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 is intended to prepare students for teaching topics related to Modern Physics as covered in upper secondary schools. Its primary objective is to develop a olid foundation skills in quantum mechanics and special relativity, while promoting a deep understanding of the physical phenomena associated with these subjects. In doing so, it aims to equip future educators with the necessary knowledge and pedagocial tools to teach this portion of the school programm with confidence and competence, also highlighting relevant applications in the field of modern quantum technologies.

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.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements

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, interference.
   The Michelson-Morley experiment
   Einstein postulates
   Lorentz transformations, examples
   A brief introduction to relativistic dynamics
   
    
2. Quantum mechanics
   
   Wave-matter dualism for electromagnetic radiation
   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.
   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

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/11907/studenti-orario

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.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Compensatory and dispensatory measures Disability/Invalidity/Specific Learning Disorder

Dispensatory measures and compensatory tools are intended to enable students to achieve the same learning objectives as their fellow students, not to facilitate the examination.

The use of compensatory tools and the application of dispensatory measures must be authorised in advance by the teacher in agreement with the Referee.

To take advantage of the adaptations during the examination, fill in the Adaptation request form; the request will be automatically sent by the system to the teacher in charge of the teaching, to the Contact Person of your School/Area/Department and in copy to the Sector; you will also receive a copy of the request sent by e-mail.

The adjustments available to students are as follows:

• Additional time (+30% DSA)
• Additional time (+50% disability/invalidity)
• Additional time during oral exams to organise the answer
• Calculator (programmable and graphing calculators are not allowed)
• Conceptual Maps
• Tables and/or Forms
• Take the exam in written form
• Take the exam in oral form
• Tutor reader (for written tests only)
• Tutor-writer (for written tests only)

Your request for adaptations must be submitted at least 7 working days before the scheduled exam date.

All information for students with disabilities and DSA is available on the webpage: Services for students with disabilities or DSA | UniGe | University of Genoa

Reference for inclusion: Sergio Di Domizio - sergio.didomizio@unige.it