PHYSICS 273

COURSE OUTLINE

FALL 2010

 

 Chapter 1

 

Aug. 30

Introduction, Schrödinger Equation, Probability.

Sep. 1

Probability, Expectation Values, Normalization.

Sep. 3

Position & Momentum Operators, Algebra of Operators, "Bag o' tricks".

 Chapter 2

 

Sep. 8

General TDSE solution, Particle in a Box.

Sep 10

Particle in a Box.

Sep. 13

Harmonic Oscillator – Algebraic Method.

Sep. 15

Harmonic Oscillator – Algebraic Method.

Sep. 17

Harmonic Oscillator – Analytic Method.

Sep. 20

Harmonic Oscillator – Analytic Method.

Sep. 22

Free Particles.

Sep. 24

Delta function potential.

Sep. 27

"Cliff" potential, Square Well.

Sep. 29

Square Well.

 Chapter 3

 

Oct. 1

Hilbert Space, Dirac Notation, Matrices

Oct. 4

Eigenvectors, Eigenvalues, Hermitian Transformations.

Oct. 6

Function Spaces, Continuous Spectra.

Oct. 8

Generalized Statistical Interpretation.

Oct. 11

Uncertainty Principle.

 Chapter 4

 

Oct. 13

QM in 3-D, Particle in a Box, Hydrogen Atom.

Oct. 15

Hydrogen Atom.

Oct. 18

Hydrogen Atom.

Oct. 20

Hydrogen Atom.

Oct. 22

Hydrogen Atom.

Oct. 25

Angular Momentum.

Oct. 27

Angular Momentum.

Oct. 29

Angular Momentum.

Nov. 1

Spin.

Nov. 3

Spin.

Nov. 5

Electron in a Magnetic Field.

Nov. 8

Addition of Angular Momenta.

Nov. 10

Addition of Angular Momenta.

Nov. 12

Addition of Angular Momenta.

 Chapter 5

 

Nov. 15

Identical Particles, Bosons & Fermions.

Nov. 17

Exchange Forces.

Nov. 19

Exchange Forces.

Nov. 29

Solids, Free-Electron Gas.

Dec. 1

Band Structure.

Dec. 3

Band Structure.

Dec. 6

EPR Paradox and Bell’s Theorem.

Dec. 8

Mermin’s “Reality Machine”. Course evaluation.

 Dec. 11 (Saturday)

 Final Exam, 1:30 - 4:15.