Phy 360 – Introduction to Modern Physics

 

Fall Semester 2007

 

Hours: MWF 10:10-11

Room 109

 

Instructor: Kenneth Voss

Office: JLK Physics Building, rm 304

phone: 305 284 2323 ext 2

e-mail: voss@physics.miami.edu

 

Office hours:  Monday 1-2, Wed 11-12. 

Note: These are just official office hour times.  I am in my office many more hours and you are welcome to ask me questions if you find me there.  Alternatively you can call or e-mail and set up an appointment.

 

Text Book: Tipler and Llewellyn, Modern Physics, wanted 5th edition, but work with 4th or 5th.

 

Grades:  There will be three mid term exams and a final exam:

 

15% each mid term exam

30% final exam

25% homework

 

Class attendence: This is mandatory.  I will follow the book to some extent, but will bring in other text and information which you will be responsible for.  Absences will strongly affect your final grade.

 

Homework:  Homework assignments will be given out during each class.  In general on each Monday I will collect a weeks worth of assignments (ending the previous Wed).  The assignments, and their due dates, will be posted on the class web page.

 

There will be a class web page, linked to my home page (accessible through the department home page, www.physics.miami.edu, or my research home page, www.optics.physics.miami.edu).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class schedule:

This schedule is approximate.  We will have to see how the semester/class goes (and hurricane season).  The schedule is based on the class my class last fall.

 

Week   Date                             subject                         chapter             Classes

1          8/22-24                        special relativity                       1          1,2

 

2          8/27 – 8/31                  special relativity                       1,2       3-5

 

3          9/5-7                            special relativity                       2          6-7

 

4          9/10-14                        Quantum Theory of light         3          8-10

 

5          9/17-21                        quantum theory of light           3,4       11-12

 

MidTerm 1                             Test 9/19

 

6          9/24-28                        Bohr atom, matter waves         4,5       13-15

 

7          10/1-5                          Schrodinger Equation              5,6       16-18

 

8          10/8-12                        quantum mechanics                 7,8       19-21

 

MidTerm 2                             Test 10/10

 

9          10/15-17                      Molecular structure                 9          22-24

 

10        10/22-26                      nuclear structure                      11        25-27

 

11        10/29-11/2                   Nuclear reactions                     12        28-30

 

12        11/5-9                          elementary particles                 13        31-32

 

Midterm 3                              Test 11/14

 

13        11/12-16                      Cosmology                              16        33-35

 

14        11/19-21                      Modern Optics                                    36-38

 

15        11/26-11/30                 probably catch up                                39-41

 

FINAL, Wednesday, Dec 5th, 8-10:30 AM