PHYS 12034

>< Type/ Status : Core/Elective
>< Title : Modern Physics
>< Objectives :
By the end of course, students will have an understanding on the development of modern science through an introduction of quantum mechanics, special theory of relativity, and atomic and nuclear physics. Students will also be familiar with their applications.
>< Course Content :

Quantum Physics
Inadequacies of classical physics and quantum mechanical evolution. Wave-particle duality. De Broglie Hypothesis. Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Wave function. probability density. Measurements, operators, observables and commutators. Eigen values and eigen functions of operators. Time dependent Schrödinger equation, Conservation of probability and probability current density. Time independent Schrödinger equation and application for a particle moving in zero potential, Step potential, Barrier potential, Square well potential and square box potential. Quantum tunnelling. Simple harmonic oscillator. Angular momentum. Hydrogen atom. Spin. Exclusion principle, Multi-electron atoms and chemical structure of the elements.

Special Theory of Relativity
Classical mechanics and its limitations, Galilean transformation, Michelson Morley experiment, Postulates of special theory of relativity, Lorentz transformations, Length contraction, Time dilation and Twin paradox, Relativistic velocity transformation, Relativistic dynamics, Equivalence of mass and energy, Space-time and geometrical representation.

Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Plasma state of matter; Discovery of the electron, Mass spectrometer, Interaction of radiation with matter, Structure of atom; Rutherford scattering, Bohr theory, Atomic spectra, X-rays, Rayleigh scattering, Raman scattering.
Structure of the nucleus, Nuclear stability, Nuclear binding energy, Radioactivity, Fission and fusion, Nuclear reactors, Nuclear reactions, Particle accelerators, Detection of charged particles, Cosmic rays, Elementary particles, Quark model, Basic building blocks of the universe.

>< Methodology : A combination of lectures and tutorial discussions.
>< Scheme of Evaluation : End of semester written examination
>< Recommended Reading:
1. Schiff, L. I. (1965). Quantum Mechanics, Mc Graw-Hill Inc.
2. Greiner, W. (1994). Quantum Mechanics, Springer.
3. French, A. P. (1991). Special Relativity, Chapmon and Hall.
4. Giancoli, D. C. (1998). Physics, Prentice Hall.
5. wurfialr, iS. ô. (2003), whskaiaghskaf.a idfmalaI;djdoh.
6. Giancoli, D. C. (1998). Physics, Prentice Hall.
7. Krane, K. S. (1988). Introductory Nuclear Physics, John Wiley.
8. Burcham, W. E. (1973). An introduction to Nuclear Physics, Longman.
9. David H., & Resnick, R., Fundamentals of Physics, John Wiley.

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