Physics 2170 - Administrative Information

Physics 2170 is an introduction to quantum mechanics, the foundation and explanatory framework of much of modern physics. We will learn some of the history and motivation of quantum theory, and study ways in which "classical" laws of physics must be modified - or even replaced - in order to account for the behavior of atoms and subatomic particles. The emphasis will be on learning the essential concepts of quantum mechanics, through the study of a variety of physical problems.

Here is current class information , including homework assignments, etc.

Physics 2170: Foundations of Modern Physics

Professor: Steven J. Pollock

Phone: 492-2495

Email: Steven.Pollock@Colorado.edu

Office: F419 in the Gamow Tower

Office Hours (tentative): Mon 1:10-3, or any time by appointment.

Optional "Recitation": Mon 2-2:50, G031 (tentative)

Computer Help: Jamie Williams, email: James.E.Williams@Colorado.EDU
Jamie's office hours: To be announced

Lectures: MWF 1-1:50 PM in Duane G-0041

(Recitation: M 2-2:50 PM in Duane G031)

Texts:

Required: "An Introduction to Quantum Physics " - A.P. French and E. F. Taylor.

(The primary textbook, and source of some homework problems) A copy will be on reserve in the physics library.

Highly recommended: "Concepts of Modern Physics" - A. Beiser

(This is written at a slightly more basic level than F+T, and you may find it very useful as a reference. I will point out "where we are" in Beiser throughout the course to help orient you.) There will also be copies on reserve in the physics library.

Other references:

On occasion we will have computer assignments. "Mathematica: A system for Doing Mathematics by Computer" - (Stephen Wolfram) is a useful reference.

P. Tipler:"Modern Physics" (A nice level, perhaps between Beiser and F+T. A copy will be on reserve in the physics library.

S. Gasiorowicz:"Quantum Physics", and "Structure of Matter"

R. Eisberg and R. Resnick: "Quantum Physics"

Taylor and Zafiratos: "Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers" (for an even more broad but qualitative overview of the material.)

Feynman, Leighton, and Sands: "The Feynman Lectures on Physics, part III."

(The latter is part of a truly wonderful series of 3 "introductory" physics books.)

The final grade weighting for this course will be approximately:

Problem sets: 30-35%

Quizzes: 5-10%

(see below)

Mid Terms: 15% each => 30%

Final Exam: 25%

Required Work: Problem sets are an essential part of this class. No one questions that mastering a musical instrument or playing a sport well requires repetition of exercises designed to increase skill (if not always designed to be beautiful or fun). The study of physics is not so different! One problem set will be assigned every week, (usually) on Wednesdays, due at the start of class the following week. Because solutions will be posted, late homeworks can not be accepted. Homeworks will on occasion contain computer assignments.

My homework solutions will be posted by my office, with a copy in the library. These may be borrowed briefly for copying. (Please be considerate of your classmates.)

Quizzes and Exams:

Short quizzes will be given during lectures roughly every 2-3 weeks.

Probable quiz dates: Fridays: Feb. 2, Feb. 16, Mar. 15, Apr. 12, May 3

Exams are tentatively scheduled for Thursday evenings (7:30 PM), Feb. 22 and Mar 21

Final exam will be Thurs, May 9 at 7:30 AM

Term Paper : A term paper on any topic relating to Modern Physics is due on Monday, Apr. 8. You will need to submit a written "choice of topic" by Wed, Mar. 6, (which I must approve), and a brief abstract (with at least 3 references) is required by Wed., Mar 20. http://spot.colorado.edu/~pollocks/current_class.html

Copies of homework assignments, summaries of each class, and any late announcements I have, will appear there. Occasionally, extra credit homework problems will be there as well. Accessible from this page (or from any news reader), we have a special newsgroup "cu.courses.phys2170" . I encourage you to post questions, comments, and ideas there. Use common sense (posting your h.w. solutions before the set is due is clearly not in your best interest!) But, feel free to discuss the homework on the newsgroup (or in study groups), as long as you always generate your final solutions by yourself. If you have a specific question for me, you're better off emailng me directly, as I check email more often than I read the newsgroup.

There will be a couple of relatively simple computer assignments this semester - you may solve them in any language and on any machine you like, but I encourage you to use Mathematica ("Mma"). I will provide you with a brief written Mma tutorial, but we will not spend class time learning programming. If you have no computer experience, let me know, and I can help you get started.

Accounts for the NeXT lab: Computer accounts will be set up for every student in the NeXT lab located in Duane 0060a. An application/policy form must be read and completed for the accounts to be activated. I will pass out cards with your account name, door key-code to the lab, and your password for the NeXT computers.

Drop-Add deadlines: Jan. 26 is Drop/Add deadline. Between Jan 26 and Jan 31, you may withdraw with my written permission , and no W will appear on your transcript. Between Jan 31 and Feb 28, you may withdraw with my permission, but a W will appear on your transcript. After Feb 28, you may drop only by petitioning your dean.

Reading Assignments: The following syllabus describes the material which will be covered in this course. Reading the textbooks before class is highly encouraged. It will allow you to concentrate on understanding the lecture, instead of taking lots of notes and trying to make sense of them later... (Each homework will also have a required reading assignment)

Go to Prof. Pollock's home page.

Go to the Physics Department's home page.