Physics
Associate Professor Peter Wells
8 points * Four 1-hour lecture/problem classes and one 5-hour laboratory class per week * Second semester * Clayton * Prerequisite: To have attempted PHS2011
This subject comprises four units. (1) Quantum physics: The simple harmonic oscillator, energy levels and quantum numbers. The hydrogen atom, angular momentum quantum numbers and orbitals. The Pauli exclusion principle. Energy level diagrams, multi-particle systems.(2) Atomic and nuclear physics: Multi-electron atoms, binding energy and ionisation, atomic spectra. Atomic models, L-S and J-J coupling. X-rays and x-ray spectra. Nuclear structure, Nuclear binding energies. Nuclear models. Radioactive decay. Conservation laws and nuclear fission and fusion. (3) Thermodynamics: Concept of temperature, thermal equilibrium, laws of thermodynamics, engines and refrigerators, reversibility and irreversibility. Entropy, free energy and thermodynamic potentials. Phase transitions. (4) Optics: Geometrical optics of thin lens, matrix formulation. Wave properties, polarisation and birefringent media. Optical materials, dispersion. Interferometers and instruments exploring diffraction. Laser beam optics.
Assessment
Examinations (4 x 1.5 hrs ): 67% * Laboratory work: 33%
Prescribed texts
Eisberg R M and Resnick R Quantum physics of atoms, molecules, solids, nuclei and particles 2nd edn, Wiley, 1985
Hecht E Optics 2nd edn, Addison-Wesley, 1987
Zemansky M W and Dittman R H Heat and thermodynamics 6th edn, McGraw-Hill, 1981