PHYS 206 Foundations of Modern Physics


4 semester hours

An introduction to special relativity (SR), quantum mechanics (QM), and statistical thermodynamics (ST). Selected topics include (SR) frames of reference, Minkowski diagrams and space time structure, causality, Lorentz transformations, four-vectors and Lorentz invariants, relativistic conservation laws. (QM) failures of classical theory, wave-particle duality, models of the hydrogen atom, emission spectra, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, wave functions and probability, the Schrodinger equation. (ST) Statistical interpretation of entropy, the Laws of Thermodynamics.

Lecture, 3 hours; Laboratory, 2 hours.

Prerequisites: PHYS 201  or PHYS 254 ; MATH 245  or concurrent enrollment.

University Core fulfilled: Flag: Quantitative Reasoning.




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