Modern Physics, 6 credits

Modern fysik, 6 hp

TFYA67

Main field of study

Applied Physics Physics

Course level

First cycle

Course type

Programme course

Examiner

Mats Eriksson

Director of studies or equivalent

Magnus Johansson

Education components

Preliminary scheduled hours: 60 h
Recommended self-study hours: 100 h
ECV = Elective / Compulsory / Voluntary
Course offered for Semester Period Timetable module Language Campus ECV
6CMED Biomedical Engineering, M Sc in Engineering 5 (Autumn 2017) 2 1 Swedish Linköping, Valla C

Main field of study

Applied Physics, Physics

Course level

First cycle

Advancement level

G2X

Course offered for

  • Biomedical Engineering, M Sc in Engineering

Entry requirements

Note: Admission requirements for non-programme students usually also include admission requirements for the programme and threshold requirements for progression within the programme, or corresponding.

Prerequisites

Mathematics, Calculus, Mechanics, Wave Motion and Electromagnetic Field Theory.

Intended learning outcomes

The primary goal of this introductory course is to give an understanding of the fundamentals of quantum mechanics and the theory of relativity. After completing the course the student should be able to:

  • describe the main ideas and theories of modern physics
  • solve problems in the context of modern physics, choose suitable methods and judge the reasonableness of obtained results
  • formulate and assess mathematical models describing physical problems in mordern physics
  • explain the Swedish and English terms and concepts used in this field

 

Course content

Modern physics is mainly the twentieth century's physics and has a huge range, from the smallest building blocks of matter to the whole universe. The large accumulated body of knowledge naturally makes a delineation of the course necessary, which roughly looks like this:

  • Relativity: The Lorentz transformation. The Doppler effect for electromagnetic waves. Relativistic mechanics. Rest mass and rest energy. Introduction to general relativity.
  • Nuclear physics: The nuclear structure and binding, nuclear models. Nuclear magnetic resonance. E = mc2 applied to nuclear processes. Radioactive decay. Nuclear reactions, fission and fusion.
  • Quantum Physics: Wave-particle duality. The uncertainty principle. The Bohr model of the atom. The Schrödinger equation. Bound and unbound states. Quantum-mechanical operators, expectation values and eigenvalues. Stationary and non-stationary state.
  • Atomic physics: The Schrödinger equation applied to one-electron system. Energy levels, quantum numbers, orbitals, spectra. Spin, magnetic moment and the influence of magnetic fields. Multi-electron systems: the Pauli exclusion principle, the periodic table, approximate energy levels.
  • Statistical Mechanics: Classical distributions (the Boltzmann distribution, the Maxwell velocity distribution). Quantum Distributions (the Bose-Einstein distribution, the Fermi-Dirac distribution).
  • Molecular Physics: Molecular orbitals, molecular bonds. Vibrations, rotations, molecular spectra.
  • Solid State Physics: Electronic structure. Band theory. Semiconductor physics and semiconductor devices.
  • Introduction to elementary particle physics (Standard Model).

 

Teaching and working methods

Lectures, problem solving sessions and laboratory work.

Examination

KTR1Optional assignments0 creditsU, G
LAB1Laboratory work1 creditsU, G
TEN1Written examination5 creditsU, 3, 4, 5

The optional assignments may give bonus points on the written exam

Grades

Four-grade scale, LiU, U, 3, 4, 5

Other information

Supplementary courses: Medical Radiation Physics

Department

Institutionen för fysik, kemi och biologi

Director of Studies or equivalent

Magnus Johansson

Examiner

Mats Eriksson

Course website and other links

Education components

Preliminary scheduled hours: 60 h
Recommended self-study hours: 100 h

Course literature

Additional literature

Books

  • Randy Harris, (2008) Modern Physics 2
    ISBN: 978-0-321-52667-0
    Pearson international edition
Code Name Scope Grading scale
KTR1 Optional assignments 0 credits U, G
LAB1 Laboratory work 1 credits U, G
TEN1 Written examination 5 credits U, 3, 4, 5

The optional assignments may give bonus points on the written exam

Regulations (apply to LiU in its entirety)

The university is a government agency whose operations are regulated by legislation and ordinances, which include the Higher Education Act and the Higher Education Ordinance. In addition to legislation and ordinances, operations are subject to several policy documents. The Linköping University rule book collects currently valid decisions of a regulatory nature taken by the university board, the vice-chancellor and faculty/department boards.

LiU’s rule book for education at first-cycle and second-cycle levels is available at http://styrdokument.liu.se/Regelsamling/Innehall/Utbildning_pa_grund-_och_avancerad_niva. 

Additional literature

Books

Randy Harris, (2008) Modern Physics 2

ISBN: 978-0-321-52667-0

Pearson international edition

Note: The course matrix might contain more information in Swedish.

I = Introduce, U = Teach, A = Utilize
I U A Modules Comment
1. DISCIPLINARY KNOWLEDGE AND REASONING
1.1 Knowledge of underlying mathematics and science (G1X level)
X
X
X
TEN1

                            
1.2 Fundamental engineering knowledge (G1X level)
X

                            
1.3 Further knowledge, methods, and tools in one or several subjects in engineering or natural science (G2X level)

                            
1.4 Advanced knowledge, methods, and tools in one or several subjects in engineering or natural sciences (A1X level)

                            
1.5 Insight into current research and development work

                            
2. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
2.1 Analytical reasoning and problem solving
X
X
TEN1

                            
2.2 Experimentation, investigation, and knowledge discovery
LAB1

                            
2.3 System thinking

                            
2.4 Attitudes, thought, and learning
X

                            
2.5 Ethics, equity, and other responsibilities

                            
3. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: TEAMWORK AND COMMUNICATION
3.1 Teamwork
X

                            
3.2 Communications

                            
3.3 Communication in foreign languages
X

                            
4. CONCEIVING, DESIGNING, IMPLEMENTING AND OPERATING SYSTEMS IN THE ENTERPRISE, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT
4.1 External, societal, and environmental context
X

                            
4.2 Enterprise and business context

                            
4.3 Conceiving, system engineering and management

                            
4.4 Designing

                            
4.5 Implementing

                            
4.6 Operating

                            
5. PLANNING, EXECUTION AND PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WITH RESPECT TO SCIENTIFIC AND SOCIETAL NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS
5.1 Societal conditions, including economic, social, and ecological aspects of sustainable development for knowledge development

                            
5.2 Economic conditions for knowledge development

                            
5.3 Identification of needs, structuring and planning of research or development projects

                            
5.4 Execution of research or development projects

                            
5.5 Presentation and evaluation of research or development projects

                            

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