Course

Unit 1

Review of mechanics and failure of classical mechanics

Review of mechanics, failures of classical mechanics

Unit 2

Particle properties of waves 

Electromagnetic waves; blackbody radiation; Planck’s quantum hypothesis, photo-electric effect, Compton Effect,

Unit 3

Wave properties of particles

De Broglie waves; probability and phase and group velocities; particle in a box, wave-particle duality, uncertainty principle.

Unit 4

Atomic structure and models

Atomic structure; atomic spectra; planetary model (classical); Bohr’s H-atom model, Bohr’s correspondence principle,

Unit 5

Schrodinger’s equation and applications 

Wave equation; Schrodinger’s equation (time dependent and independent), Linearity and superposition; expectation values; observables and operators; SE of particle in a box, finite potential well; harmonic oscillator; tunnelling.

Pre-requisites: Basic math, physics and chemistry

Total number of classes: 45

Course Outcomes:

• Understand the failure of classical mechanics
• Realize the importance of particle-like behavior of waves and wave-like behavior of particles.
• Understand initial success of quantization from blackbody radiation to Compton effect
• Know the importance of dual nature
• Distinguish the difference between classical models and Bohr’s atom model and its success.
• Comprehensive understanding of Schrodinger’s equation and its application to quantum systems.

1. Concepts of Modern Physics, A. Beiser, S. Mahajan and S. R. Choudhury 7^th Edition, McGraw Hill, 2015
2. Introductory Quantum Mechanics for Applied Nanotechnology by D. M. Kim, Wiley-VCH; 2015.