PHYSICS 3542 - Physics III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2019

This course develops concepts in electromagnetism, quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics such that the behaviour of the physical universe can be understood from a fundamental point of view. Electromagnetism - electric field and scalar potential, magnetic field and vector potential, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic boundary conditions, electromagnetic wave equation, waveguides, energy in electromagnetism. Electromagnetic wave propagation in vacuum, conducting and dielectric media, and at interfaces. Quantum mechanics - review of the Schrodinger equation, operators, eigenfunctions, compatible observables, infinite well in one and three dimensions, degeneracy; Fourier methods and momentum space; Hermiticity; scalar products of wave functions, completeness relations, matrix mechanics; harmonic oscillator in one and three dimensions; sudden approximation; central potentials, quantisation of angular momentum, separation of radial and angular variables, spherical harmonics, hydrogen atom, spin. Statistical mechanics - classical laws of thermodynamics and their application, postulates of statistical mechanics, statistical interpretation of thermodynamics, microcanonical, canonical and grand canonical ensembles; the methods of statistical mechanics are used to develop the statistics for Bose-Einstein, Fermi-Dirac and photon gases; selected topics from low temperature physics and electrical and thermal properties of matter are discussed.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PHYSICS 3542
    Course Physics III
    Coordinating Unit School of Physical Sciences
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 9 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites PHYSICS 2510, PHYSICS 2534, MATHS 2102 or MATHS 2201, MATHS 2101 or MATHS 2202
    Incompatible PHYSICS 3001, PHYSICS 3018, PHYSICS 3004 & PHYSICS 3009
    Assumed Knowledge PHYSICS 2532
    Course Description This course develops concepts in electromagnetism, quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics such that the behaviour of the physical universe can be understood from a fundamental point of view.

    Electromagnetism - electric field and scalar potential, magnetic field and vector potential, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic boundary conditions, electromagnetic wave equation, waveguides, energy in electromagnetism. Electromagnetic wave propagation in vacuum, conducting and dielectric media, and at interfaces.
    Quantum mechanics - review of the Schrodinger equation, operators, eigenfunctions, compatible observables, infinite well in one and three dimensions, degeneracy; Fourier methods and momentum space; Hermiticity; scalar products of wave functions, completeness relations, matrix mechanics; harmonic oscillator in one and three dimensions; sudden approximation; central potentials, quantisation of angular momentum, separation of radial and angular variables, spherical harmonics, hydrogen atom, spin.
    Statistical mechanics - classical laws of thermodynamics and their application, postulates of statistical mechanics, statistical interpretation of thermodynamics, microcanonical, canonical and grand canonical ensembles; the methods of statistical mechanics are used to develop the statistics for Bose-Einstein, Fermi-Dirac and photon gases; selected topics from low temperature physics and electrical and thermal properties of matter are discussed.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Gavin Rowell

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. define the various fields in electrostatics, magnetostatics and electrodynamics, and to understand how they are related;
    2. explain propagation of electromagnetic waves in various environments;
    3. apply Maxwell's Equations to selected problems;
    4. show an understanding of wave mechanics in three dimensions;
    5. describe the structure of the hydrogen atom and show an understanding of quantisation of angular momentum;
    6. apply techniques such as Fourier methods and ladder operators for selected problems in quantum mechanics;
    7. explain statistical physics and thermodynamics as logical consequences of the postulates of statistical mechanics;
    8. apply the principles of statistical mechanics to selected problems;
    9. apply techniques from statistical mechanics to a range of situations;
    10. use the tools, methodologies, language and conventions of physics to test and communicate ideas and explanation.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-10
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1-10
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1-10
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1,10
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1,10
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1,10
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    Griffiths, D.J. (2000): Introduction to Electrodynamics, 2nd, 3rd or 4th ed. (http://www.AbeBooks.com or http://www.alibris.com/)

