6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
School of Physics and Astronomy
Coordinator(s)
Associate Professor Meera Parish
Unit guides
Synopsis
This unit consists of two 12-lecture sub-units, Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Physics and laboratory work. The key areas for each sub-unit are:
- Quantum Mechanics: QM states and the Dirac notation. Operators, measurement and observables. The quantum harmonic oscillator. The hydrogen atom, angular momentum and spin. Time evolution, periodic potentials, and perturbation theory. Identical particles.
- Statistical Physics: Heat, temperature and entropy. Classical and quantum statistics. Counting states and probability. The Maxwell-Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein probability distributions. Applications to real systems.
- Laboratory work: experimental laboratory work on relevant topics.
Outcomes
On completion of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe concepts and perform calculations in Quantum Mechanics, using the Dirac and Schrodinger formalism, and apply this knowledge to the analytical solution of model quantum systems.
- Describe and perform calculations associated with fundamental concepts in Statistical Mechanics, which include both classical and quantum many-body systems.
- Solve new problems in physics related to the core concepts of the unit by drawing on the theoretical underpinnings that illustrate the physics.
- Perform measurements and analysis on experiments that demonstrate the theoretical physics described in this and other physics units.
- Produce experimental reports that present results, analyse and discuss the implications and outcomes of experimental work.
Assessment
Examination (3 hours): 46% + Laboratory work: 34% + Assignments: 20% + Hurdle requirement: Students must achieve a pass mark in the practical component to achieve an overall pass grade.
Workload requirements
- Two 1-hour lectures and two 1-hour tutorials per week
- An average of two hours in the laboratory per week
- Six hours of independent study per week
See also Unit timetable information