PHYS 309 — Introduction to Modern Physics

Location:

MP-309

Time:

Mon, Wed 3:40pm – 4:55pm

Prerequisites:

PHYS 212 — Elec., Magnet., Optics MATH 275 — Multivar. Vector Calc.

Corequisites:

PHYS 310 — Introductory Modern Physics Lab

Text:

“Modern Physics” by Kenneth Krane, 2nd edition

URL:

https://www.boisestate.edu/physics/regular-faculty/hanna/phys-309/

Instructor:

Dr. Hanna channa@boisestate.edu (208) 426-4812 MP-423

Office Hours:

Tue, Fri 3:30pm – 5:00pm, or by appointment

Week	Mon date	Topics
	Part I: Photons and Matter Waves (Exam 1 over Chapters 3 to 5 on Wed Feb 13)
1.	1/14	Blackbody Radiation ; Photons reading: 3.3; 3.1,3.2,3.6 due 1/23: 3.16-3.23
2.	1/21	(Holiday); Matter Waves and Uncertainty reading: (No Class); 4.1-4.3, 4.5, 4.6 due 1/28: 3.2, 3.4, 3.8, 3.12, 4.4, 4.6, 4.8, 4.15
3.	1/28	1-D Schrodinger Eq.; Particle in a Box reading: 5.1-5.3, 5.6; 5.4 due 2/4: 5.4, 5.5, 5.7, 5.10, 5.12, 5.13, 5.14, 5.16
4.	2/4	Steps and Barriers; Tunneling and Harmonic Osc. reading: 5.7; 5.7, 5.5 due 2/11: 5.20, 5.22, 5.23, 5.24, 5.27, 5.32, 5.34
	Part 2: Atoms and Molecules (Exam 2 over Chapters 6 to 9 on Wed Mar 20)
5.	2/11	Bohr Model; Exam 1 reading: 6.1, 6.4, 6.5, 6.7, 6.8 due 2/20: 6.16, 6.21, 6.22, 6.26, 6.27, 6.28, 6.31
6.	2/18	(Holiday); Hydrogen Atom reading: (No Class); 7.1-7.3 due 2/25: 7.2, 7.5, 7.10, 7.11, 7.13, 7.14, 7.16
7.	2/25	Angular Momentum; Many-Electron Atoms reading: 7.4-7.6; 8.1-8.6 due 3/4: 7.6, 7.7, 7.18, 7.21, 8.2, 8.6, 8.7, 8.9
8.	3/4	Molecular Bonds; Molecular Excitations reading: 9.1-9.4; 9.5-9.7 due 3/11: 9.4, 9.8, 9.12, 9.13, 9.18, 9.20, 9.24, 9.26
	Part 3: Statistical, Solid-State, and Nuclear Physics (Exam 3 over Chapters 10 to 12 on Wed Apr 31)
9.	3/11	Rogers lecture; Moeck lecture reading: handouts on STM and TEM
10.	3/18	(No Class); Exam 2 reading: review for Exam 2

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SPRING BREAK 3/25 – 3/31
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Week	Mon date	Topics
11.	4/1	Stanishevsky lecture; Statistical Physics reading: 10.1-10.5 due 4/8: 10.1, 10.2, 10.4, 10.6, 10.8, 10.10
12.	4/8	Quantum Statistics: Bosons, Fermions reading: 10.6; 10.7 due 4/15: 10.16, 10.17, 10.18, 10.22, 10.23, 10.24
13.	4/15	Solid-State Physics reading: 11.1-11.4; 11.5, 11.6 due 4/22: 11.1, 11.2, 11.4, 11.6, 11.8, 11.11, 11.12 11.13
14.	4/22	Semiconductors reading: 11.6, 11.8; 11.9 due 4/29: 11.16, 11.18, 11.19, 11.20, 11.22, 11.23, 11.24, 11.25
15.	4/29	Nuclear Physics; Exam 3 reading: 12.1-12.5,12.10; 15.1-15.3 due 5/6: 12.4, 12.8, 12.9, 12.12, 12.14, 12.15, 12.16, 12.38
	Part 4: Relativity
16.	5/6	Special Relativity; Energy-Momentum reading: 2.1-2.6; 2.7,2.8 due 5/13: 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.8, 2.10, 2.28, 2.30, 2.32
	5/13	Optional Review; Final Exam reading: comprehensive text, notes, problems, exams
	* FINAL EXAM (Comprehensive) on Wednesday 5/15, 3:30-5:30pm *

GOALS:

To obtain a basic understanding of the key concepts of modern physics, especially quantum physics, and to apply these concepts to describe the elementary behavior of electrons, atoms, molecules, and condensed matter. Examples will be drawn from many fields, including physics, chemistry, materials science, and microelectronics. The key concepts of Einstein’s theory of relativity will also be introduced. The course objectives will be accomplished through lecture and discussion of selected topics in class, through group exercises, and by students working through the assigned parts of text, including all assigned homework problems. Assessment will come from the tests (which will be based on the assigned parts of the text, the assigned homework problems, and the lectures) and the assigned homework.

EXAMS:

75% of your grade is based on the exams. ALL EXAMS WILL BE COUNTED, AND NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN. There will be three in-class exams (worth 15% each) and a comprehensive two-hour final exam (worth 30%.) You may bring one 8.5″ by 11″ sheet of formulas for each one-hour exam, along with your formula sheets from your previous PHYS 309 exams. All formula sheets must be labeled at the top by exam number, be signed and handwritten by you, and be turned in with your exam. Your formula sheet should contain only numbered formulas from those sections of the chapters that are covered on the exam, and you must write the textbook equation number next to each formula. No other comments, drawing, or other information are allowed on the formula sheet. It is your responsibility to know the meaning of every symbol on your formula sheet, and to understand the meaning, applicability, and use of every equation you include on your formula sheet.

HOMEWORK:

25% of your grade is based on the homework. Hand in what you have on the due date, at the beginning of class. NO LATE HOMEWORK ACCEPTED. Homework problems will form the basis for many of the exam problems. Look over your graded homeworks carefully and make sure you can work and understand every assigned homework problem. You are strongly encouraged to talk to the instructor about homework problems that you do not understand.

READING:

Consult the syllabus and read the assigned sections before the material is covered in class. As you read, write down any questions you have and bring them to class. Ask questions in class.

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

Although you are encouraged to discuss the class lectures, readings, and assignments with your classmates, all the work that you turn in must be your own. NO CHEATING OR PLAGIARISM (PRESENTING OTHER PEOPLE’S WORK AS IF IT WERE YOUR OWN) WILL BE TOLERATED, INCLUDING ANY USE OF HOMEWORK SOLUTIONS FOUND ON THE WEB. If you make use of sources besides the class lectures or textbooks, you must provide explicit written references to the sources you used. Failure to follow this rule or any others listed in the Academic Handbook could have drastic consequences, including (but not limited to) ejection from the course with a failing grade.

GRADING:

A = 87.5 – 100, B = 75 – 87.5, C = 60 – 75, D = 45 – 60

WEB RESOURCES:

Physics Web Resources
Atom-in-a-box
Blackbody Radiation Applet
Physics 2000