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Sir Isaac Newton
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Ludwig Boltzmann
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Albert Einstein
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Enrico Fermi
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- Welcome
to Physics 244: Modern Physics. This course is primarily for
engineering students, but covers many of the same topics as Physics
241: Introduction to Modern Physics
- Topics Include: Quantum mechanics, atomic structure of matter, physical properties of
solids, nuclear physics; emphasis on fundamental concepts to aid the
student in engineering applications. Prerequisites: Physics 202 or 208. Not open to those who have had Physics 205, or 241.
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Specific Topics
- Wave-particle duality: deBroglie relation, wavepackets,
probability, uncertainty principle
- Wave mechanics: Schroedinger equation, particles in a box,
operators, expectation values, harmonic oscillator, tunneling
- Atomic physics: hydrogen atom, electron spin, periodic
table, atomic spectroscopy, photons in thermal equilibrium
- Molecular physics: chemical bonding, molecular spectra
- Statistical physics: kinetic theory, temperature,
equipartition, Fermi distribution
- Lasers: absorption, stimulated emission, scattering, design
of lasers
- Solid-state physics: crystal structure, electrical
conduction in metals and insulators, magnetism, band theory
- Semiconductors, intrinsic material, effects of doping,
junctions, transistors, semiconductor devices
Course Goals
- learn fundamental physics and apply it to engineering problems
- develop problem-solving skills
Study Tips
- Read text
before lectures.
- Come to lectures, discussions, office hours with questions.
- Work through by
yourself as many
problems as possible.
- The point of physics is derivation from first principles (linking
apparently disconnected ideas).
- Correct reasoning is more important than correct final numbers.
- Math is a language, not the goal.
- If you work on homework with other students (highly recommended!), redo the problems later
by yourself to see if you can
do them on your own.
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