PHYS 273 - Quantum Mechanics I

PHYS 273 - Quantum Mechanics

Physics 273: Quantum Mechanics

Kelvin Chu

Fall 2011

PHYS 031 - Physics I

Syllabus

Course Description

PHYS 273 is an introduction to nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. Schrodinger equation and applications to simple systems. The prerequisites for this class are PHYS 128 (Waves and Quantum) and PHYS 211 (Mechanics).

We will cover the basic elements of classical mechanics including:

Wave Functions

Time-Independent Schrödinger Equation

Formalism

Quantum Mechanics in Three Dimensions

Lecture is Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1:55 - 2:45 in Cook 402. I will assume you have read the material before class. If you have not, you will not be able to follow the lectures. The material covered in each class is listed on the class schedule.

Textbook

The text we will use is the quantum text being developed by Paradigms in Physics. It is downloadable here (link). We will do chapters 1-9 in this text, which includes material in the following topics:

Ch. 1 - Stern-Gerlach experiment

Ch. 2 - Operators and Measurement

Ch. 3 - Schrödinger Time Evolution

Ch. 4 - Quantum Spookiness

Ch. 5 - Quantized Energies - Particle in a Box

Ch. 6 - Unbound States

Ch. 7 - Angular Momentum

Ch. 8 - Hydrogen Atom

Ch. 9 - Harmonic Oscillator

We will use BlackBoard for notification of grades, surveys and homework solutions. You can to get to your BlackBoard account by going to the UVM portal.

Performance in the class will be evaluated as follows:

Homework (40%)

Hour Exams (2 x 15% each = 30%)

There will be 2 hour exams, each worth 25%.

Final Exam (30%)

The final exam has been scheduled by the registrar on 15 December 2011 from 0730 - 1015.