Modern Physics

Topics

Updated mid October.

1. Galilean relativity, speed of light.
2. Postulates of Special Relativity.
3. Time dilation, length contraction.
4. Relativity of simultaneity.
5. Twin paradox
6. Lorentz Transformation.
7. Doppler shift
8. Velocity addition
9. Relativistic energy, momentum and invarient mass.
10. Force and Newton's Second Law
11. Quantization of matter: Atoms, charge, subatomic particles.
12. Quantization of radiation.
13. The nuclear atom.
14. Nuclear size.
15. The Bohr model of the atom.
16. Wave nature of particles.
17. The Uncertainty Principle.
18. Wave mechanics; Schroedinger Equation.
19. Expectation values and operators.

There will two hour exams and a final exam, as well as homework.

If you want more information, please send email to: storm@npl.washington.edu