Physics - Winter 1999

Material covered: Classical Mechanics (motion, Newton's laws, work and energy, momentum, rotation, periodic motion, gravitation). This is roughly the first 13 chapters of University Physics by Young and Freedman, which is the text for the course. (We use calculus a bit more than does the book.)

Intended Audience: The course is designed for students who are at least considering a major in physics. I will therefore frequently touch on some broader aspects of physics which are related to the specific material covered. (This, of course, means that somewhat more of the material for which students will be responsible will not be addressed in lecture.)

Physics 6A covers essentially the same material as Physics 5A. Students for whom the scheduling of 5A is preferable to that of 6A are welcome to take 5A. But they should understand that a sincere interest in physics and a serious commitment to mastering the material is assumed. The criteria for passing Physics- 5A include an understanding of the material appropriate for eventually going on to upper division courses in physics.

New for Physics 5A this year: Each student will enroll in one of three weekly discussion sections. There will be brief quizzes each week in the discussion sections. A passing performance in the discussion section is required for passing the course.

• http://www.es.ucsc.edu/~smf/phys12w99.html

Instructor: Robert Johnson
Office: Nat. Sci. II, Room 323;
Phone: 9-2125; FAX 9-5777
E-mail: johnson@scipp.ucsc.edu

Textbooks:

¥ Required: Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles, 2nd Edition, by R. Eisberg and R. Resnick. Publisher: Wiley.¥ ¥ Recommended: Special Relativity, by A.P. French. Publisher: Norton.¥

This course may be considered to be a continuation of the Physics 5/6 series. It is taught at the introductory level and does not assume pre-existing mathematical sophistication beyond that needed for Physics 5. Some methods for solving second-order linear differential equations (the Schrödinger equation, in particular) will be developed in class. Emphasis will be placed on the physics concepts, the connections with historical experiments, and solving problems related to very simple, idealized systems. Formal theory and the use of more advanced mathematical methods will be left to Physics 110 (Electricity and Magnetism, which includes a treatment of Special Relativity) and 139 (Quantum Mechanics).

The first 1/3 of the course will be concerned with Einsteinís Special Theory of Relativity, plus just a brief discussion of the ideas behind his theory of General Relativity. The remainder will be an introduction to quantum physics, beginning with a historical introduction, followed by applications of the Schrödinger equation to simple systems. Physics 101B, offered the following quarter, will treat further applications of quantum theory to various fields of physics (atoms, solids, nuclei, and particles).

The required textbook includes a short introduction to Special Relativity, including all that we will cover in this course. The recommended text on relativity, however, goes to much greater length to explain the history and ideas behind the theory.

Tentative Syllabus

Week Topics

1

The speed of light and the "ether".

The principle of relativity.

Lorentz transformations, time dilation, simultaneity, length contraction.

2

Examples, addition of velocities, doppler effect. Relativistic energy and momentum.

3

Relativistic kinematics. Compton scattering. Blackbody radiation and Planck's law.

4

Photoelectric and Compton effects. Specific heat of solids.

Atomic spectra. Atomic and nuclear sizes.

5

Bohr's theory of the atom. Franck-Hertz Experiment and Moseley's law.

6

de Broglie waves. Particle-wave duality.

7

Uncertainty principle.

Wave functions and wave packets.

8

Particle in a box. Schrödinger equation in a potential. Time independent Schrödinger equation.

Finite potential well.

9

Barrier penetration. Harmonic oscillator.

Hydrogen atom.

10

Electron spin. L- S coupling. Zeeman Effect.

Physics 155 is describable in two complementary ways. One the one hand, it is the study of the mathematics (esp. quantum mechanics) of spatially periodic systems. Resting on Bloch's theorem, this has a natural elegance and beauty. On the other hand, it is the study of the properties and characteristics of solid matter. Starting with the quantum mechanics of single atoms, one learns how solids work; why some carry electricity easily (metals), others don't (insulators), and some, maybe (semiconductors). This course provides the basis for understanding such diverse topics as: the microscopic origins of magnetism, electronic devices (transistors, PN junctions, LED's...), heat flow in solids, and superconductivity. It is an essential course for physics majors, and for anyone who wishes to understand the microscopic world of atoms and electrons, and the consequences of quantum mechanics in our world.

A reasonable knowledge of basic quantum mechanics (phys 139) and classical mechanics (phys 105) is a necessary prerequisite. The course is taught in a seminar format with a combination of lecture, open discussion, homework, projects, student presentations, etc...The recommended textbook (which is not followed very closely) is Hook and Hall, "Solid State Physics" (Wiley).

Revised 7/27/04.