ADVANCED MODERN PHYSICS
PHY5MOA
2014
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
On completion of this subject, students will be able to solve problems in modern physics which provide a basis for further study in physics, engineering or another science. They will use the essential apparatus in a physics laboratory to take and analyse measurements, and understand the vocabulary and concepts of modern physics. Two key areas of modern physics, special relativity and quantum mechanics, are explored. Special relativity involves Einstein's postulates regarding simultaneity, mass-energy equivalence, causality, and electromagnetism. Quantum mechanics involves quantisation, wave-particle duality, expectation values and operators, quantisation of angular momentum and spin. Students will conduct three experimental investigations related to these topics. Students are also provided with a simple research problem solvable by computational methods, and are expected to solve it individually, in consultation with a staff demonstrator.
Faculty: Faculty of Science, Tech & Engineering
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Chanh Tran
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 5 - Masters
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: Approval from the Department of Physics adviser of studies.
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: PHY2SCA, PHY20SCI, PHY21SCA, PHY2MOD
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Modern Physics (4th Edition) | Prescribed | Tipler, P.A. & Llewellyn, R.A. | W.H. FREEMAN & CO., NEW YORK, ISBN-10: 0716743450, 2002 |
Melbourne, 2014, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Chanh Tran
Class requirements
TutorialWeek: 11 - 22
One 1.0 hours tutorial every two weeks on weekdays during the day from week 11 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
Two 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Laboratory ClassWeek: 11 - 22
Two 3.0 hours laboratory class every two weeks on weekdays during the day from week 11 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % |
|---|---|---|
| 5 written assignments (approx 5 pgs of mathematical solutions, including diagrams where appropriate) | 20 | |
| One 3-hour end-of-semester exam (short-answer questions) | 60 | |
| Report on research problem (3000 words) | 10 | |
| Three oral reports on laboratory activities | 3 | |
| Three written reports on laboratory activities (1000 words each) | 7 |