Spring 2022 Syllabus Physics 20900


The City College of New York
Department of Physics
Physics 20900 BC University Physics III Spring 2022
Syllabus
Instructor: Swapan K. Gayen, Professor of Physics
Office: CDI 2.380
Phone: (212) 650-5580 (Office)
E-mail: sgayen@ccny.cuny.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday 11:00 A.M. –12:00 Noon. (Room: CDI 2.380)
Thursday 4:15 –5:15 P.M
Communication: Black board and email. You may email me and I will respond within
24 – 48 hours
Course Description
Required core for physics majors
Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of wave motion, physical optics, and modern physics
Topics include: Wave equation, Electromagnetic Waves, Dispersion; Interference, Diffraction, Polarization; Special Theory of Relativity; Particle properties of Waves, Photoelectric Effect, Compton Effect; Wave Properties of Particles, Wave-particle duality; The Nuclear Atom, Bohr Model, Franck-Hertz Experiment; The Schrodinger Equation, Harmonic Oscillator, Hydrogen Atom; Atomic Physics; Molecular Structure and Atomic Spectra; Structure of Solids, Conduction; Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Structure, Nuclear Force, Radioactivity.
Prerequisite: Physics 20800 or equivalent, Math 21300; 4 lect. hr./wk.; 4 cr.
Class Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday 2:00 – 3:40 P.M. (In-Person) Room: MS 417S
Readings & Resources
Textbook
 Fundamentals of Physics, 10th Edition (Extended), Halliday, Resnick and Walker, Wiley,
ISBN 978-1-118-23072-5 (Extended edition) Binder-ready version ISBN 978-1-118-23061-9 (Extended edition)" (Required) [Same text used for Physics 20700 and Physics 20800. However, only the Extended edition contains Modern Physics topics.]
References
 Optics (4th Edition) by Eugene Hecht, Addison Wesley (ISBN 0-8053-8566-5)
 Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers (2nd Edition) by John R. Taylor, Chris D. Zafiratos, and Michael A. Dubson, Pearson/Prentice Hall (ISBN 0-13-805715-X)
Additional Materials
 Some journal articles will be discussed. Those will be made available in the content area of the Black Board.
Course Objectives
After successfully completing this course, students should be able to:
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a. Understand attributes of electromagnetic waves and their propagation: reflection, refraction, dispersion.
b. Understand and solve simple problems involving interference and diffraction of light, interferometers
c. Understand solve problems involving polarization: polarizers, dichroism, birefringence, etc.
d. Understand and apply special theory relativity to relativistic mechanics
e. Understand the role of important experiments in elucidating the nature of atoms, light, and matter
f. Understand the Bohr model of hydrogen atom and quantization of atomic energy levels
g. Understand elements of quantum mechanics, wave functions; set up and solve Schrodinger equation for simple systems, such as, potential wells and barriers, simple harmonic oscillator, and hydrogen atom
h. Understand Pauli Exclusion Principle, atomic structure and molecular spectra and basics of laser
i. Understand and solve problems involving nuclear size, binding energy, and radioactivity
j. Understand structure of solids, energy bands, conduction etc.
Course Outline
A. Physical Optics
 Electromagnetic Waves: Wave Equation in three-dimension; Transverse wave, Energy, Momentum, Poynting vector
 Propagation of Electromagnetic waves: Scattering, Reflection, Refraction, Fresnel Equations, Dispersion
 Polarization: Linear, Circular, Elliptical, Representation as superposition of two orthogonal components; Dichroism, Birefringence, Retarders
 Interference: Review of Young’s Double-Slit Experiment, Coherence, Thin-Film interference, Interferometers (Michelson and Fabry-Perot)
 Diffraction: Fraunhofer Diffraction, Review of Single-slit and double-slit experiments; Multiple-slit diffraction, Intensity distribution; Diffraction grating
B. Modern Physics
 Special Theory of Relativity, Lorentz Transformation, Relativistic Mechanics, Energy and Momentum
 Particle Properties of Waves, Photoelectric Effect, Compton Effect
 Wave Properties of Particles, de Broglie Waves, Wave-Particle Duality
 The Nuclear Atom, Bohr Model, Franck-Hertz Experiment
 The Schrodinger Equation, Potential Well, Potential Barrier
 Quantum Theory of Harmonic Oscillator and Hydrogen Atom
 Atomic Physics, Many Electron Atoms, Pauli Principle, Periodic Table; Lasers
 Molecular Structure and Spectra
 Structure of Solids, Conduction
 Nuclear Physics: Nuclear Structure, Nuclear Force, Radioactivity
Assignment, Assessment, and Grading
 Homework Sets: 20%
 Short Quizzes: 10%
 In-class Tests (2) 40% (2 X 20% each)
 Cumulative Final 30%
Total: 100%
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Assignments and Activities
 Homework: Several homework sets will be assigned throughout the semester. Solving the homework problems is crucial for success in the course. The problems in the tests will relate to the concepts covered in the homework problems and in the worked out problems in the class and in the textbook. Homework assignments have to be submitted within the deadline.
 Short Quizzes: Several synchronous short quizzes (10-15 minutes each) will be given, commonly one after completing a major topic.
 Tests: Two synchronous in-class tests will be given. Each test will count 20% towards the final grade. Final will be synchronous, cumulative and carry 30% weight.
