Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To present the quantum theory of atoms including spin, fine structure and many electron atoms.

To present the quantum theory of molecules, including a quantum treatment of their binding, electronic structure, rotation, vibration and spectroscopy.

To present a treatment of the structure of the nucleus, its binding and treatments of decay.

Outline Of Syllabus

Atomic Structure:

The hydrogen atom: radial functions, spherical harmonics, angular momentum. Properties of solutions.

Spin, Pauli Principle, multiplets, fine structure; Zeeman effect; LS and JJ coupling.

Molecular Physics:

Molecular Hamiltonian, Born Oppenheimer approximation, electronic structure: bonding

Vibration and rotation: harmonic motion and beyond, rigid rotator and energy levels.

Spectroscopy: microwave, infrared optical spectra. Selection rules, Franck-Condon principle.

Nuclear Physics:

Nuclear masses and binding energies; models of the nucleus, theories of radioactive decay, fission and fusion nuclear power.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

To know the hydrogenic solutions in mathematical detail.

To know the internal structure of molecules, atoms and nuclei

To understand the observations associated with molecular, atomic and nuclear systems.

Intended Skill Outcomes

To be familiar with hydrogenic eigensolutions.

To be able to describe the structure and properties of particles at the atomic scale.

To be able to relate theoretical principles of molecular, atomic and nuclear physics to practical observations and applications.

Students will develop skills across the cognitive domain (Bloom's taxonomy,2001 revised edition): remember, understand, apply, analyse, evaluate and create.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on marked work. Some in-person sessions will be used for formative problem solving.

The teaching methods are appropriate to allow students to develop a wide range of skills, from understanding basic concepts and facts to higher-order thinking.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

A substantial formal unseen examination is appropriate for the assessment of the material in this module as some elements are required essential knowledge for a Physicist. The format of the examination will enable students to reliably demonstrate their own knowledge, understanding and application of learning outcomes. The assurance of academic integrity forms a necessary part of programme accreditation.

Examination problems may require a synthesis of concepts and strategies from different sections, while they may have more than one ways for solution. The examination time allows the students to test different strategies, work out examples and gather evidence for deciding on an effective strategy, while carefully articulating their ideas and explicitly citing the theory they are using.

The coursework assignments allow the students to develop their problem solving techniques, to practise the methods learnt in the module, to assess their progress and to receive feedback; these assessments have a secondary formative purpose as well as their primary summative purpose.

Additional formative problems will be tackled in class to further support and enhance students learning.

General Notes

N/A