Quantum Mechanics
PHY 460
Spring 2016

Instructor:

Prof. Scott Nutter

E-Mail: nutters@nku.edu

Office: Science Center 147

Phone: 572-5369

My Home page: http://www.nku.edu/~nutters

This page: http://www.nku.edu/~nutters/QMsyllabus_s16.html

Homework: http://www.nku.edu/~nutters/QM460_hw_s16.html

Office hours: MT: 12:30 – 1:30 pm;  or by appointment, or (take a chance!) drop by. I respond to e-mail.
Text: Quantum Chemistry, 6th ed.  Ira N. Levine.
Class location and  time: TR 1:40 - 2:55 PM, SC 304.
Final exam time: Thursday May 5, 1:00 – 3:00 PM.
Grades: Your grade is determined from two exams, a comprehensive final, and homework scores weighted 1:1:1:2 respectively.  Exams will potentially have both in-class and take-home parts.  Homework is approximately weekly and assigned as we go.
 

Topic

Text (Chapter)

Schroedinger’s Equation

1

Particle in a box

2

Operators in Quantum Mechanics

3

Theorems of QM

7

Application of operators: the harmonic oscillator

4

Angular momentum

5

The hydrogen atom

6

Electron Spin and the Pauli Principle, Quantum statistics: bosons and fermions

10

Many electron atoms

11

Molecules

12

 

It is assumed that you are already familiar with blackbody radiation, the Maxwell-Boltzman probability distribution, photoelectric effect and work functions, wave-particle duality, DeBroglie wavelength, Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle, and the probability interpretation of wave functions.  The review at the beginning of class will examine your knowledge in these subjects.

 

Important dates:

No classes: MLK Day (18 January), Spring Break (7-12 March). 

Withdrawal: The last date to withdraw from a course without a grade appearing in your transcript is 1 February. The last date to withdraw with a "W" appearing in your transcript is 21 March.

 

Physics Program Outcomes and Assessment (relevant to PHY 460):

Students will be assessed on their ability to complete the outcomes below through the use of written exams and homework assignments.

PHY 460 students will:

  • Be able to communicate ideas and concepts particular to quantum mechanics orally and visually.
  • Understand fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics and their applications, including the following:
    • Schrodinger’s equations and its application to the hydrogen atom
    • Operator methods
    • Quantum spin and angular momentum
    • Quantum statistics

 

Disclaimer:

I reserve the right to change any part of this syllabus.

 

Created by SLN

Last update 8-Jan-16  Scott Nutter