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ELEMENTS AND APPLICATIONS OF MODERN PHYSICS

CODE 90693
ACADEMIC YEAR 2022/2023
CREDITS
  • 6 cfu during the 1st year of 9011 MATEMATICA(LM-40) - GENOVA
  • SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR FIS/03
    TEACHING LOCATION
  • GENOVA
  • SEMESTER 2° Semester
    TEACHING MATERIALS AULAWEB

    OVERVIEW

    "Elementi e Applicazioni di Fisica Moderna" (EAFM, code 90693) is a 7 credits worth class held during the second semester of the First year of the "Laurea Magistrale". Lectures are held in Italian. Study material for subscribing students can be found on the AulaWeb website.

    AIMS AND CONTENT

    LEARNING OUTCOMES

    The course provides a basic knowledge on several topics concerning modern physics, with a particular emphasis on quantum mechanics and some topics of special relativity. The aim is stimulating interest and comprehension of several physical phenomena related to these topics and to highlight important applications, especially in the field of the structure of matter.

    AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

    The student should acquire a knowledge of the fundamental quantum and relativistic phenomena and their role in shaping the principal physical and chemical phenomena (e.g. the electronic structer of atoms) as well as how general purpose devices (such as lasers), innovative technologies (such as the GPS) and even advanced instrumentation (such as electron microscopes) work.

    TEACHING METHODS

    Traditional: oral lectures and examples worked out by teachers.

    SYLLABUS/CONTENT

    1. Introduction to Special Relativity

      Short recapitulation about classical relativity, the electromagnetic waves equation
      The Michelson-Morley experiment
      Einstein postulates
      Lorentz transformations
      A brief introduction to relativistic dynamics
      Applications
       
    2. Quantum mechanics

      2.1 Wave-matter dualism for electromagnetic radiation
      Recapitulations about the interference of electromagnetic waves
      The photoelectric effect, the concept of photon
      Blackbody radiation
      Principle of complementarity, probabilistic interpretation
      Uncertainty relationship for photons

      2.2 Wave-matter dualism for matter 
      Atomic phenomena: emission spectra and the Bohr model
      The De Broglie hypothesis
      Interference effects among particles
      The Heisenberg uncertainty principle and wave packets

      2.3 The Schroedinger equation
      Stationary and time-dependent equation
      Probabilistic interpretation of the wave function
      Particle in a box
      Tunnel effect
      Application: scanning tunnel microscope and atomic force microscope

      2.4 Atomic models and particle statistics
      Hydrogen atom, spin, statistics
      The Pauli exclusion principle
      Fermi and Bose statistics
      Many-electron atoms
       

    RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

    K. S. Krane "Modern Physics, 3rd edition" (Wiley)
    V. A. Ugarov "Special Relativity" (MIR)

    TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

    Exam Board

    MAURA SASSETTI (President)

    DARIO FERRARO

    FABIO CAVALIERE (President Substitute)

    GIOVANNI RIDOLFI (Substitute)

    LESSONS

    LESSONS START

    The class will start according to the lecturing calendar approved by the "Consiglio di Corso di Studi".

    Class schedule

    All class schedules are posted on the EasyAcademy portal.

    EXAMS

    EXAM DESCRIPTION

    Oral examination

    ASSESSMENT METHODS

    The oral examination will allow to assess the knowledge of the fundamental quantum and relativistic phenomena and the ability to identify their role in the explanation of natural phenomena and of the working principles of devices and technologies as discussed in the course.