2018/2019

2018/2019

DM270

FIS/02 (THEORETICAL PHYSICS, MATHEMATICAL MODELS AND METHODS)

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS "FELICE CASORATI"

MATHEMATICS

PERCORSO COMUNE

1°

2nd semester (04/03/2019 - 14/06/2019)

6

48 lesson hours

Italian

ORAL TEST

MONTAGNA GUIDO (titolare) - 6 ECTS

A good knowledge of the topics discussed in the courses Classical Mechanics, Electrodynamics and Thermodynamics.

The course is devoted to the analysis and interpretation of the phenomena which gave rise to the so-called crisis of classical physics and the birth of modern physics. An introduction to the main conceptual and theoretical aspects of (classical) Statistical Mechanics and Quantum Physics are also given. This provides a necessary background for a better prosecution of the studies for the Bachelor in Physics.

Crisis of classical mechanics and electrodynamics in the light of the discovery of new phenomena at the beginning of the XX century (from blackbody radiation to quantum nature of light and wave-particle duality). Main conceptual and theoretical aspects of Statistical Mechanics and Quantum Physics of common use in modern physics. Discussion of quantum effects in simple examples of physics phenomena.

Lectures aiming at providing all the conceptual and theoretical aspects related to the addressed topics. The key experiments highlighting the crisis of classical physics are discussed in detail.

S. Boffi, Da Laplace a Heisenberg, Un’introduzione alla meccanica quantistica e alle sue applicazioni, Pavia University Press.
D. J. Griffiths, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, Prentice Hall.

Oral exam. The student will be asked to discuss and explain one of the phenomena of crisis of classical physics. He will have to show to be acquainted with the main conceptual aspects of Quantum Mechanics.

The course can be also chosen by the students of the M.Sc. in Mathematics, in order to strengthen their preparation in modern physics.