PHY 403: Quantum Physics               Spring 2008

Text: Quantum Mechanics (fifth edition) by A. Rae

Instructor: Juan Lin

Office: Dunning N203       E-mail: jlin2@washcoll.edu

Office hours: By appointment

Attendance Policy: Lecture, 90% Minimum

Grade: Homework, 40% ; 2 tests, 30%; Final, 30 %

In this course we will learn the principles of quantum mechanics and how it explains the behavior of atoms and radiation. For a useful set of interactive simulations of simple quantum systems please refer to the following sites: M. Joffre's Quantum physics online, Kansas University online simulations , Groningen and Qwiki. You may want to revisit these sites many times during the semester as visual aids to quantum concepts.

Homework assignments:

Background : The experimental foundations of quantum theory.

Due Jan. 30        Chapter 1: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7

Schroedinger equation in one dimension

Due Feb. 6         Chapter 2: 1, 2, 3, 4

Due Feb. 13       Chapter 2: 5, 6, 7

Schroedinger equation in three dimensions

Due Feb. 20        Chapter 3: 2, 3, 4

Due  Feb. 27       Chapter 3: 5, 6, 7, 8

                  First Test: Monday, March 3

                                    Chapters 1 - 3                    

                  Spring break: March 10 - 16

Postulates of quantum mechanics

Due March 19     Chapter 4 (only 4.1 - 4.8): 1, 2, 4, 5 

Due March 26     Chapter 4: 6, 7, 8, 9, 11

                  April 2 : Advising Day  

Angular momentum

Due April 4        Chapter 5: 1, 3, 5, 9

Due April 11:     Chapter 6 (only 6.1 - 6.5): 2, 3, 4, 6, 7                      

Time-independent perturbation theory

Due April 18:     Chapter 7 (only 7.1 - 7.2): 1, 2, 3, 4

                   Second Test: Monday , April 21

              Chapters 4 - 6

Time-dependent perturbation theory

Due April 30      Chapter 8 (only 8.1 - 8.4): 1, 2, 5, 6

                 Final Exam