Teacher(s)
Language
English
Prerequisites
It is recommended that students master the notions of classical mechanics including in particular wave phenomena as developed in the LPHYS1113 course and thermodynamics as developed in the LPHYS1114 course.
Main themes
This teaching unit consists of an introduction to the conceptual and physical bases of quantum physics, which governs the microscopic world.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | a. Contribution of the teaching units to the learning outcomes of the programme 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 b. Specific learning outcomes of the teaching unit At the end of this teaching unit, the student will be able to : 1. describe phenomena of the microscopic world by the formalism of wave mechanics and understand the fundamental differences with classical physics; 2. understand and use the relationship between operators and observables; 3. solve the one-dimensional Schrödinger equation in the presence of different potentials, including that of the harmonic oscillator; 4. determine the temporal evolution of a quantum system; 5. understand the concept of quantum entanglement. |
Content
Complementary to the teaching units LPHY1111, LPHY1112, LPHY 1221 and LPHY1202, which laid the foundations of classical mechanics, relativistic mechanics, electromagnetism, wave physics and mathematical methods in physics, the teaching unit provides the student with an introduction to the conceptual bases of quantum physics of the microscopic world.
The following subjects are covered in the teaching unit :
The following subjects are covered in the teaching unit :
- Discovery and observation of quantum phenomena in the microscopic world.
- Feynman probability amplitude concept.
- The Schrödinger equation.
- Examples of one-dimensional solutions and physical applications.
- The harmonic oscillator.
- The principle of linear superposition and temporal evolution.
- Uncertainty (indeterminacy) relationships.
- Quantum entanglement.
Teaching methods
The learning activities consist of lectures (ex cathedra) and practical work sessions.
The lectures are intended to introduce the fundamental concepts, to motivate them by showing examples and establishing results, to show their reciprocal links and their relations with other teaching units of the Bachelor's programme in physics.
The practical work sessions aim at learning to model phenomena of microscopic physics through quantum physics, to choose and use calculation methods for their analysis and to interpret the results obtained.
Both activities are face-to-face.
The lectures are intended to introduce the fundamental concepts, to motivate them by showing examples and establishing results, to show their reciprocal links and their relations with other teaching units of the Bachelor's programme in physics.
The practical work sessions aim at learning to model phenomena of microscopic physics through quantum physics, to choose and use calculation methods for their analysis and to interpret the results obtained.
Both activities are face-to-face.
Evaluation methods
The evaluation is based on a written exam on the theoretical notions and their application to problems of the physics of the microscopic world. It tests the knowledge and understanding of the notions presented during the teaching unit, the ability to analyze a quantum physics problem, the mastery of calculation techniques and the coherent presentation of this analysis
Online resources
This teaching unit is present on MoodleUCL, where students can find the syllabus, practical exercises, and additional material.
Bibliography
- J. Weyers, Quantum Physics, Syllabus (disponible sur MoodleUCL).
- D. J. Griffiths, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, ed. Pearson .
- R. P. Feynman, The Feynman Lectures on Physics, vol III , ed. Addison Wesley.
- C. Cohen-Tannoudji, B. Diu, F. Laloë, Quantum mechanics I and II
Faculty or entity