    Griffiths, D. J. (2005) Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 2nd ed. (Pearson Prentice Hall) http://academic.reed.edu/physics/faculty/griffiths.html 

    Mandl, F. (1998): Statistical Physics, 2nd edition, Wiley

    Recommended Resources

    Gasiorowicz, S. (2003) Quantum Physics 3rd ed. (Wiley),
    http://www.wiley.com/college/gasiorowicz 

    Bransden, B. H., and Joachain, C. J. (2000) Quantum Mechanics 2nd ed., (Pearson)
    http://stellar.mit.edu/ Register free MIT “Touchstone” account, subject 8.05

    Reif, F. (1965): Fundamentals of Statistical and thermal Physics, McGraw-Hill

    Online Learning

    MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/).

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    This course is delivered by the following means:

    • 6 Lectures of 1 hour each per week
    • 2 Tutorials of 1 hour per week
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 6 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 24 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).

    Learning Activities Summary

    The course content will include the following:

    Coursework Content

    ELECTROMAGNETISM

    • Electrostatics in vacuum (revision)
      • Continuous charge distributions
      • Gauss' law & Curl(E)
      • Electric potential & Conservative fields
    • Special solutions in electrostatics
      • Poisson's and Laplace's equations
      • Methods of relaxation & image charges
    • Magnetostatics in vacuum
      • Div(B) & Curl(B) (revision)
      • Vector potential
    • Time varying fields
      • Flux rule and motional emf
      • displacement current
    • Maxwell's equations in vacuum
    • Electrostatics in matter
      • Electrostatic field energy
      • Displacement field and polarisation
      • Polarisation-gradient forces (Optical tweezers)
    • Magnetostatics in matter
      • H-field, magnetisation
      • Magnetic energy
    • Multipole expansion of potentials
    • Poynting's theorem
    • Maxwell's equations in matter
      • Electromagnetic boundary conditions
    • The wave equation
      • Free space solution in vacuum
      • Waveguides & transmission lines
      • EM waves in conducting media
    • Reflection at dielectric and conducting boundaries
    • The Lorentz electron oscillator and dispersion

    QUANTUM MECHANICS

    • Level II Upgrade
      • Wave vector, operators, expectation values, Schrödinger equation, separation of space and time variables, all done in three dimensions.
    • Fourier Methods
      • Fourier series for infinite square well, coefficients as overlap integrals, Fourier integral and inverse as limiting case, Parseval and convolution properties, Dirac delta function, extension to three dimensions.
      • Quantum mechanics in momentum space: operators and Schrödinger equation, invariance of overlap integrals, wave-packet (group) velocity .
    • Formal Developments
      • Differential operators: Hermitian adjoint, orthonormal eigenfunctions, Gram-Schmidt method for degenerate eigenvalues.
      • Compatible observations, simultaneous eigenstates, 3-D square well (example).
      • Vector space of wave functions, completeness, analogy with spanning a finite space, overlap amplitude as inner product (,), matrix representation, orthonormality for continuous eigenvalues.
    • Harmonic Oscillator
      • Ladder operators, energy eigenfunctions, expectation values via algebraic methods.
      • Series solution (Frobenius) of 2nd order equation.
      • Extension to three dimensions.
      • Sudden approximation.
    • Central Potentials and Angular Momentum
      • Reduced mass, CM frame, orbital L in sphericals, connection between L2 and K.E.
      • Quantisation of L, ladder operators, eigenvalues and eigenstates.
      • Laplacian in sphericals, separation of r and , variables, radial equation with centrifugal barrier, separation of  and  with  = integer, spherical harmonics, parity.
      • H-atom bound states: solution of radial equation (Frobenius), principal quantum number n, simultaneous eigenstates with degeneracy 2n2, structure of periodic table.
      • Spin angular momentum S, polarisations under rotations, total angular momentum; particle spin (examples); Stern-Gerlach experiment, sequential S-G experiments; spinors, Pauli matrices; level-splitting effects in H spectrum (qualitative).

