Department of Physics, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
PH10048 Introduction to quantum physics [WL] |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Certificate |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: EX 85%, PR 15% |
| Requisites: |
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Students must have A-level Physics and A-level Mathematics in order to undertake this unit.
Aims: The aims of this unit are to review the scientific developments which reveal the breakdown of classical physics at the atomic level, to introduce the ideas of energy and angular momentum quantisation and the electronic structure of atoms, to discuss the dual wave-particle nature of matter, and to introduce our current picture of elementary particles and the forces between them.
Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit the student should be able to: * identify evidence for the quantum nature of matter; * describe models of the atom, the origin of quantisation of energy and the origin of the periodic table; * discuss wave-particle duality and the uncertainty principle; * classify the fundamental particles of nature; * demonstrate the correct use of common laboratory equipment, maintain a scientific logbook, perform basic error analysis and produce an outline scientific report. Skills: Written Communication T/F A, Numeracy T/F A, Data Acquisition, Handling, and Analysis T/F A, Information Technology T/F A, Problem Solving T/F A, Working as part of a group T/F, Practical laboratory skills T/F A. Content: Quantum and classical domains of physics (4 hours): Structure of atoms; scattering of alpha-particles and Rutherford's model, electrons and ions, atomic mass units. Photons and energy quantisation (9 hours): Black-body radiation; the ultraviolet catastrophe and Planck's hypothesis. Photoelectric effect. The electromagnetic spectrum. X-rays. Compton scattering. The Bohr model of the atom. Atomic orbitals, the Pauli exclusion principle and the origin of the periodic table. Deficiencies of Bohr's model. Wave-particle duality (5 hours): An introduction to waves, wave-like properties of photons and other particles; inadequacies of classical models. De Broglie's hypothesis. Electron diffraction. Wave aspects of larger particles; atoms, molecules, neutrons. The uncertainty principle. Introduction to particle physics (4 hours): Quarks, leptons and mediators. Antiparticles. Quark model of hadrons. Baryon and lepton number. The four forces. Exchange particles and Feynman diagrams. Laboratory: Performance of experiments designed to develop practical skills and support lecture material. |