PHY1025 : Introductory Quantum Mechanics
- Offered for Year: 2019/20
- Module Leader(s): Dr Jerry Hagon
- 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
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 12 | 2:00 | 24:00 | Problem solving exercises |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 24 | 0:30 | 12:00 | Revision for final exam |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Final Exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | In-class tutorials |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 18 | 1:00 | 18:00 | Formal lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Small group tutorial classes |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | Office hours to support the course content and preparation of in-course assessed problems. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 21:30 | 21:30 | Reviewing lecture notes inc. ReCap; Background reading; Tutorial sheet and past paper questions. |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Most of the content of the module relates to the acquisition of knowledge and an understanding of principles. The knowledge is taught through lectures and the understanding of the underlying principles is taught in lectures and learnt effectively through the experience of problem solving. Illustrative problems are set by the lecturers to enhance the understanding of the material and nurture the progressive acquisition of skills in problems solving. Office hours provide opportunities for additional review of course content and support for problem solving on an individual basis. Small group tutorial activities provide a forum for students to develop their skills in presenting scientific concepts and methods, as well as supporting the detailed understanding of the taught material.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 80 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 2 | M | 10 | Weekly problem solving exercises |
| Prob solv exercises | 2 | M | 10 | Small group tutorial |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Much of the material taught in the module is factual and the student is asked to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the content through being able to present the basic aspects of their knowledge of the material in unseen written examination papers and to demonstrate their problem solving skills by answering numerical problems on the topics.
Problems are set and assessed during the module to enhance the understanding of the material and nurture the progressive acquisition of skills in solving illustrative problems. The format of the resit exam is the same as the above.
The small group tutorial sessions involve students in their tutor groups presenting and critiquing the solutions to technical questions associated with the taught material, with the personal tutor assigning marks for the contributions to these discussions on an individual basis.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- PHY1025's Timetable