Introduction to Physics III
Professor Lynn Cominsky
Spring 2000

 

Course Outline and Policy

The topics covered in this course are among the most fascinating in all of Physics. In fact, a similar course inspired me to become a physics major when I was in college! We will be discussing such subjects as special relativity, the quantization of radiation and matter, the forces that hold together atoms and the uncertainty principle, among other things. A more detailed outline is given below.

REQUIRED TEXT: Concepts of Modern Physics by Arthur Beiser, Fifth Edition

OUTLINE

Relativity: Chapter 1
Particle Properties of Waves : Chapter 2
FIRST QUIZ (will be Tuesday 3/7/00) (HW's 1 - 4)
Wave Properties of Particles: Chapter 3
Atomic Structure: Chapter 4
Quantum Mechanics: Chapter 5
SECOND QUIZ (will be Tuesday 4/25/00) (HW's 5 - 9)
Quantum Theory of the Hydrogen atom Chapter 6
Many Electron Atoms: Chapter 7
Molecules Chapter 8 - (selected parts)
FINAL EXAM ( Tuesday, May 23, 11 AM - 1 PM)

COURSE POLICIES:

1) Physics 214 is a prerequisite for this course. Math 261 is either a prerequisite or may be taken concurrently with this course. I will be giving a short (not graded) quiz during the first class to determine the knowledge level of the typical student population, and I will use the results of this quiz to ensure that these requirements have been met.

2) I am a firm believer in homework problems as the most effective route to learning Physics (or related subjects). Therefore, the homework for this course will be assigned weekly., for a total of 11 problem sets. The score of the lowest homework set will be dropped.

3) Homework assignments will be distributed each Monday during class. Completed homework will be due on the second Wednesday following by 3 PM. No late homework will be accepted.

4) Problem sessions (to help you complete your homework) will be held in Darwin 329, at times to be determined If you are having trouble with your homework or if you would like to discuss some of your work with me, this is your best chance! Due to lack of space, private office hours are by appointment only.

5) Solutions to the homework assignments will be handed out when the problem sets are graded and returned.

6) Grades: The grade for this course will be based on: 30% homework, 15% each of two mid-term quizzes, 25% on comprehensive final and 15% for in class participation on the in-class problems.

7) Material - the course will cover chapters 1 - 8 of the required text. If time permits, we will also cover some selected topics which includes some very modern physics.

8) The format of this class may be different than other physics classes that you have had in the past. I will not be lecturing every hour, rather it will be your responsibility to read the book and ask questions which will lead to problems to be solved in class in small groups. The success of this format depends on the effort that you put into problem solving. There are approximately 16 in class problems (including questions from old exams) for you to solve that should clarify the important material, but if you do not participate, I will not know what is confusing. These problems will not be graded, but your efforts in solving them will count towards the 15% of the grade based on in-class participation.

I hope that this course will inspire you to continue in Physics, as it did for me when I was in college!

P314 Schedule

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