Physics
130B: Quantum Mechanics Fall 2014
Course Information
Announcements
12/15 - Worksheet 7 and its solutions have been posted.
12/8 - Homework 8 has been posted. It is due before the final exam.
12/4 - Worksheet 6 and its solutions have been posted.
12/1 - The midterm and its solutions have now been posted. Please let me know if there are any typos. Here is a histogram of the grades as well as a question-by-question breakdown.
12/1 - Homework 7 has been posted. It is due December 8. Here is its solution.
11/20 - Homework 6 has been posted. It is due November 27. Here is its solution.
11/15 - An article on the history of the Stern-Gerlach experiment has been posted.
11/13 - Worksheet 5 and its solutions have been posted.
11/13 - Homework 5 has been posted. It is due November 21. Here is its solution.
10/30 - The quiz and its solutions have now been posted. Please let me know if there are any typos. Here is a histogram of the grades as well as a question-by-question breakdown.
10/29 - Worksheet 4 and its solutions have been posted. Here's a Mathematica notebook that does the integral of problem 1.
10/29 - Homework 4 has been posted. It is due November 7. Here is its solution.
10/23 - Worksheet 3 and its solutions have been posted. Also here's a video of someone doing the Dirac belt trick much better than I can.
10/22 - Homework 3 has been posted. It is due October 29. Here is its solution.
10/20 - Worksheet 2 and its solutions have been posted.
10/15 - Homework 2 has been posted. It is due October 22. Here is its solution.
10/14 - Worksheet 1 and its solutions have been posted. Please let Shauna know if there are any typos/errors.
10/7 - Homework 1 has been posted. Here is its solution.
10/5 - Here is the link to Telfer's Review of the Hydrogen Atom
General Information
There are many hot topics involving Quantum Mechanics these days, such as Quantum Computing, Spintronics, Graphene, Superconductivity, etc. However, even things that are now considered every day items including Lasers, Transistors and Magnets are the result of Quantum Mechanics. For some inspiration, I suggest reading Kleppner, D., and Jackiw, R., "One Hundred Years of Quantum Physics," Science 280 893 (2000).
The official Syllabus
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Instructor |
Professor Brian Keating |
Office hours: |
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Teaching Assistant |
Shauna Kravec |
Office hours: |
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Text |
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (2nd editon) by David Griffiths, Pearson Prentice Hall (2005). |
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Course coordinator |
Patti Hey |
MYR-A 2571 |
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Lecture times |
MWF 11:00am - 11:50am PCYNH 121 |
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Discussion |
Wednesday 4:00-4:50pm |
Attendance optional, but could help your participation grade. |
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Quiz |
Friday Oct. 17, 2014 |
PCYNH 121 |
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Midterm |
Friday Nov. 7, 2014 |
PCYNH 121 |
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Final Exam |
TBA |
TBA |
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Sunday-Thursday |
MYR-A 2702 |
Course Description
Physics 130B is the second of three courses dedicated to an advanced undergraduate lecture series on Quantum Mechanics. The course is aimed at students majoring in science and engineering, especially physics. It is a continuation of Physics 130A. We will follow the book as much as we can, but likely in a different order, and with some additions. Topics include perturbation theory, angular momentum/spin, quantum applications and experiments.
We want you to succeed. As part of that, we expect you to read ahead of the class, and start the homework even as it is being discussed in class. I don't cover every topic in class; some I leave to the book. I encourage questions in class, but if you want more individual questions answered, I also recommend going to the office hours, discussion/problem sessions, and the Physics Tutorial Center.
Prerequisites
Physics 130A, partial differential equations. Integral and differential calculus of multivariate functions is required. A basic knowledge of partial differential equations is essential. You must understand complex functions, exponentials, derivatives, and integrals. In particular, you must understand the polar forms of complex multiplication and division. Phasors are crucial. It is very helpful to understand basic statistics, and linear algebra (matrices).
Discussion and Problem Sessions
There is a weekly discussion session, hosted by the TA. The topics are driven by student questions during the session. This is a chance for you to get answers to your questions. After working on the homework, please come with good questions. You should ask, “I tried doing the problem this way, and ran into a roadblock. Can you help me through it?” Or, “What concept do I use to get started on this problem?” (You should not ask, “How do I do this problem?”)
Discussion is over when the questions end, and the TA is satisfied.
Homework
The purpose of homework is to help
learning.
To understand the material, you must practice solving problems.
Problems will be assigned roughly weekly. Homework is part of your grade.
Just like in the real world, clarity and ease of reading count. Please staple pages together, and put your full name and Student ID on every page. No ragged spiral edges, please. You are welcome to turn things in early. However, I will only accept the first submission and no corrections. So, before you turn it in, make sure it's what you want to turn in. Secondly, you may submit your homework electronically as long as it is in .pdf format. This is for your benefit, as other formats will likely have conversion problems from computer to computer.
The first step in solving a problem is often the most difficult, so it is very important for you to start work on your own. After you’ve made an effort on each problem, I encourage you to work in groups, but in the end, the homework you turn in must be your own work, and you will be expected to be able to answer questions and reproduce any part of it. Finding solutions on the world wide web or other places is not considered your own work.
Learning physics is about understanding why a solution works,
rather than just getting the correct results.
Blindly plugging into formulas is useless.
Late homework should be dropped at the TA’s office (slip under door if needed), as soon as you can. Late homework may be marked down.
Midterms
- There are no make-up exams. If you anticipate missing an exam due to unavoidable circumstances, you must discuss this with the instructor in the first week. There is no guarantee that you can be accommodated, and you will likely have to drop or withdraw from the class.
- Please do not ask to take any exam early or late; to be fair to everyone, the answer is always “No.”
- Exams may ask about any concept discussed in class or in HW. They may be different than HW questions, though some may be similar.
- All exams are cumulative, and may include anything covered so far.
- You may use One original crib sheet (size 8.5”x11”) in your own handwriting during the exam.
- You may wish to bring some blank scratch paper to the exam.
Final Exam
Your student I.D. is required to take the final exam.
The final will be like a big midterm. You may wish to bring some blank scratch paper.
Course Grade
HW, midterm, final, class participation all count. Homework 30% , Quiz 10%, Midterm Exam 20%, Class Participation 10%, Final Exam 30%.
Plusses and minuses at instructor discretion. Actual grades may be higher if warranted by overall class performance, but don’t count on it.
Academic Integrity
Every honest student benefits from maintaining high academic integrity. Please read “UCSD Policy on Integrity of Scholarship” in the UCSD General Catalog, http://www.ucsd.edu/catalog/front/AcadRegu.html. These rules will be rigorously enforced. Any confirmed case of cheating will result in an “F” grade in this course, and referral to the dean for disciplinary action. Cheating includes submitting another person’s work as your own; copying from another student on homework, or exams; knowingly allowing another student to copy from you; use of unauthorized materials during a quiz or exam; or any attempt to obtain a higher grade by means other than honest effort. Cheating also includes attempts to manipulate grades unfairly; and intentionally misusing code numbers.
Last Update: 09/30/2014 15:00 PST