Frederick Community College

 

PY 205 – Modern Physics

 

Summer 2012

 

Class begins:  June 4

Class ends:  Aug 13

Last Day to Withdraw: July 19

 

Instructor Information:

 

 

Name:   Prof Gottfried

Office:  B-103A

E-mail:  rgottfried@frederick.edu

Phone Number:  301-846-2581

Contact Hours: email and  by appointment for in-person meeting

Campus Mail Box #:  252

           

Course Information:

 

Credits:  4

On-campus Meetings:  none

On-campus Exams:  none

Prerequisites:  PY 204, MA 211

Corequisites: None

 

Course Description:

 

Represents a continuation of the calculus-based sequence PY 203 - 204, with emphasis on modern physics.  Includes topics in relativity; electromagnetic theory; solid state physics; quantum theory; and atomic, nuclear, and particle physics.

 

 

Core Learning Outcomes:

 

Upon completion of this course students will demonstrate

1. Be able to apply the Lorentz transformation to relate the time and position in one inertial reference frame to that in another inertial frame.

 

2. Be able to calculate relativistic quantities and utilize them when analyzing conservation.

 

3. Understand the history and development of the wave-particle duality of light.

 

4. Be able to solve the Schrodinger equation for several situations

 

5. Understand how the wavefunction can be interpreted as a measurement of probability of the particle being in a given volume.

 

 6. Determine where the contributions to the angular momentum and magnetic moment of the electron come from.

 

 7. Understand the concept of forms energy and how it relates to the Pauli Exclusion Principle and the Fermi-Dirac probability function

 

 8. Classify a particle as a Baryon, Meson, Lepton, or Gauge Particle.

 

 9.  Understand the history of the Standard Model and its implications for cosmogenesis.

 

 Instructional Methods:

 

1.         Assigned readings from text

2.         Assigned homework problems with on-line discussion

3.         Labs are chosen from the Quantum Physlet program that accompanies the text and from computer simulation program for Modern Physics (see text website) and other links to java-applets. On-campus labs may also be completed.

4.         On-line lectures/chat sessions

 

 

 How is this course organized:

 

You will be expected to check the course web site frequently. Assignments and dates for submitting assignments will be posted on a regular basis. No assignments will be accepted late! All work should be submitted via e-mail to the instructor.


The pace will be one or two chapters per week. This will include chapter readings, completion and submission of on-line assignments (problems and lab investigations), and participating in any posted chat sessions. Plan your time appropriately!

 

Text(s) and Course Materials:

 

Modern Physics, Serway, Moses, Moyer, 3rd ed., 2003, Brooks-cole and Physlet Quantum Physics, Belloni, Christian, Cox, Prentice Hall, 2006

 

Progress Report:

 

By the end of the sixth week of the semester, you will have an opportunity to evaluate your progress in this course and decide if you need to make any adjustments (additional study, tutoring, conference with instructor) to assure your success in this course.

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation Methods:

 

Tests / Papers / Projects / Participation

Point Value

Final Grade Scale

Exam I:                                     35% (total)

Exam II:                                    35%

Laboratory Journal                  20%

Weekly problem(s):                 10%

 

Total                                      100%

140

140

              80

 40

 

400

 

360 = A

320 = B

 280 = C

240 = D

Below 239 = F

 

If the graded performance for online assignments differs significantly from the grade average for proctored assignments, the instructor reserves the right to administer additional tests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Services

 

A variety of services are available to assist students in succeeding at FCC. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Student Services web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/index.aspx.

Students with disabilities who are in need of accommodations or who have questions related to disabilities services should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office at 301-846-2408. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Services for Students with Disabilities web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/disability.aspx.

 

 Participation Policy:

 

You will be expected to:

1. Keep in contact with me on a weekly basis by e-mail, phone, or office visit

2. Participate in chat rooms/discussion board forum

3. Respond to all requests from the instructor on a timely basis.

 

 Email Policy:

 

With the exception of MOL students, all FCC students will receive and are expected to use their FCC email address for correspondence with faculty and staff at the college. Students can establish and access their FCC email accounts at https://myfcc.frederick.edu. Email is an instructional tool essential to student-instructor and student-student communication. In the Blackboard environment by default, your email address is available to all students in this course.

However, students are permitted to use email addresses of other students in this course only for the purpose and the duration of this course.

The instructor can be expected to respond to regular student email inquiries (grades, posted assignments, and tests excluded) within the time frame of 24 to 48 hours.

 

Academic Integrity:

 

Work in this course is subject to the provisions of the FCC Code of Academic Integrity. Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. As a student, it is your job to practice academic honesty at ALL times.  Make sure that all sources, particularly Internet sources, get proper credit for quotations, paraphrases, and ideas. More information about this and the Student Conduct Code are available at http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/studentpolicies.aspx

You must send your Academic Integrity Pledge to the instructor. The form is available at http://courses.frederick.edu/_utilities/regform.htm
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topical Outline

 

 

Option 1 (Optics Option)

Week

Topic

Chapters

1 and 2

Optics Review

(Giancoli chapters 33-36)

3 and 4

Special Relativity

1 and 2

5 and 6

Problems with the Classical View

3 -5

7

Quantum Mechanics in One Dimension

6

8

Tunneling Phenomena

7

9

Atomic Structure

9

10

Statistical Physics or Solid State

10 or 12

 

 

 

Option 2

Week

Topic

Chapters

1 and 2

Special Relativity

1 and 2

3 -5

Problems with the Classical View

3 -5

6

Quantum Mechanics in One Dimension

6

7 and 8

Atomic Structure and Statistical Physics

9 and 10

9

The Solid State

12

 

Choose one

 

10

Nuclear Physics and Applications

13 and 14

10

Particle Physics and Cosmology

15 and 16

10

Special Topics

--

 

Exam I covers weeks 1 – 5

Exam II covers weeks 6 - 10

 

 

NOTE:  Your instructor reserves the right to make changes to this outline as needed.