Objective(s):
To understand the non-classical aspects of Physics, the emphasis is on the applications of Quantum Physics in microscopic-scale Physics, atomic and molecular structure and processes.
Motivation for Non–Classical Physics:
Quantum interference, blackbody radiation and ultraviolet catastrophe, Planck’s quantization.
Wace-Particle Duality:
Photoelectric effect, Compton effect, production and properties of X-rays, diffraction of X-rays, concept of matter waves, de Broglie relationship, electrons are waves, electron diffraction, particulate nature of matter, contributions of Faraday (atoms exist), Thomson (electron exists), Rutherford (nucleus exists) and Bohr (quantization of energies inside an atom), wave packets and wave groups, dispersion, Heisenberg uncertainty principle, direct confirmation of quantization through Franck-Hertz experiment and spectroscopy, working of electron microscopes.
Quantum Mechanics in One Dimension:
The concept of a wave function, time independent Schrodinger equation and interpretation of the equation, solving the Schrodinger equation for a free particle, for a particle inside an infinite box, relationship between confinement and quantization, working of a CCD camera.
Quantum Mechanical Tunneling:
Concept of tunneling, reflection and transmission of wave functions from barriers, applications: radioactivity, scanning tunneling microscope, decay of black holes.
Quantum Mechanics in Three Dimensions:
The Hydrogen atom, orbitals, angular momentum and its quantization, orbital magnetism, Zeeman effect, concept of spin, Pauli’s exclusion principle, Building of the periodic table, magnetic resonance and MRI, why is iron magnetic? White dwarfs, and neutron stars.
From Atoms to Molecules and Solids:
Ionic bonds, covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds, molecular orbitals, how crystals are different from amorphous solids? Why and how do metals conduct electricity? Bands in solids, semiconductors, introduction to LED’s and lasers, introducing grapheme.
Nuclear Structure:
Size and structure of nucleus, nuclear forces, radioactivity and nuclear reactions, radiocarbon dating.