Download Physics PHYS 356 Spring Semester 2013 Quantum Mechanics (4 credit hours)

Physics PHYS 356
Quantum Mechanics
Spring Semester 2013
(4 credit hours)
INFORMATION SHEET
Instructor:
Office Hours:
Schedule:
Prof. Mark Yuly
Lecture
MTWTF
MWF
Rm. P106
1:00 – 2:00 PM
7:45 – 8:50 AM
567-9282
Rm. P106
Rm. P118
"There are things which seem incredible to most men who have not studied mathematics."
-- Aristotle
"If quantum mechanics hasn't profoundly shocked you, you haven't understood it yet."
-- Neils Bohr
Objectives:
In this class I would like for you to develop a “quantum worldview” – by which I
mean that I would like to re-examine some of the concepts that you have
previously, in classes like classical mechanics and electricity and magnetism, held
as starting assumptions. In doing this, you will need to learn a new mathematical
formalism for describing physical phenomena. I know I certainly would not have
designed the universe to work this way! I hope you will see in this class,
demonstrated from His creation, that God’s thoughts are much more rich, complex
and beautiful than those of any man.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD . “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways
higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Learning
Outcomes:
The objectives listed above I hope will be evidenced by the following outcomes:
1. to be familiar with the “axioms” of quantum mechanics, their implications,
and to be able to apply them qualitatively to a variety of physical systems.
2. to be able to analyze quantitatively simple quantum spin systems similar to
the Stern Gerlach experiment.
3. to understand the relationship between the matrix and wave formulations
of quantum mechanics, and to work with confidence using either
technique.
4. to be able to solve problems dealing with a number of important quantum
mechanical topics, namely, the particle in a box, scattering, harmonic
oscillators, angular momentum and the hydrogen atom.
5. to understand and be able to use time-independent perturbation theory to
find approximate solutions.
Text:
A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics, Second Edition by John S.
Townsend, University Science Books (2012).
Attendance:
Excessive absence from class will have a detrimental effect on assigned grades.
The instructor will decide on a case-by-case basis whether tests can be made-up.
Homework:
Problem Sets are generally to be turned in before 5:00 PM on the due date. You
will find them at http://www.houghton.edu/physics/department-of-physics/coursewebsites/phys-356-quantum-physics/.
Late homework will not be accepted.
I plan to be very particular about the format of the homework. Sloppy or
disorganized work will not be accepted. I will expect the following rules to be
followed:
1. Use only one side of your paper.
2. Each new problem is to begin on a new sheet.
3. Copy the problem, in its entirety, at the top of the page, before you begin the
solution.
4. Use words to describe each step in the solution.
5. Leave space - do not crowd your work into a tiny area on the page.
I will show you some examples of the format I expect you to follow.
Exams:
There will be three in-class unit tests. There will also be a take-home final
examination during the last week of class.
Grades:
The final grade will represent a weighted average of the scores on the homework
(50%), the three in-class unit tests (10%) each, and the comprehensive take-home
final examination (20%).