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

Physics PHYS 356
Quantum Mechanics
Spring Semester 2013
(4 credit hours)
Description
Modern quantum mechanics with an emphasis on matrix methods. Topics to be covered include time
evolution, harmonic oscillators, angular momentum, central potentials, the hydrogen atom and
perturbation theory. Prerequisites: PHYS 212, MATH 241, pre/co-requisite MATH 261.
1. Monday, Jan. 14
Topic:
Read:
Assignment:
The Axioms of Quantum Mechanics.
Townsend, Chapter 1.
Problem Set #1
2. Wednesday, Jan. 16
Topic:
The Stern-Gerlach Experiment.
3. Friday, Jan. 18
Topic:
Assignment:
Matrix Representations.
Townsend, Chapter 2.
4. Monday, Jan. 21
Topic:
Due:
Assignment:
Quantum Mechanical Operators.
Problem Set #1
Problem Set #2
5. Wednesday, Jan. 23
Topic:
Eigenvalue Equations and Spin.
6. Friday, Jan. 25
Topic:
Read:
Commutators and Time Evolution.
Townsend, Sections 3.1-3.2, Chapter 4.
7. Monday, Jan. 28
Topic:
Due:
Assignment:
Example: Time Evolution of Spin-1/2 Particle in
Magnetic Field.
Problem Set #2
Problem Set #3
8. Wednesday, Jan. 30
Topic:
Catch Up Day
9. Friday, Feb. 1
Topic:
Physics Candidate Interview (No class)
Due:
Unit Test #1 (Chapters 1, 2, 3.1-3.2 and 4)
Problem Set #3
11. Wednesday, Feb. 6
Topic:
Read:
Assignment:
Wave Mechanics in One Dimension.
Townsend, Chapter 6.1-6.8.
Problem Set #4
12. Friday, Feb. 8
Topic:
Wave Mechanics in One Dimension (cont.).
13. Monday, Feb. 11
Topic:
Read:
Example: Free Particles and the Particle in a Box.
Townsend, 6.9
14. Wednesday, Feb. 13
Topic:
Read:
Example: One Dimensional Scattering
Townsend, 6.10
15. Friday, Feb. 15
Topic:
Example: One Dimensional Scattering
10. Monday, Feb. 4
16. Monday, Feb. 18
Topic:
Read:
Due:
Assignment
The Harmonic Oscillator (the hard way.)
Townsend, Chapter 7
Problem Set #4
Problem Set #5
17. Wednesday, Feb. 20
Topic:
The Harmonic Oscillator (the hard way, continued.)
18. Friday, Feb. 22
Topic:
The Harmonic Oscillator (the hard way, continued.)
19. Monday, Feb. 25
Topic:
The Harmonic Oscillator (the easy way.)
20. Wednesday, Feb. 27
Topic:
The Harmonic Oscillator (the easy way.)
Friday, Mar. 1
February Break
21. Monday, Mar. 4
Topic:
Read:
Angular Momentum.
Townsend, Sections 3.3-3.8, 9.5-9.10.
22. Wednesday, Mar. 6
Topic:
Angular Momentum (the hard way).
Due:
Assignment:
Unit Test #2 (Chapters 6 and 7)
Problem Set #5
Problem Set #6
Topic:
Angular Momentum (the easy way).
23. Friday, Mar. 8
24. Monday, Mar. 11
Wednesday, Mar. 13
HELP Day (no classes)
25. Friday, Mar. 15
Topic:
Read:
Addition of Angular Momentum.
Townsend, 5.1-5.4, Appendix B
26. Monday, Mar. 18
Topic:
Read:
Motion in a Central Potential.
Townsend, 9.1-9.3
27. Wednesday, Mar. 20
Topic:
Catch Up
28. Friday, Mar. 22
Topic:
Catch Up
Monday, Mar.25
Wednesday, Mar. 27
Friday, Mar. 29
Monday, Apr. 1
29. Wednesday, Apr. 3
Easter Break
Topic:
Due:
Assignment:
Catch Up
Problem Set #6
Problem Set #7
2
30. Friday, Apr. 5
Topic:
Catch Up
31. Monday, Apr. 8
Topic:
Read:
Example: Spherical Square Wells.
Townsend, 10.1, 10.3, 10.4
32. Wednesday, Apr. 10
Topic:
Example: Hydrogen Atom.
Townsend, 10.2
33. Friday, Apr. 12
Topic:
Example: Hydrogen Atom (cont.)
34. Monday, Apr. 15
Topic:
Read:
Due:
Assignment:
Time-independent Perturbation Theory
Townsend, 11.1 – 11.2
Problem Set #7
Problem Set #8
35. Wednesday, Apr. 17
Topic:
Example: “Spiked” Infinite Square Well
36. Friday, Apr. 19
Topic:
Read:
Example: Kinetic Energy Relativistic Correction for
Hydrogen
Townsend, 11.5
37. Monday, Apr. 22
Topic:
Read:
Example: The Stark Effect
Townsend, 11.3
38. Wednesday, Apr. 24
Topic:
Example: The Stark Effect
39. Friday, Apr. 26
Topic:
Assignment:
Due:
Catch Up Day
Comprehensive Take Home Final
Problem Set #8
40. Monday, Apr. 29
Topic:
Take Home Final (no class)
41. Wednesday, May 1
Topic:
Take Home Final (no class)
3