    STATISTICAL MECHANICS

    • The First Law of Thermodynamics
      • Concepts of thermal physics
      • First law of thermodynamics
      • Heat capacities
    • The Second Law of Thermodynamics
      • Direction of natural processes
      • The statistical weight of a macrostate
      • Fundamental postulates of statistical mechanics
      • Derivation of concepts of T and P
      • The Schottky defect
      • Equilibrium of a system in a heat bath
    • Paramagnetism
      • Paramagnetic solid in a heat bath
      • Isolated paramagnetic solid
    • Infinitesimal changes and the Second Law
      • The Fundamental Thermodynamic Relation and Maxwell’s First Relation
      • The Clausius inequality and availability
      • Helmholtz free energy
      • Gibbs free energy
      • Enthalpy
      • Useful work
      • The third law and its consequences
    • Simple thermodynamic systems
      • Other forms of the second law
      • Heat engines and refrigerators
      • The difference of heat capacity
      • Applications to irreversible processes
      • Heat capacity of solids
      • Examples of low temperature behaviour
      • Einstein’s model for heat capacity of solids
    • The Ideal Classical Gas
      • Ideal classical gas
      • The partition function
      • Validity criteria for classical regime
      • Characterizing the ideal classical gas
      • The Maxwell velocity distribution
      • Classical statistical mechanics
    • Quantum statistics
      • The Ideal quantum gas
      • The Gibbs distribution
      • Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distributions
      • The classical limit
      • The free electron model of metals
      • Electronic heat capacity of metals
    • Systems with variable particle numbers
      • Bose-Einstein Condensation
      • Thermodynamics of the Gibbs distribution
    • Diffusion and Random Walk Processes
      • Description of Particle transport theory via diffusion processes
    Specific Course Requirements

    For Statistical Mechanics, prior to each lecture, students are expected to read the lecture notes and answer some online questions. Each lecture will then be built around responses to the online results and feedback.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment task Type of assessment Percentage of total assessment Hurdle
    Yes or No #
    Outcomes being assessed/achieved
    Topic 1 – Electromagnetism Yes * 1, 2, 3, 10
    Assignments, tests & online responses Formative & Summative 7% - 13% No
    Exam 1 (EM) Summative 20% - 26% No
    Topic 2 – Quantum Mechanics Yes * 4, 5, 6, 10
    Assignments, tests & online responses Formative & Summative 7% - 13% No
    Exam 2 (QM) Summative 20% - 26% No
    Topic 3 – Statistical Mechanics Yes * 7 – 10
    Assignments & online responses Formative & Summative 7% - 13% No
    Exam 3 (SM) Summative 20% - 26% No
    Assessment Related Requirements

    To obtain a grade of Pass or better in one of these courses, a student must achieve a result of 50% or better in at least 2 of the 3 topics (Electromagnetism, Quantum Mechanics or Statistical Mechanics).

    Assessment Detail

    Assignments, Tests and online responses
    The mix of assignments and tests will be decided at the start of the semester by negotiation with students. A combination of on-line responses, tests and summative assignments will be used during the semester to address understanding of and ability to use the course material and to provide students a benchmark for the progress in the course (40% of total course grade).

    Examination
    Three 2-hour exams will be used to assess knowledge and understanding of and ability to use the material (60% of total course grade).

    Poor performance in assignments and tests can be partially compensated by a higher weighting of the examination in the final assessment. Online responses to questions in the Statistical Mechanics component will contribute 2% of the final result.

     

    Submission

    Submission of Assigned Work
    Coversheets must be completed and attached to all submitted work. Coversheets can be obtained from the School Office (room G33 Physics) or from MyUNI. Work should be submitted via the assignment drop box at the School Office.

    Extensions for Assessment Tasks
    Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a replacement examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Coordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time. 

    Late submission of assessments
    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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