INTRODUCTION TO MODERN PHYSICS
Stampa
Enrollment year
2018/2019
Academic year
2018/2019
Regulations
DM270
Academic discipline
FIS/02 (THEORETICAL PHYSICS, MATHEMATICAL MODELS AND METHODS)
Department
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS "FELICE CASORATI"
Course
MATHEMATICS
Curriculum
PERCORSO COMUNE
Year of study
Period
2nd semester (04/03/2019 - 14/06/2019)
ECTS
6
Lesson hours
48 lesson hours
Language
Italian
Activity type
ORAL TEST
Teacher
MONTAGNA GUIDO (titolare) - 6 ECTS
Prerequisites
A good knowledge of the topics discussed in the courses Classical Mechanics, Electrodynamics and Thermodynamics.
Learning outcomes
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.
Course contents
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.
Teaching methods
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.
Reccomended or required readings
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.
Assessment methods
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.
Further information
The course can be also chosen by the students of the M.Sc. in Mathematics, in order to strengthen their preparation in modern physics.
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