The University of Hong Kong
Department of Physics
PHYS2265 Modern Physics/
PHYS2627 Introductory Quantum Physics
2015 Spring Course Outlines
Course title:
PHYS2265 Modern Physics (4-yr curriculum) or
PHYS2627 Introductory Quantum Physics (3-year curriculum)
Course website:
http://www.physics.hku.hk/~phys2265
Aim:
This course covers the foundation of modern physics in one semester. It
serves as a core course for students who are planning to take physics,
astronomy, or mathematics/physics as major. It also serves students who
intend to take physics as minor. Both conceptual ideas and mathematical
treatment in modern physics are emphasized.
Instructor:
Dr. Judy F. K. Chow
(Office: Room 104C, CYM Physics Bldg;
Tel: 22194265; E-mail: judychow@hku.hk)
Tutors:
Mr. Xie Lu
(Office: Room 311A, CYM Physics Bldg;
E-mail: xlxm@mail.ustc.edu.cn)
Prerequisites:
PHYS2265: Pass in PHYS1250 Fundamental physics or PHYS1050
Physics for engineering students
PHYS2627: Pass in PHYS1413 or PHYS1414 or PHYS1415 or
PHYS1417; and Not for students who have already passed in PHYS1314
before.
Classes:
This course consists of 36 hours of lectures plus 8 hours of tutorials and 6
hours of laboratory work. The arrangement for the tutorials and laboratory
will be announced in the first teaching week. As most of the concepts in
this course are highly abstract and counter-intuitive, students are
strongly encouraged to attend the tutorials and to spend a substantial
amount of time in solving problems on their own.
1
Laboratory work:
Students taking this course need to conduct two experiments in Physics
Laboratory HOC203 which would contribute 15% of the final grade of
this course. The details about the registration of laboratory will be
announced in the first teaching week.
Evaluation:
Assignment:
One two-hour written examination
50%
Tests
25%
Laboratory work
15%
Assignments
10%
There will be about five assignments. Please drop your assignment into
the assignment box on the first floor of CYM physics building. No late
assignment will be accepted.
Textbook:
R. Harris: Modern Physics (Pearson, 2014, 2nd edition)
References:
(1) K. Krane: Modern Physics (John Wiley & Sons, 2012, 3rd edition)
(2) R. A. Serway, C. J. Moses, and C. A. Moyer: Modern Physics
(Brooks Cole, 2004, 3rd edition)
(3) P. A. Tipler and G. Mosca: Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Extended Version (Freeman, 2008, 6th edition)
(4) R. Eisberg and R. Resnick: Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules,
Solids, Nuclei, and Particles (John Wiley & Sons, 1985)
Prior Knowledge:
It will be beneficial if students have prior knowledge in:
 Mechanics: Circular motion and angular momentum
 Electromagnetism: Magnetic force and magnetic dipole
 Waves: Travelling waves, standing waves, and wave equations
 Mathematics: Complex numbers and differential equations
2
Teaching Plan
Week
21
22
23
24
25
27
Date
19 Jan
21 Jan
26 Jan
28 Jan
2 Feb
4 Feb
9 Feb
11 Feb
16 Feb
Introduction
The Birth of Modern Physics [1]
Wave Properties of Particles [1]
Wave Properties of Particles [2]
Wave Properties of Particles [3]
Particle Properties of Waves [1]
Particle Properties of Waves [2]
The Schrodinger Equation [1]
The Schrodinger Equation [2]
18 Feb
2 Mar
Solutions of Time-Independent Schrodinger Equation I [1]
Solutions of Time-Independent Schrodinger Equation I [2]
Solutions of Time-Independent Schrodinger Equation I [3]
4 Mar
16 Mar
29
18 Mar
23 Mar
30
31
32
33
34
35
Topics
25 Mar
30 Mar
1 Apr
6 Apr
8 Apr
13 Apr
15 Apr
20 Apr
22 Apr
27 Apr
29 Apr
Test 1
No class
Solutions of Time-Independent Schrodinger Equation I [4]
Solutions of Time-Independent Schrodinger Equation II [1]
Solutions of Time-Independent Schrodinger Equation II [2]
Solutions of Time-Independent Schrodinger Equation II [3]
Structure of the Atom [1]
Structure of the Atom [2]
Structure of the Atom [3]
No class
The Hydrogen Atom [1]
Test 2
The Hydrogen Atom [2]
The Hydrogen Atom [3]
Many-Electron Atoms [1]
Many-Electron Atoms [2]
Many-Electron Atoms [3]
Revision
3