Course Organization
 Course Materials: Materials covered in the course are organized into two broad areas: Physical Optics and Modern Physics. Approximately 50% time will be devoted to topics belonging to these areas.
 Attendance: Class sessions will focus on discussion of concepts, derivation of key formulae, as well as, problem solving. Regular attendance, on-time arrival, and participation in entire class sessions are required. Absence in a test without prior permission, or verifiable unavoidable circumstances (such as, sickness, emergency, etc.) will result in a score of “0” for the test.
 Study Tips: To derive maximum benefit from lectures, please read the material indicated in the schedule before the class. To be up to date, please go through the lecture notes, textbook, and rewrite your lecture notes before the next class. To develop comprehension of the materials and to be able to use those, solve the homework problems, and engage your classmates and instructor in discussions. While individual efforts may vary, on the average expect to spend 6-10 hours per week, studying, discussing and solving problems, in addition to the time spent in lecture.
 Communication and Access: Other than the class room and face-to-face office hours, Black Board (BB), Zoom and E-mail will be our principal modes of communication and interaction. You may want to check that your Black Board access is in place. If you need any support, please contact CCNY Black Board Support by phone at (212) 650-6990 or/and by email at bbsupport@ccny.cuny.edu .
You may also want to brush up your BB skills by visiting and consulting the site https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/it/blackboardguides
 Technology Requirement: It is recommended that you have a computer with reasonable audio and video capabilities and a dependable Internet access that enable you to attend online classes and office hour, if necessary. While CCNY is committed that in-person classes will continue in that mode throughout the semester, situations may arise (such as, instructor gets sick, pandemic situation worsens) when the classes may have to go online temporarily. If you do not have your own computer and need to borrow one, please contact CCNY Laptop Loaner Program by phone at (212) 650-5480 or/and e-mail at: iMEDIA@ccny.cuny.edu .
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General Information
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism: The CCNY Policy on Academic Integrity will be strictly adhered to. The document entitled, “CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity” is available at https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/legal-affairs/policie…. Make sure you have read the details regarding plagiarism and cheating, and be clear about the rules that the college follows. Cases where academic integrity is compromised will be prosecuted to the fullest extent according to these rules.
Please note use of external help including use of services, such as, Chegg for solving homework problems, exams and quizzes is considered cheating, and will be treated as such. Considerations pertaining to COVID-19: The ongoing pandemic poses challenges and needs individuals to make adjustments for safety and public health. Two most relevant CUNY recommendations are:
 COVID-19 vaccines will be required for CUNY students to attend in-person classes for the Spring 2022 semester. Alternative is regular testing.
 Wear a face mask inside all CUNY campuses and office buildings. This includes while taking classes, working in a non-enclosed space such as a cubicle or other open seating, regardless of physical distance from others.
Please see the attached memo which provides current directives. However, guidelines may change during the semester. To be up to date, please pay particular attention to the following important note from CCNY Vice-President of operations below.
FRIENDLY REMINDER: With the ever-changing COVID climate and CUNY/CCNY guidance updates, please be reminded that all "return to campus" and COVID-related information can be found on the CCNY Return to Campus subsite . It is highly recommended that you bookmark this page, and/or subscribe to RSS feeds of content sections to ensure quick and easy access to relevant content.
Accommodations for students with disabilities: Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable academic accommodations if determined eligible by the CCNY Accessibility Center / Student Disability Services (AAC/SDS). Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student’s eligibility from the AAC/SDS, which is located in NAC 1/218. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate contact with the AAC/SDS and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor. AAC/SDS may be contacted by phone at (212) 650-5913; TTY/TTD: (212) 650-844, and by email at: disabilityservices@ccny.cuny.edu
CUNY Chancellor’s Memo to Students
January 25, 2022
Dear CUNY student,
As we look forward to the Spring 2022 semester, which begins this Friday for most CUNY colleges, I wanted to take a moment to remind you that students enrolled in any in-person or hybrid class will be required to get the COVID-19 booster shot when they become eligible. Governor Hochul announced this policy recently knowing that the booster provides additional protection against the virus and its variants and that vaccines are the best weapon we have to contain the spread of COVID-19 and safeguard our health and that of our community.
Here’s how the booster mandate will work:
If you are eligible for the booster on January 28: You must upload proof of receiving the additional shot to CUNYfirst no later than March 1. This deadline applies even if your college’s spring semester begins in March.
If you become eligible after January 28, but before the end of the semester: You will have 30 days after you become eligible to get the booster and upload proof to CUNYfirst.
You will become eligible for the booster:
 five months after the second shot of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine
 two months after the single Johnson & Johnson vaccine
The CDC recommends you choose the Pfizer or Moderna booster in most situations, regardless of which shot you received. Learn more about the booster shot and find a site near you here: ny.gov/booster.
Instructions on uploading your booster proof are available here. If you attended in-person or hybrid courses this past fall and already uploaded proof of your first vaccines, you will have to add the booster shot — unless you have an approved exception or exemption.
Students who miss the deadline will not be able to register for Summer 2022 or Fall 2022 classes.
Continue to stay updated on our COVID-19 guidelines by visiting our
website: cuny.edu/coronavirus.
Knowing that I will be able to see so many of you in-person brings me great joy. Best of luck to you this semester!
Sincerely,
Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, Ph.D.
Chancellor

Last Updated: 02/01/2022 08:59