640-243 Quantum Mechanics

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Physics 640-121 + 640-122 or 640-141 + 640-142; Mathematics 620-111 or 620-121 or 620-142.

Pre/corequisites

Mathematics 620-112 or 620-122 or 620-200 or 620-211; Mathematics 620-132 or 620-130.

(For subjects completed prior to 1998, the Mathematics and Statistics departmental code 620- should be replaced by the superseded Mathematics departmental code 618-)

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject covers the developments of 20th century physics which led to the formulation of wave mechanics and quantum physics. Specific topics addressed will include the experimental basis of quantum mechanics: black-body radiation, photoelectric effect, Compton effect, de Broglie waves and the Davisson-Germer experiment, Bohr quantisation rule; wave-particle duality, probability interpretation and the wave function; wave packets and an introduction to Fourier Transforms; Schrödinger equation and stationary states; one-dimensional examples: potential steps, barriers and wells, harmonic oscillator; introduction to operators for energy and linear momentum; expectation values; an idea of three-dimensional problems and the hydrogen atom.

Assessment

A 2-hour end-of-semester written examination plus tests and/or assignments, set during the semester, which may account for up to 20% of the final marks.

Prescribed Texts

• Serway R A Moses C J and Moyer C A, Modern Physics. Saunders.