Chabot College
Fall 2005
Course Outline for Physics 5
Modern PHYSICS
Catalog Description:
5 - Modern Physics
3 units
Special relativity and modern physics, including photons, quantum mechanics, atoms, solids, nuclear
physics, particle physics and cosmology. Prerequisite: Physics 4B (completed with grade of C or higher).
3 hours lecture.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
Before entering the course, the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
analyze and solve a variety of problems often using calculus in topics such as:
a.
mechanical waves;
b.
electrostatics;
c.
electric potential and potential energy;
d.
electric currents and DC circuits;
e.
magnetism;
f.
electromagnetic induction;
g.
alternating circuits;
operate standard laboratory equipment;
analyze laboratory data;
write comprehensive laboratory reports.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1.
analyze and solve a variety of problems often using qualitative reasoning and calculus in topics such
as:
a.
special relativity;
b.
quantum physics;
c.
wave mechanics;
d.
atomic physics;
e.
solid state physics;
f.
nuclear physics;
g.
particle physics;
h.
astrophysics and cosmology;
Course Content:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Special relativity
Quantum physics
Wave mechanics
Atomic physics
Solid State physics
Nuclear physics
Particle physics
Astrophysics and cosmology
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
Lecture and discussion.
Problem solving.
Demonstrations.
Chabot College
Course Outline for Physics 5, page 2
Fall 2005
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
Typical Assignments
a.
Weekly homework/question sets
1) In a color television tube, electrons are accelerated through a potential difference of
20,000 volts. With what velocity do the electrons strike the screen?
2) Find the momentum and speed of a proton whose kinetic energy equals its rest
2
energy. (The mass of a proton is 938 Mev/c ).
3) The period of a pendulum is 2.0 s in a stationary inertial frame of reference. What is
its period when measured by an observer moving at a speed of 0.6 c with respect to
the inertial frame of reference?
4) A supertrain (rest-length = 100 m) travels at a speed of 0.95 cas it passes through a
tunnel (rest-length 50 m). As seen by a trackside observer, is the train ever
completely within the tunnel? If so, by how much?
5) Fireworks go off at the same time according to earth clocks in two cities, Alum and
Boron, that are 300 km apart. The people in a space ship that is flying in a straight
line from Alum to Boron at 0.8c also observe the fireworks. Do they see the fireworks
in the two cities simultaneously? If not, how long before or after they see the fireworks
at Alum do they see the fireworks at Boron? (The spaceship is directly over Alum
when the fireworks flash.)
b.
Special exercise worksheets, problem review, and computer simulations and tutorials; both
individuals and group activities and research papers
c.
Participation in email and web-based instruction, discussion and tutorials. Internet research
on topics dealing with physics, its applications to technology, and its social and
environmental implications.
2.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a.
Quizzes
b.
Midterm examinations
c.
Final examination
Textbook(s) (Typical):
University Physics with Modern Physics, Young and Freedman, Pearson/Addison Wesley , 2004
Modern Physics, Jeremy Bernstein, Paul M. Fishbane, Stephen G. Gasiorowicz, Prentice Hall, 2000
Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers, John Taylor, Chris Zafiratos, Michael A. Dubson,
Prentice Hall, 2003
Modern Physics, Ralph Llewellyn, Paul A. Tipler, W. H. Freeman & Co., 2002
Special Student Materials:
None.
NA:al
Revised: 1/2005