Course detail
Modern Physics
FEKT-MPA-MFYAcad. year: 2020/2021
The postulates of relativity and their implications, the Lorentz transformation, world lines, relativistic energy and momentum. Quantization of energy, wave properties of particles, the uncertainty principle, Hermitian operators, Schrödinger equation, particles in potential fields, tunneling through a barrier, spin, principles of a laser, radiative transitions, band theory of solids.
Supervisor
Department
Learning outcomes of the course unit
Students will have some familiarity with main ideas of relativity, with most of the important models of quantum mechanics and with theory of deterministic chaos.
Prerequisites
The subject knowledge on the Bachelor´s degree level is requested.
Co-requisites
Not applicable.
Recommended optional programme components
Not applicable.
Recommended or required reading
Sherwin, C., H.: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, New Academic Science Ltd, 2018, ISBN: 978-1781831083 (EN)
Griffiths, D., J.: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, Cambridge University Press; 3 edition, 2018, ISBN: 978-1107189638 (EN)
Sartori, L.: Understanding Relativity, University of California Press, Berkeley, 1996, ISBN: 978-0520200296 (EN)
Hillborn, R., C.: Chaos and Nonlinear Dynamics: An Introduction for. Scientists and Engineers, Oxford University Press, 2001, ISBN: 978-0198507239 (EN)
Sakurai, J., J., Napolitano, J., J.: Modern Quantum Mechanics, 2 edition, Pearson, 2010, ISBN: 978-0805382914 (EN)
Hiller, J., Johnston, I., Styer D.: Quantum Mechanics Simulations, Wiley, 1995, ISBN: 978-0471548843
Brandt, D., Hiller, J., Moloney, M.: Modern Physics Simulations, Wiley, 1995, ISBN: 978-0471548829
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Teaching methods include lectures and seminars. The course is supoported by an e-learning system, which is, however, used as a repository of lectures and examples only. Students have to write a homework, consisting in solving a single project/assignment independently during the course.
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes
Requirements for completion of a course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated every year, commonly, there is 20 points for a project and 80 points for final examination..
Language of instruction
English
Work placements
Not applicable.
Course curriculum
The postulates of relativity and their implications, the Lorentz transformation, world lines, relativistic energy and momentum. The quantization of energy, the wave properties of particles, the uncertainty principle, Hermitian operators, Schrödinger equation, particles in boxes, tunneling through a barrier, spin, radiative transitions, the band theory.
Chaos in conservative and dissipative systems, deterministic chaos.
Aims
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the most important ideas, concepts and laws of twentieth-century physics.
Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences
The content and forms of instruction in the evaluated course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every academic year.
Classification of course in study plans