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PH20060: Quantum & atomic physics [WL]

[Page last updated: 23 October 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: Department of Physics
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: EX 85%, PR 15%
Assessment Detail:
  • EXAMINATION (EX 85%)
  • PRACTICAL (PR 15%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must ( take PH10001 OR take PH10048 ) AND ( take PH10005 OR take PH10053 ) AND ( take PH10007 OR take MA10230 )
Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit the student should be able to:
* explain the significance of the wavefunction in determining the physical behaviour of electrons;
* show how quantisation arises from boundary conditions and calculate energy levels in simple model systems;
* discuss the energy levels, angular momenta and spectra of atoms, taking into account screening and magnetic interactions;
* conduct short experiments on various topics, record details of experimental method and results to an appropriate standard, and write a scientific report displaying an appropriate standard of structure, attention to detail and analysis.


Aims: The aims of this unit are to introduce the Schrödinger equation and its solution in one and three dimensions, and to discuss the interactions responsible for the electronic structure of atoms.

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: Basic assumptions of quantum mechanics (4 hours): Wave functions, probability density and normalisation. Observables; position, momentum and energy. Schrödinger's equation; time dependence of the wavefunction, stationary states, superposition and measurement, time-independent Schrödinger equation.
Motion in one dimension (6 hours): Eigenfunctions of the infinite square well, parity of solutions, superposition states. Dirac notation. Bound states of the finite square well. Motion of free particles. Reflection and transmission at a step. Tunnelling through a barrier. The harmonic oscillator. Time-independent perturbation theory.
The Schrödinger hydrogen atom (4 hours): Angular wavefunction, radial wavefunction, full solutions, energy and atomic spectra, electronic states of many electron atoms.
Angular momentum in atoms (4 hours): Orbital angular momentum, spin angular momentum, Dirac notation, superposition, Pauli spin.
Magnetic properties of atoms (4 hours): Magnetic moments, total angular momentum, spin-orbit interaction, perturbation theory, Zeeman effect and Stern Gerlach experiment.
Laboratory: Performance of experiments designed further to develop practical skills and support lecture material.

Course availability:

PH20060 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Physics stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Physics stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Physics stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Physics stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Physics stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Physics stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Environmental Science with Physics stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Environmental Science with Physics stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Environmental Science with Physics stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Biology stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Biology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Biology stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Chemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Chemistry stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Environmental Science stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Environmental Science stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Environmental Science stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Physics stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Physics stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Physics stream) with Professional Placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Physics stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Physics stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Physics stream) with Professional Placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Biology stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Biology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Biology stream) with Professional Placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Chemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Chemistry stream) with Professional Placement (Year 2)

PH20060 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Physics
  • USXX-AFB03 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 2)
  • USXX-AAB04 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USXX-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USXX-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 2)
  • USXX-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USXX-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Year long work placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.