OVERVIEW

"Elementi e Applicazioni di Fisica Moderna" (EAFM, code 90693) is a 6 credits (52 hours) worth class held during the second semester of the First or Second year of the "Laurea Magistrale" in Mathematics. Lectures are held in Italian, apart an explicit requirement do held them in english. Study material for subscribing students can be found on the AulaWeb website.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides a basic knowledge on various themes of modern physics, with particular reference to quantum mechanics and with aspects of the theory of special relativity. The goal is to stimulate the interest and understanding of physical phenomena associated with these topics, also highlighting important applications, particularly in the field of the structure of matter.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides basic knowledge of modern physics. At the end of the course the student will have acquired the skills necessary to understand the main phenomena of special relativity and the foundations of quantum mechanics by addressing these topics from both a historical and conceptual point of view.  This knowledge will be fundamental for those wishing to undertake the teaching of physics in high school.

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
   
   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

   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
   
   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
   
   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

FABIO CAVALIERE (President)

MAURA SASSETTI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

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

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

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.

Exam schedule