PHY1025 : Introductory Quantum Mechanics - Undergraduate Study

Offered for Year: 2020/21

Module Leader(s): Dr Paul Branch

Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Semester 2 Credit Value:	10
ECTS Credits:	5.0

Aims

To introduce the principals of the quantum behaviour of particles and form a basis for a formal instruction of quantum mechanics at later stages.

Outline Of Syllabus

Black body radiation; the photoelectric effect; the instability of the atom; the Compton effect.
Discovery of Planck’s constant and quantization of energy.
Wave-particle duality. de Broglie waves, electron diffraction.
Spectra of hydrogen and other one-electron atoms.
The Rutherford and Bohr models of the atom.
Heisenberg's uncertainty principle.
The Schrödinger equation (non-relativistic).
Bound states and the potential well problem including the infinite square potential well.
Atomic structure: quantum numbers of hydrogen including spin.
Quantum tunnelling.
Applications of quantum mechanics in atomic, nuclear and particle physics.

Teaching Methods

Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.

Teaching Activities

Category	Activity	Number	Length	Student Hours	Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities	Lecture	4	1:00	4:00	Present in Person
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities	Lecture	5	1:00	5:00	Synchronous On Line Material
Structured Guided Learning	Lecture materials	18	1:00	18:00	Non Synchronous Activities
Guided Independent Study	Assessment preparation and completion	15	1:00	15:00	N/A
Structured Guided Learning	Structured non-synchronous discussion	9	1:00	9:00	N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities	Drop-in/surgery	2	1:00	2:00	Office Hours or Discussion Board Activities
Guided Independent Study	Independent study	47	1:00	47:00	.
Total				100:00

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Non-synchronous online materials are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on assessed work. Present-in-person and synchronous online sessions are used to help develop the students’ abilities at applying the theory to solving problems and to identify and resolve specific queries raised by students, and to allow students to receive individual feedback on marked work. Students who cannot attend a present-in-person session will be provided with an alternative activity allowing them to access the learning outcomes of that session. In addition, office hours/discussion board activity will provide an opportunity for more direct contact between individual students and the lecturer: a typical student might spend a total of one or two hours over the course of the module, either individually or as part of a group.

Student should consult their timetable for up-to-date delivery information.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams

Description	Length	Semester	When Set	Percentage	Comment
Written Examination	0	2	A	60	24 Hour Take Home exam

Other Assessment

Description	Semester	When Set	Percentage	Comment
Prob solv exercises	2	M	20	N/A
Prob solv exercises	2	M	20	N/A

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The course assessments 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.

Reading Lists

PHY1025's Reading List

Timetable

Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
PHY1025's Timetable

Module