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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Physics and Astronomy : Undergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy)

Undergraduate Course: Classical and Modern Physics (PHYS08044)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Physics and Astronomy CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course is designed for pre-honours direct entry School of Physics and Astronomy students only and cannot be taken as an outside course.
It provides an introduction to classical dynamics, waves, special relativity and quantum physics.
The course consists of lectures to present new material, and workshops to develop understanding, familiarity and fluency.
Course description Classical Physics (20 lectures)

*Revision of elementary statics & dynamics
- Statics forces, resolution of forces into components. Force diagrams.
- Laws of motion in two and three dimensions: Newton's Laws in vector form. Conservation of linear momentum.
- Concept of reference frames, relative motion, laws of motion in this notation.
- Force/Work relation, conservation of energy (kinetic and potential), dynamic and static friction.

*Further dynamics
- Centre-of-mass of points and solid bodies
- Linear momentum of system of particles, centre-of-mass frame, elastic collision in centre-of-mass frame.
- Full dynamics in one-dimension: use of differential equations, Rocket equations, friction, air resistance etc).
- Rotational motion, torque, angular acceleration and angular momentum of set of particles.
- Moment-of-inertia of sets of particles and rigid bodies, central axis theorem, angular equations of motion, energy relations.

*Waves & vibrations
- Introduction to waves, waves propagating in 1 dimension, the wave equation
- Superposition principle, interference, normal modes, the Fourier principle
- Classical wave theory of light, Huygens principle, diffraction, link to quantum mechanics, Young's slits
- Electromagnetic theory of light, refractive indices, refraction, total internal refraction
- Mechanical waves, Doppler effects, Mechanical vibrations, simple harmonic motion, damping


Modern Physics (20 lectures)

* Special Relativity
- Definition of inertial reference frames and invariance of speed of light (postulates of SR). Michelson Morley experiment. Role of the observer.
- Time dilation and Lorentz contraction. Events. Synchronisation. Moving clocks. Synchronised clocks in one frame viewed from another moving frame.
- Doppler (red shift) and its implications, the Lorentz factor, addition of velocities. Twins paradox. Rod and Shed paradox.
- Geometric formulation of SR (Minkowski Diagrams), and their relation to time dilation, Lorentz contraction, order of events, relativistic Doppler, world lines
- Momentum and relation to mass and energy as a relativistic property.

*Introduction to Quantum Physics
- Planck's radiation formula, Photoelectric effect, Einstein's photon theory
- Compton effect, De Broglie hypothesis, Correspondence Principle
- Bohr atom, atomic spectra
- Wavefunction, probability interpretation, Uncertainty Principle
- Time dependent Schr¨odinger equation, quantum mechanical operators
- Probability density function, outcomes of measurements
- Time independent Schr¨odinger equation, stationary states, eigenfunctions and eigenvalues, commutators
- Solutions of time independent Schr¨odinger equation for unbound states, reflection and transmission coefficients, quantum mechanical tunnelling
- Solutions of time independent Schr¨odinger equation for bound states, quantisation, zero point energy

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Physics 1A: Foundations (PHYS08016) OR Modern Physics (PHYS08045) OR Classical Physics (PHYS08055)
Other requirements Physics and Maths with A* grades in Advance Highers or A-levels (or equivalent)
THIS COURSE IS FOR SCHOOL OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY DIRECT ENTRY STUDENTS ONLY
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. State the basic principles of classical dynamics, special relativity and elementary quantum mechanics and the regimes in which the different theories apply.
  2. Apply these principles in conjunction with elementary mathematical techniques to solve simple problems in classical, relativistic and quantum mechanics.
  3. Present a solution to a physics problem in a clear and logical written form.
  4. Assess whether a solution to a given problem is physically reasonable.
  5. Locate and use additional sources of information (to include discussion with peers where appropriate) to facilitate independent problem-solving.
Learning Resources
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Additional Class Delivery Information Lectures plus workshops
KeywordsCMP
Contacts
Course organiserProf Alex Murphy
Tel: (0131 6)50 5285
Email: a.s.murphy@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Rachel Ord
Tel: (0131 6)50 9110
Email: Rachel.Ord@ed.ac.uk
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