Modern Physics
PHYS 351
Dr. Mahmoud Ahmad
Room 1,3 Physics Dep.
m.ahmad@mu.edu.sa
http://faculty.mu.edu.sa/mahmad
Course Description
Introduction to Modern Physics. An elementary survey
of the modern concepts in physics and their applications:
relativity, blackbody radiation, the Bohr atom, particles and
waves, quantum mechanics, atoms, molecules, solids,
statistical mechanics, radioactivity, nuclei, and elementary
particles.
“Modern physics is not really concerned with ‘things,’ but with the mathematical
relations between certain abstractions which are the residue of the vanished
things.”—A. Koestler
Text
The text is Concepts of Modern Physics, sixth edition, by
Arthur Beiser, McGraw-Hill, publisher.
This book is designed to follow the standard semester
introductory, calculus-based, classical physics course.
An understanding of the concepts of calculus is prerequisite.
The necessary differential equations and wave mechanics
are explained as needed.
Schedule
Modern Physics 351 meets from 10:00-1:00 Monday.
There are scheduled test and midterm examinations:
Comprehensive Final Examination
See the syllabus for other important staff.
The quizzes and midterm examinations are …20 points each.
They will cover concepts and definitions, assigned problems
with minor numerical changes, and problems similar to those
assigned.
You may use any calculator containing any information you
want.
The final examination will consist of multiple choice questions
and multiple choice short problems, and is 40 points.
About 100% of the final exam will be taken from the chapters
we have been covered .
Homework
The homework for this course consists of problems and
examples from the text. Specific homework assignments are
given later. Homework is "due" (i.e., quizzable) after the last
lecture for each chapter.
Homework will be handed in. Nevertheless, the
homework is critical, because your mastery of quizzes and
hour exams will depend upon your mastery of the homework.
If you don't do the homework, you won't do well on
the quizzes and on the exams.
Because this is a survey course, we will review many topics in
a relatively short time. You are urged to form a study group
to help you master the large amount of material covered in
this course.
Quizzes
quizzes will be given during the semester. The quizzes will
test your comprehension of recently assigned lecture material
and homework.
Each quiz will be worth 5 points. Quizzes will not necessarily
be announced in advance. Numerical constants and equations
required for the quizzes will be given to you with each quiz.
The quizzes are closed-book, closed-notes, but you may use
any calculator you wish.
Actions To Avoid
Not reading this syllabus.
Not doing the homework, and then complaining because you
can't do the quizzes and exams.
Course Material on the Web
http://faculty.mu.edu.sa/mahmad
Good Luck