Course detail
General Physics IV (Modern Physics)
FSI-TF4 Acad. year: 2019/2020 Summer semester
The course is concerned with atomic structure of matter, relation of observations in real and reciprocal space, particle character of light (photons), particle and wave character of electrons and particles (atoms, molecules, etc.), fundamentals of quantum mechanics, atoms and their spectra, electronic structure of many atom systems – molecules and solids, fundamentals of nuclear physics.
The course also forms the necessary prerequisite for studying quantum mechanics.
Language of instruction
Czech
Number of ECTS credits
7
Supervisor
Department
Learning outcomes of the course unit
The knowledge of laws of modern physics and ability to apply the basic principles to simple physical systems in order to explain and predict the behaviour of such systems.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of Newtonian mechanics, oscillations, electromagnetism and optics on the level defined by the textbook HALLIDAY, D. – RESNICK, R. – WALKER, J. Fundamentals of Physics. J. Wiley and Sons.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course is taught through lectures explaining the basic principles and theory of the discipline. Exercises are focused on practical topics presented in lectures.
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes
The exam is combined (written and oral).
Aims
The course objective is to provide students with basic ideas of modern physics in order to be capable of understanding microscopical nature of matter and principles, which the advanced materials technologies and modern experimental methods are based on.
Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences
Attendance at seminars is required and recorded by the tutor. Missed seminars have to be compensated.
The study programmes with the given course
Programme B3A-P: Applied Sciences in Engineering, Bachelor's
branch B-FIN: Physical Engineering and Nanotechnology, compulsory
Type of course unit
Lecture
39 hours, optionally
Teacher / Lecturer
Syllabus
1. Atomic structure of matter
Evolution of the atomic theory. Indirect evidence from chemistry and crystallography. Direct evidence: diffraction and microscopic methods: XRD, LEED, STM/AFM. Observation of atoms, molecules, surfaces and volume of matter.
2. Photons and matter waves
The photon – the quantum of light (photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, the double-slit experiment with photons). Electrons and matter waves (the double-slit experiment with electrons). Diffraction of
3. Fundamentals of quantum mechanics
The wave function and Schroedinger equation, probability density. Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle. Barrier tunnelling. One-dimensional electron traps – quantisation. Quantum jumps – absorption and emission of photon. Two- and three dimensional electron traps.
4. Atom
Nuclear atom, atomic spectra. One-electron approximation. Three pillars of electronic structure: quantization of energy and angular momentum, spin and Pauli principle. Atoms in magnetic field (Zeeman effect and Stern-Gerlach experiment). Walk through the periodic system and its interpretation. Atomic spectroscopy (the absorption and emission spectroscopy as a fingerprinting). Photoelectron spectroscopy. Lasers. Magnetic properties of atoms.
5. Molecules and solids
Main types of the chemical bonds (ionic, covalent, metallic, van der Waals). The structure of small molecules and their spectra. The structure of solids. The electronic bandstructure of solids – metal and insulator. Semiconductors. Conductivity of metals and semiconductors.
6. Fundamentals of nuclear and particle physics
Proton and neutron. Nuclear properties. Nuclear binding energies. Radioactive decay. Nuclear reactions; nuclear models; nuclear fission and fusion. … and particles, particles, particles.
Exercise
22 hours, compulsory
Teacher / Lecturer
Syllabus
Schedule of tutorials: http://physics.fme.vutbr.cz/ufi.php?Action=0&Id=56
Computer-assisted exercise
4 hours, compulsory
Syllabus
Students will make computer simulations of Schrödinger’s equation solutions. In the surface and interface physics laboratory they will be acquainted with applications of basic quantum mechanical phenomena (Scanning probe microscopy techniques: AFM, STM), in particular, in the rapidly developing field of nanotechnology.