2019/2020

2020/2021

DM270

FIS/01 (EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS)

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMESTRY

CHEMISTRY

PERCORSO COMUNE

2°

2nd semester (01/03/2021 - 18/06/2021)

6

48 lesson hours

Italian

ORAL TEST

COCOCCIONI MATTEO (titolare) - 3 ECTS
PROTTI NICOLETTA - 3 ECTS

To have passed the exam "Fisica Sperimentale con Laboratorio".
To have attended the course "Chimica Fisica I"

The theoretical module of the course aims at consolidating the knowledge of quantum mechanics and to provide a solid basis for the comprehension of atomic and molecular physics. Formal topics will be mostly developed during the study of well defined problems of atomic and molecular chemistry with the aim to provide a more operative knowledge of quantum mechanics suitable to effectively tackle their analysis and solution. It is expected that, by the end of the course, students not only comprehend, for example, the origin of the discrete nature of excitation spectra or of the chemical bond, but also become capable to construct the wave function of a simple molecule or of a system of many electrons and know how to approach the solution of the ground state through the variational approach.

In the laboratory module, detailed studies of electromagnetism and optics are foreseen. Examples related to Chemistry will be provided.
The topics presented during the classroom lessons will be the subject of the experimental activities in the laboratory, which are aimed to teach the student the use of measuring instruments and the correct interpretation of experimental results by comparison with theoretical predictions.

The classroom lectures of the theoretical module will be structured according the following macro-areas
- foundation of quantum mechanics (mainly a review from previous courses): wave-particle duality, foundation principles, wave functions and their interpretation, operators and observables, Schrodinger equation, angular momentum, factorization of wave functions, hydrogen atom;
- Electronic structure of more complex atoms: hydrogenoid atoms, Pauli’s exclusion principle, Auf-Bau filling order, total energies, ionization potentials and electron affinities;
- Vectorial model of the atom: magnetic field in quantum mechanics, diamagnetism and paramagnetism, localized magnetic moments, spin-orbit interaction and effects on atomic spectra, Hund’s rules, open-shell atoms, nuclear magnetic moment and NMR spectroscopy (brief)
- Molecules and their electronic structure: Hilbert spaces and wave function basis sets, variational principle, linear combination of atomic orbitals, H2 and H2+ molecules, bonding and antibonding states, more complex molecules (briefly), electronic states of benzene rings and Huckel theory, Hamiltonian and symmetries (briefly);
- Many-electrons wave functions: products of single-electron terms, Hartree method, anti-symmetrization and
Hartree-Fock method, excitation energies (Koopmans' theorem), exchange integral and magnetism



In the classroom lessons of the laboratory module, the topics that will be studied in the experimental activities are presented:
- magnetism in matter: Maxwell's equations in vacuum, equations of magnetism in matter, classifications of magnetic substances, diamagnetism, paramagnetism and ferromagnetism (explanation in terms of microscopic laws and examples in Chemistry), magnetisation curve for a ferromagnetic material;
- physics of semiconductors: quantum numbers and energy levels, band theory of solids, Fermi's energy, electrical conduction in metals, insulators and semiconductors. Detailed study of semiconductors: electron-hole pairs, doped semiconductors, semiconductor devices (the junction diodes and the light-emitting diodes);
- principles of ray optics: light and electromagnetic spectrum, reflection, refraction, dispersion, prism, thin lenses, Kirchhoff-Bunsen spectroscope;
- principles of wave optics: Huygens's principle, Young's experiment, single-slit diffraction patterns, double-slit interference patterns, diffraction gratings, X-rays diffraction by crystals.

The topics of the laboratory experiments are:
- measurements of the hysteresis loop of a ferromagnetic material;
- measurement of the Planck's constant by using LEDs;
- calibration of a Kirchhoff-Bunsen spectroscope and measurement of the wavelengths of unknwown spectral lines;
- diffraction and interference of light, by using a laser and single and double slits.

The theory module is based on classroom lectures.

The laboratory module consists in laboratory experiments, whose subjects are in-depth studied during classroom lessons preceding the experimental activities.

For the theoretical module, the suggested textbook is: Peter Atkins and Julio de Paula, “Physical Chemistry”, 5th italian edition obtained from the 9th english edition, Zanichelli

For the laboratory module, the suggested textbooks are:
- Mazzoldi, Nigro, Voci, "Fisica, Vol. 2", Ed. Edises
- Serway - Jewett, "Fisica per Scienze ed Ingegneria - Vol. 2", Ed. Edises
- Halliday, Resnick, Walker, "Fondamenti di Fisica", Ed. CEI

Oral exam with a discussion of the laboratory experiences.

For the theoretical module, during the exam the student will have to demonstrate to have acquired a sufficient knowledge of the topics developed in class and to be able to use effectively notions of quantum mechanics to approach typical problems of atomic and molecular physics.

For the laboratory module, during the exam the student will have to discuss the experiments performed during the semester: in particular he/she will be asked to show a good comprehension of the lab activities, a good knowledge of the physical phenomena probed by them and of the topics developed in class lectures, the ability to correctly interpret the experimental results.

Attendance of the theoretical lectures and of the laboratory experiences is mandatory in order to take the exam.