Newcastle University > Undergraduate > Find a Degree > Module

• Offered for Year: 2020/21

• Module Leader(s): Dr Jerry Hagon
• Lecturer: Dr Angela Dyson

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

Semesters

Aims

To present quantum mechanics in a formal way summarising material at previous stages in a number of operator postulates.
To develop a number of approximation methods in quantum mechanics including the variational principle and perturbation theory.
To present applications of these approximation methods in a number of areas including the Stark effect, the Zeeman effect, atomic transitions.
To present simple approaches to treat systems with more than one particle using quantum mechanics.

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.
To present an overview of elementary particle physics, their classification and interactions.

Outline Of Syllabus

Fundamental principles of quantum mechanics. Formal presentation and review of stage two material.

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

Approximation Methods:
The variational principle; time independent perturbation theory; time dependent perturbation theory, Fermi’s golden rule, atomic transitions, variational principle.

Simple treatment of many electron systems. Spin. The helium atom. Dimensional methods.

Atomic Structure:
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.

Particle Physics:
Elementary particles, relativity and antiparticles, Feynman diagrams, particle exchange and interaction, the Standard model

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

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.

Assessment 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.

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

Exams

Other Assessment

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

N/A

Reading Lists

• PHY3044's Reading List

Timetable

• Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
• PHY3044's Timetable