The City College of New York Department of Physics Physics 32100 Modern Physics for Engineers Spring 2021
Syllabus
Instructor: Swapan K. Gayen, Professor of Physics
Office: CDI 2.380 (Normal); Virtual (During Covid-19)
Phone: (212) 650-5580 (Office)
E-mail:
sgayen@ccny.cuny.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday 3:30 – 4:30 PM and Friday, 1.30 – 2.30 P.M. (online).
Communication: You may email me, and I will try to respond within 24 hours.
Course Description (from Bulletin)
Introductory historical background, elementary quantum theory, application to one-electron atoms, atomic shell structure and periodic table; nuclear physics, relativity and statistical mechanics. Concepts, quantitative work and problem sets are emphasized. Prereq.: Physics 20800 or equivalent, Math 20300 or 20900 (elective for Engineering students). 3 lect. hr./wk.; 3 cr.
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites: Physics 20800 or equivalent, Math 20300 or 20900
Class Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday 2:00 – 3:15 P.M. (Zoom sessions)
Textbook: 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) (Required)
Course Objectives
After successfully completing this course, students should be able to:
1. Understand and apply special theory relativity to relativistic mechanics.
2. Understand the role of the important experiments in elucidating the nature of atoms and of light.
3. Understand the Bohr model of hydrogen atom and quantization of atomic energy levels.
4. Understand elements of quantum mechanics: wave functions, uncertainty relations, Schrodinger Equation, etc.
5. Appreciate important examples of quantized systems: potential well, harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom, etc.
6. Understand the significance of the Pauli Exclusion Principle, atomic shell structure and the periodic table.
7. Understand the phenomena associated with the structure of nuclei and radioactivity.
8. Understand elements of statistical mechanics.
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Course Outline and Schedule
Week
Text Chapter &Topic
Reading
Ch. (Section)
Homework Problems (Additional problems strongly encouraged)
1
Introduction; Ch. 1 Relativity
1 (1-14)
1 (15, 24, 26, 27, 33, 36, 39, 45)
2
Ch. 2 Relativistic Mechanics
2 (1-8)
2 (2, 8, 19, 20, 24, 27, 31, 36, 37, 40)
3
Ch. 3 Atoms
3(1-6, 10-12)
3 (4, 10, 14, 18, 20, 47)
4
Ch. 4 Nature of Light, Wave-Particle Duality
Test #1 Chapters 1-4
4 (1-7)
4 (3, 4, 12, 18, 19, 24, 25, 29)
5
Ch. 5 Atomic Energy Levels, Bohr Atom Model
5 (1-10)
5 (2, 4, 8, 10, 13, 16)
6
Ch. 6 Matter Waves, Wave Function, Uncertainty Principle
6 (1-9)
6 (2, 6, 10, 14, 22, 26, 43, 46)
7-8
Ch. 7 Schrodinger Equation in One Dimension (1-D), Harmonic Oscillator
7 (1- 10)
7 (2, 16, 29, 30, 48, 50, 52)
8-9
Ch. 8 Schrodinger Equation in 3-D, H-atom, Angular Momentum
8 (1-10)
8 (9, 10,15, 20, 22, 24, 44, 46)
10
Ch. 9 Electron Spin
Test #2 Chapters 5-9
9 (1-6)
9 (2, 4, 10, 12, 16)
11
Ch. 10: Multielectron atoms; the Pauli Principle, Periodic Table
10 (1-8)
10 (3,5, 8, 13, 14, 18, 24, 26)
12
Ch. 16 Atomic Nuclei
16 (1-8)
16 (2, 6,10, 12, 20, 34, 40, 48)
13
Ch. 17 Radioactivity, Nuclear Reactions
17 (1-4,6-8)
17 (2, 4, 13, 18, 22, 39, 40, 42, 44, 48, 53)
14
Ch. 15 Statistical Mechanics
15 (1-4)
15 (2, 4, 10, 16, 27)
5/17/2021
Last day of classes
Review
5/19-5/25
Final Examination
Assessment/Grading Policy
Two in-class tests 2 x 20%, Short Quiz: 10%, Homework 10%, Cumulative final (40%)
Assignments and Activities
Homework: 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 deadlines.
Short Quizzes: Several synchronous short quizzes (15 minutes each) will be given,
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commonly one after completing a major topic.
Tests: Two synchronous in-class tests will be given. Final Exam will be synchronous, and cumulative. Each in-class test will count 20% and the final will count 40% towards the final grade.
Test Proctoring Statement from CCNY Provost: Students enrolling in this section of this course should be aware that the instructor may choose to require your computer’s camera on during examinations and may choose to use proctoring software during exams.
Course Organization
Course Materials: Materials covered in the course are broken down into weekly reading, developing understanding and problem solving activities as outlined in the schedule.
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 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: Black Board (BB) 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: You will need a computer with reasonable audio and video capabilities and a dependable Internet access to take online courses. 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
.
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
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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.
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
Last Updated: 01/27/2021 12:17