ESSENTIALS OF MODERN PHYSICS
PHY 320 Fall 2007
INSTRUCTOR: Maria Cristina Babiuc-Hamilton
OFFICE: Science 257/281/100
e-MAIL: babiuc@marshall.edu
URL: http://artemis.phyast.pitt.edu/~maria/Teaching.html
PHONE: 696-2754
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Other times by arrangement.
PREREQUISITES: MTH 230 and (PHY 203 or PHY 213)
CO-REQUISITE: PHY 421
TEXTBOOK: Modern Physics by Serway/Moses/Moyer
DESCRIPTION: In this intensive course, we will cover some of the most amazing discoveries in
physics. Although the material is fascinating, it is often non-intuitive, and hard
to grasp. Therefore I will try to give you a deeper understanding of the
fundamental concepts, as well as building your problem-solving skills.
We will study how observations and experiments changed our ideas of space
and time, of particles and waves, and of the structure of matter.
Topics covered will be: special relativity, the quantum theory of light, the
particle nature of matter and matter waves, quantum mechanics and tunneling
phenomena, statistical physics, atomic, molecular and nuclear structure, the
solid state, and elementary particles.
GRADING:
Homework 10%
Class Participation 10%
First Exam 25 %
Second Exam 25%
Final Exam 30%
I will use a 10 points scale, with A>90%, 89%> B>80%, 79%>C>70%,
69%> D>60%, and F<60%. Within each letter’s range, the upper two percentage
points will be a “plus” and the lower two will be a “minus”.
HOMEWORK: Regular homework problem assignment will be made. The homework will be
graded and collected on their due date. Late homework will not be accepted.
For full credit, the homework problem solution should be written in pencil only, on
standard notebook-size paper, one side only, with each problem started on a
new page, clearly state the formula/physical principle being used, show
substitution of numerical values, and have a clearly marked final answer with
units when appropriate.
ATTENDANCE: I strongly recommend that you attend class. There are 29 lectures, and 3
examinations. You should plan to attend at least 25 lectures for maximum grade.
EXAMINATION: All exams will be COMPREHENSIVE and CLOSED BOOK. You will be
allowed to bring a formula sheet on a notebook-size paper and nonprogrammable, non-graphing calculators. Each exam will consist of problems
similar to those at the end of each chapter of the textbook and those assigned for
homework.
Final exam cannot be given early or late to accommodate individual schedules
and will not be rescheduled.
ADA STATEMENT: Students with disabilities who need special accommodations must contact
me in the first two weeks of school and the DSS Office. It is the student
responsibility to do this as soon as possible after the DSS has verified the need
for accommodations to ensure that such accommodations are implemented as
soon as possible.
SUPPLEMENTARY READING:
Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers, by John R. Taylor and Chris D.
Zafiratos
Modern Physics by Kenneth Krane
COURSE OUTLINE:
Nr.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Week
Aug. 20 – Aug. 24
Aug. 27 – Aug. 31
Sep. 03 – Sep. 07
Sep. 10 – Sep. 14
Sep. 17 – Sep. 21
Sep. 24 – Sep. 28
Oct. 01 – Oct. 05
Oct. 08 – Oct. 12
Oct. 15 – Oct. 19
Oct. 22 – Oct. 26
Oct. 29 – Nov. 02
Nov. 05 – Nov. 09
Nov. 12 – Nov. 16
Nov. 19 – Nov. 23
Nov. 26 – Nov. 30
Dec. 03 – Dec. 07
Dec. 10 – Dec 11
Tuesday
Sec. 1.1 to Sec. 1.3
Sec. 2.1 to Sec. 2.3
Sec. 3.1 to Sec. 3.3
Sec. 4.1 to Sec. 4.3
Sec. 5.1 to Sec. 5.3
MIDTERM 1 Sep 25
Sec. 6.4 to Sec. 6.6
Sec. 7.1 to Sec. 7.2
Sec. 9.4 to Sec. 9.7
Sec. 11.1 to Sec. 11.3
Sec. 12.1 to Sec. 12.3
MIDTERM 2 Nov 6
Sec. 13.4 to Sec. 13.6
Sec. 14.4 to Sec. 14.7
Sec. 14.8 to Sec. 14.10
Sec. 15.4 to Sec. 15.7
FINAL Dec. 11
Thursday
Sec. 1.4 to Sec. 1.3
Sec. 2.4 to Sec. 2.5
Sec. 3.4 to Sec. 3.7
Sec. 4.4 to Sec. 4.5
Sec. 5.4 to Sec. 5.7
Sec. 6.1 to Sec. 6.3
Sec. 6.7 to Sec. 6.8
Sec. 9.1 to Sec. 9.3
Sec. 10.1 to Sec. 10.5
Sec. 11.4 to Sec. 11.5
Sec. 12.4 to Sec. 12.7
Sec. 13.1 to Sec. 13.3
Sec. 14.1 to Sec. 14.3
Thanksgiving, no class
Sec. 15.1 to Sec. 15.3
Sec. 15.8 – 15.12