The aim of this course is to provide insights on scientific discoveries and theories developed in the 1800s and in the 1900s such as Relativity and Quantum Mechanics.

01. REVIEW OF ELECTROMAGNETISM
01.01 Maxwell equations in integral and differential form.
01.02 Propagation of electromagnetic waves and Poyinting vector.
01.03 Electromagnetic wave spectrum.

02. SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES IN THE 1800s AND IN THE 1900s
02.01 Discovery of radioactivity.
02.02 Discovery of the electron.
02.03 Planck's law of black-body radiation.

03. SPECIAL RELATIVITY
03.01 Postulates of special relativity.
03.02 Time dilation.
03.03 Doppler effect for light.
03.04 Length contraction.
03.05 Lorentz transformation.
03.06 Invariance of Maxwell equations.
03.07 Equivalence principle and conservation laws.

04. Introduction to Quantum mechanics.
04.01 Particles and waves.
04.02 Photoelectric effect.
04.03 X rays.
04.04 X-ray diffraction.
04.05 Compton effect.
04.06 de Broglie waves.
04.07 Particle and photon energy.
04.08 Atomic structure.
04.09 Atomic models.
04.10 Wave equation.
04.11 Particles confined in a box.
04.12 Uncertainty principle.
04.13 Reflection and transmission  at a potential barrier.
04.14 Tunnel effect.
04.15 Harmonic oscillator.
04.16 Schrodinger equation for the hydrogen atom.
04.17 Quantum numbers.
04.18 Zeeman effect.
04.19 Spin.

There are no mandatory prerequisites for this exam.

Knowledge and understanding

At the end of this course, each student  will know to understand and solve problems of Modern Physics of average difficulty as required by the number of teaching hours

Applying knowledge and understanding

At the end of the course the students will be able to apply the laws of Modern Physics to simple problems of Quantum Mechanics and Relativity

Making judgements:

The students will be able to apply their knowledge to problems not discussed during the teaching hours.

Communication skills:

Each student is  more than recommended to ask questions during this course and to participate to discussions in order  to improve  his/her ability to present his/her work

At the end of the course the students will be able to present and discuss problems of Modern Physics with proper language and mathematical formalism required by the topics.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The teaching material related to the supporting activities prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Theory lectures and written applications

Attendance

Although recommended, the course attendance is not mandatory.

Course books

Cesare Rossetti, "Rudimenti di Meccanica Quantistica", Levrotto & Bella editori, 2011.

Robert Resnick, "Introduzione alla relatività ristretta", Casa editrice Ambrosiana, Milano, 1983

Arthur Beiser, "Concepts of Modern Physics", International Student Edition, Singapore, 1984

Assessment

Oral test.

The oral test consists of three questions (theoretical questions or exercises) on different topics of the program.  To each  question/excercise is given a mark from 0 to 10 for a maximum of 30/30. Therefore, the exam is graded out of thirty.

The topic of the first question is chosen by the student who presents a dissertation with mathematical proofs.  

The second and the third questions are formulated on the basis of a random extraction from all the topics. 

For this exam we opted for a single oral test as the application part is included in the demonstrations of the physical processes discovered between the end of the 19th century and the first 30 years of the 20th century.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Same as for attending students

Attendance

Same as for attending students

Course books

Cesare Rossetti, "Rudimenti di Meccanica Quantistica", Levrotto & Bella editori, 2011.

Robert Resnick, "Introduzione alla relatività ristretta", Casa editrice Ambrosiana, Milano, 1983 - Chapter six Relativity and Electromagnetism

Arthur Beiser, "Concepts of Modern Physics", International Student Edition, Singapore, 1984

Assessment

Same as for attending students

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.