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PH10048: Introduction to quantum physics [WL]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Physics
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 6
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 1
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 10%, EX 75%, PR 15%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: PH10048 Mandatory Extra Work (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites: Students must have A-level Physics and A-level Mathematics in order to undertake this unit.
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: 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 radiation, 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:
* discuss evidence for the quantum nature of microscopic phenomena;
* 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;
* solve simple quantitative problems concerning the interaction of light with matter;
* 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:
Waves and photons (7 hours): Classical versus quantum physics. An introduction to waves, the wave nature of light: Young's slit experiment, x-ray diffraction (Braggs law), the electromagnetic spectrum; inadequacies of classical models.
Wave-particle duality (4 hours): Black-body radiation; the ultraviolet catastrophe and Planck's theory of cavity radiation. Photons and the particle-like properties of electromagnetic radiation: the photoelectric effect. The electromagnetic spectrum. X-rays. Compton scattering. De Broglie's hypothesis. Electron diffraction. Wave aspects of larger particles; atoms, molecules, neutrons. An introduction to the wavefunction and its interpretation. The uncertainty principle.
Atomic structure (6 hours): Structure of atoms; scattering of alpha-particles and Rutherford's model, electrons and ions, atomic mass units, Avogadro's number. The Bohr model of the atom. Atomic orbitals, the Pauli exclusion principle and the origin of the periodic table. Deficiencies of Bohr's model.
Introduction to particle physics (5 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.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PH10048 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Physics
  • USXX-AFB03 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Physics (Full-time) - Year 1
  • USXX-AKB04 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Physics with Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • USXX-AAB04 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • USXX-AFM01 : MSci (hons) Mathematics and Physics (Full-time) - Year 1

PH10048 is Optional on the following programmes:

Programmes in Natural Sciences
  • UXXX-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UXXX-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences with Industrial Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • UXXX-AAB02 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UXXX-AFM01 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UXXX-AKM02 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences with Professional Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • UXXX-AAM02 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 1

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.