Physics PHYS 356
Quantum Mechanics
Spring Semester 2015
(4 credit hours)
Syllabus
Instructor:
Office Hours:
Schedule:
Brandon Hoffman
Text:
A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics by John S. Townsend,
University Science Books, 2000. (ISBN13: 978-1-891389-13-9)
Description:
Modern quantum mechanics with an emphasis on matrix methods. Topics
to be covered include time evolution, harmonic oscillators, angular
momentum, central potentials, the hydrogen atom and perturbation theory.
Prerequisites: PHYS 212, MATH 241, pre/co-requisite MATH 261.
Objectives:
I have several objectives for this class:
Lecture
MWF
MWF
Rm. P-107
2:00 – 3:00PM
8:40AM – 9:45AM
Ext. 2350
Rm. P-107
Rm. P-204
1. I would like for you to display a mastery of the course content at an
appropriate level for a modern physics course. By this I mean you
will have a ready command of the ideas and information covered in
class.
2. I would like to see you develop the ability to apply abstract ideas to
concrete problems. This will require you to develop your skills of
thinking precisely, logically and clearly. It will also require you to
perhaps develop a greater degree of mathematical sophistication in
your approach to problems.
3. It is my hope that you will develop the ability to think scientifically,
that is, that you will develop the habit of mind to always ask
yourself “how do I know this is true?” with experiment being the
final arbiter in questions of a scientific nature.
4. I would like you to become aware of God’s glory as it is revealed
through His creation.
Attendance:
Excessive absence from class will have a detrimental effect on assigned
grades. The instructor will decide on a case-by-case basis whether tests can
be made-up.
Homework:
Problem Sets will be assigned on the dates given in the syllabus and are to
be turned in by 5:00pm on the due date.
Late homework will not be accepted.
Reading:
You will be expected to keep up with the assigned textbook reading from
the course syllabus.
Exams:
There will be a midterm and a final examination (both take-home). Makeup examinations will be given only in very unusual circumstances.
Test
Date
Chapters Covered*
Monday, Mar. 16
Midterm
1-9
Monday, Apr. 27
Final
Comprehensive
*Note: only the sections indicated in the syllabus will be tested.
Final Exam:
The final examination will be comprehensive. No deviations from the
college stated time for the final examination will be allowed, except for dire
emergencies. Travel arrangements and weddings do not qualify as dire
emergencies.
Grades:
A grading rubric may be found here:
http://www.houghton.edu/physics/physics-grading-rubric/
The final grade will represent a weighted average of the scores on the
homework, the quizzes, the one-hour tests, and the final exam. The
weighting factors will be as shown below:
Assignment
Percent of grade
Homework
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
TOTAL
70%
15%
15%
100%
Lecture Schedule
1. Monday, Jan. 12
2. Wednesday, Jan. 14
3. Friday, Jan. 16
4. Monday, Jan. 19
5. Wednesday, Jan. 21
6. Friday, Jan. 23
7. Monday, Jan. 26
8. Wednesday, Jan. 28
9. Friday, Jan. 30
10. Monday, Feb. 2
11. Wednesday, Feb. 4
12. Friday, Feb. 6
13. Monday, Feb. 9
14. Wednesday, Feb. 11
15. Friday, Feb. 13
16. Monday, Feb. 16
17. Wednesday, Feb. 18
18. Friday, Feb. 20
19. Monday, Feb. 23
20. Wednesday, Feb. 25
21. Friday, Feb. 27
22. Monday, Mar. 2
23. Wednesday, Mar. 4
24. Friday, Mar. 6
25. Monday, Mar. 9
26. Wednesday, Mar. 11
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The Axioms of Quantum Mechanics
Townsend, Chapter 1
The Stern-Gerlach Experiment
Matrix Representations.
Townsend, Chapter 2
Quantum Mechanical Operators
Problem Set #1
Eigenvalue Equations and Spin
Commutators and Time Evolution
Townsend, Sections 3.1-3.2, Chapter 4
Problem Set #2
Example: Time Evol. of Spin-1/2 Particle in B-Field
Wave Mechanics in One Dimension
Townsend, Chapter 6.1-6.8
Wave Mechanics in One Dimension (continued)
Problem Set #3
Example: Free Particles and the Particle in a Box
Townsend, 6.9
Example: One Dimensional Scattering
Townsend, 6.10
Example: One Dimensional Scattering
The Harmonic Oscillator (the hard way)
Townsend, Chapter 7
Problem Set #4
The Harmonic Oscillator (the hard way, continued)
The Harmonic Oscillator (the hard way, continued)
The Harmonic Oscillator (the easy way)
Angular Momentum.
Townsend, Sections 3.3-3.8, 9.5-9.10
Angular Momentum (the hard way)
Problem Set #5
Topic:
February Break – No Class
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Angular Momentum (the hard way)
Angular Momentum (the easy way)
Addition of Angular Momentum
Townsend, 5.1-5.4
Motion in a Central Potential
Townsend, 9.1-9.3
Example: Spherical Square Wells
Townsend, 10.1, 10.3, 10.4
27. Friday, Mar. 13
28. Monday, Mar. 16
29. Wednesday, Mar. 18
30. Friday, Mar. 20
31. Monday, Mar. 23
32. Wednesday, Mar. 25
33. Friday, Mar. 27
34. Monday, Mar. 30
35. Wednesday, Apr. 1
36. Friday, Apr. 3
37. Monday, Apr. 6
38. Wednesday, Apr. 8
39. Friday, Apr. 10
40. Monday, Apr. 13
41. Wednesday, Apr. 15
42. Friday, Apr. 17
43. Monday, Apr. 20
44. Wednesday, Apr. 22
45. Friday, Apr. 24
46. Monday, April 27
47. Wednesday, Apr. 29
48. Monday, May 4
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Example: Hydrogen Atom
Townsend, 10.2
Problem Set #6
Review
Take Home Midterm Exam
H.E.L.P. Day – No class
Take Home Midterm – No Class
Example: Hydrogen Atom (continued)
Take Home Midterm
Example: Hydrogen Atom (continued)
Time-independent Perturbation Theory
Townsend, 11.1 – 11.3
Example: K.E. Relativistic Correction for Hydrogen
Townsend, 11.6
Problem Set #7
Example: The Stark Effect
Townsend, 11.4
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Easter Break – No Class
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Hydrogen Structure
Townsend, 11.7 – 11.9
Indentcal Particles and the Helium Atom
12.1-12.2
The Helium Atom (continued)
Problem Set #8
Multiple Electron Atoms and the Covalent Bond
12.3-12.5
Scattering and the Born Approximation
13.1-13.2
Example: the Yukawa Potential
13.3
Problem Set #9
The Partial Wave Expansion
13.4-13.5
Catch-up Day
Problem Set #10
Catch-up Day
Take Home Compehensive Final Exam
Take Home Final – No Class
Turn in and Discuss Final Exam
8:00-10:00AM