli, Prentice Hall.
(Class will meet at 7pm Monday & Thursday.
Students are to read the assigned text before class.
Homework is due on the date indicated.)
Outline of Topics to be Covered

This page was last updated on May 5, 2005. Click on the HW assignment to link to the Solutions, after they are posted to the website.
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Subject

Text sections

Date (2005)

Homework

1

Special Theory of Relativity

37.1 - 37.6

24 Jan

2

Special Theory of Relativity

37.7 - 37.8

27 Jan

37: 5, 7, 9

3

Special Theory of Relativity

37.9 - 37.13

31 Jan

37: 23, 29, 35

4

Early Quantum Theory & Atomic Models

38.1 - 38.7

3 Feb

37: 50, 54, 57

Class does not meet this night

7 Feb

5

Early Quantum Theory & Atomic Models
QUIZ on Ch.37

38.8 - 38.11

10 Feb

38: 16, 19, 34

6

Quantum Mechanics

39.1 - 39.4

14 Feb

38: Question 26, Problems 60, 84

7

Quantum Mechanics
QUIZ on Ch.38

39.5 - 39.7

17 Feb

39: Problems 1, 7, 8

8

Quantum Mechanics
QUIZ on Ch.39

39.8 - 39.10

21 Feb

39: Problems 20, 32, 33

9

EXAM 1

Ch. 37 - 39

24 Feb

10

Quantum Mechanics of Atoms

40.1 - 40.3

28 Feb

correct Exam-1

11

Quantum Mechanics of Atoms

40.4 - 40.6

3 Mar

40: Problems 8, 10, 12

12

Quantum Mechanics of Atoms

40.7 - 40.10

7 Mar

40: Problems 36, 38, 42

13

Molecules and Solids
QUIZ on Ch.40

41.1 - 41.4

10 Mar

40: Problems 66, 69, 70

Mid-semester break

14

Molecules and Solids

41.5 - 41.7

21 Mar

41: Problems 4, 5, 54

15

Molecules and Solids

41.8 - 41.10

24 Mar

41: Problems 8, 12, 59

16

Nuclear Physics & Radioactivity
QUIZ on Ch.41

42.1 - 42.6

28 Mar

41: Problems 33, 40, 67

17

Nuclear Physics & Radioactivity

42.7 - 42.11

31 Mar

42: Problems 8, 18, 20

18

EXAM 2

Ch. 40 - 42

4 Apr

19

Nuclear Energy: Effects of Radiation

43.1 - 43.3

7 Apr

20

Nuclear Energy: Effects of Radiation

43.4 - 43.6

11 Apr

43: Problems 14, 18, 27, 28

21

Class meets at Univ. of Rochester Laser Lab see map to lab

Ch. 42 - 43

14 Apr

43: Problems 30, 32, 40

22

Nuclear Energy: Effects of Radiation

43.7 - 43.10

18 Apr

23

Elementary Particles

44.1 - 44.6

21 Apr

44: Problems 7,16,51

Class does not meet this night

25 Apr

24

Elementary Particles

44.7 - 44.11

28 Apr

44: Problems 23,28,36

25

Astrophysics & Cosmology

45.1 - 45.3

2 May

26

Astrophysics & Cosmology

45.4 - 45.7

5 May

45: Problems 13,14,19

Grade Points

Student Work

Homework, Quizes & Class Participation = 40%

Each homework assignment is due on the date indicated in the table. Quizes will be given on the assigned reading. Student participation during class is encouraged by bonus points.

Exams = 60%

There will be 2 exams plus a final exam. Each exam and the final exam contribute 20% to the course grade. The exams will be in-class exams, with closed notes and open books.

"I would appreciate hearing from anyone in this class who has a special need that may be the result of a disability. I am reasonably sure we can work out whatever arrangement is necessary, be it special seating, testing, or other accommodation. See me after class, or during my office hours, as soon as possible."

Grades
Overall average Letter grade 92-100 A 89-91 A- 85-88 B+ 78-84 B 75-77 B- 72-74 C+ 66-71 C 63-65 C- 60-62 D+ 55-59 D 52-54 D- < 52 E

	Subject	Text sections	Date (2005)	Homework
1	Special Theory of Relativity	37.1 - 37.6	24 Jan
2	Special Theory of Relativity	37.7 - 37.8	27 Jan	37: 5, 7, 9
3	Special Theory of Relativity	37.9 - 37.13	31 Jan	37: 23, 29, 35
4	Early Quantum Theory & Atomic Models	38.1 - 38.7	3 Feb	37: 50, 54, 57
	Class does not meet this night		7 Feb
5	Early Quantum Theory & Atomic Models QUIZ on Ch.37	38.8 - 38.11	10 Feb	38: 16, 19, 34
6	Quantum Mechanics	39.1 - 39.4	14 Feb	38: Question 26, Problems 60, 84
7	Quantum Mechanics QUIZ on Ch.38	39.5 - 39.7	17 Feb	39: Problems 1, 7, 8
8	Quantum Mechanics QUIZ on Ch.39	39.8 - 39.10	21 Feb	39: Problems 20, 32, 33
9	EXAM 1	Ch. 37 - 39	24 Feb
10	Quantum Mechanics of Atoms	40.1 - 40.3	28 Feb	correct Exam-1
11	Quantum Mechanics of Atoms	40.4 - 40.6	3 Mar	40: Problems 8, 10, 12
12	Quantum Mechanics of Atoms	40.7 - 40.10	7 Mar	40: Problems 36, 38, 42
13	Molecules and Solids QUIZ on Ch.40	41.1 - 41.4	10 Mar	40: Problems 66, 69, 70
Mid-semester break
14	Molecules and Solids	41.5 - 41.7	21 Mar	41: Problems 4, 5, 54
15	Molecules and Solids	41.8 - 41.10	24 Mar	41: Problems 8, 12, 59
16	Nuclear Physics & Radioactivity QUIZ on Ch.41	42.1 - 42.6	28 Mar	41: Problems 33, 40, 67
17	Nuclear Physics & Radioactivity	42.7 - 42.11	31 Mar	42: Problems 8, 18, 20
18	EXAM 2	Ch. 40 - 42	4 Apr
19	Nuclear Energy: Effects of Radiation	43.1 - 43.3	7 Apr
20	Nuclear Energy: Effects of Radiation	43.4 - 43.6	11 Apr	43: Problems 14, 18, 27, 28
21	Class meets at Univ. of Rochester Laser Lab see map to lab	Ch. 42 - 43	14 Apr	43: Problems 30, 32, 40
22	Nuclear Energy: Effects of Radiation	43.7 - 43.10	18 Apr
23	Elementary Particles	44.1 - 44.6	21 Apr	44: Problems 7,16,51
	Class does not meet this night		25 Apr
24	Elementary Particles	44.7 - 44.11	28 Apr	44: Problems 23,28,36
25	Astrophysics & Cosmology	45.1 - 45.3	2 May
26	Astrophysics & Cosmology	45.4 - 45.7	5 May	45: Problems 13,14,19